A Decade of Dazzle: 10th Annual Downtown Light Up Lakewood Event to Spread Holiday Cheer On December 3
Festive, Family-Friendly Community Event Expected to Draw Thousands
It’s a most joyous of Lakewood traditions and it’s back in Downtown Lakewood for a 10th consecutive year. The spirit of the season will come to life with holiday cheer when Light Up Lakewood 2016 takes place on Saturday, December 3.
Presented by LakewoodAlive in conjunction with many generous businesses and organizations, Light Up Lakewood celebrates the season and the richness of the city’s vibrancy. This free, family-friendly event in Downtown Lakewood features a holiday parade, lighting ceremony, winter fireworks, live music, ice carvings, hot chocolate, food trucks, children’s games and much more.
Attendees are invited to stroll Lakewood's downtown district and visit local stores and restaurants while taking in the sights and sounds of one of Northeast Ohio's largest holiday celebrations. Light Up Lakewood serves as a marquee event for the entire region, having drawn an estimated 25,000 guests last year.
Light Up Lakewood represents a day-long celebration that starts with Lunch with Santa at Dewey's Pizza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and doesn't end until the music stops playing at 8 p.m. Guests' sensory perceptions will be delighted by the twinkle of holiday lights, the cheerful sounds of carolers and the warmth exuded by the festive, friendly atmosphere.
Highlights include Vendor Village inside the historic Masonic Hall, the ever-popular Holiday Parade, live entertainment provided by bands, choirs and dancers, the Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the newly-located Main Stage at City Center Park and a can't-miss fireworks show at 6:45 p.m. over the rooftops of Downtown Lakewood.
"Light Up Lakewood is our signature community event and we're thrilled to welcome thousands of Lakewoodites and visitors from across the region yet again," said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. "Whether you're feeling the spirit of the holiday season or simply wish to enjoy a festive urban atmosphere, perhaps no event better showcases our city's vibrancy than this long-standing Lakewood tradition."
For more information and continued updates, please visit LightUpLakewood.com.
Schedule of Events for Light Up Lakewood 2016:
- 11 am – 1 pm – Lunch with Santa at Dewey’s Pizza
- 11 am – 4:30 pm – Ongoing performances at Barton Center with a surprise visitor
- 3 pm – King and Queen Ceremony at Plantation Home
- 4 pm – Festival Kickoff with Vendor Village and Food Court opening
- 5 pm – Start of Parade at Manor Park and Detroit Avenue, headed westbound on Detroit
- 5 pm – 8:30 pm – Santa visits Lakewood Public Library
- 5:30 pm – 8 pm – Ongoing performances at Lakewood Public Library
- 6:30 pm – Lighting Ceremony at Main Stage at City Center Park (in front of the Marc’s Plaza)
- 6:45 pm – Fireworks Show
LakewoodAlive is currently seeking volunteers to assist with Light Up Lakewood 2016. Enthusiastic volunteers are needed for:
- Setup (2- or 4-hour session)
- Tear Down (2-hour session)
- Greeting (2- or 4-hour session)
- Day of Event Festivity (2-hour session)
If interested in volunteering your time for this fun, family-friendly event, please contact Lisa at 216-521-0655 or LLaRochelle@lakewoodalive.org.
Light Up Lakewood 2016 is generously supported by the following sponsors: First Federal Lakewood, City of Lakewood, Phillips Edison & Company, Convey360, Discount Drug Mart, Lakewood Anglican Church, Plantation Home, Roundstone Insurance, The University of Akron Lakewood, Dewey's Pizza, IMCD US, Lakewood Hardware, Lakewood Masonic Temple and Lakewood Public Library.
Matt Bixenstine is the Marketing & Development Manager for LakewoodAlive. He enjoys all things Lakewood, especially walking his basset hound through Madison Park.
Matt Bixenstine
I am the Marketing & Development Manager for LakewoodAlive. I enjoy all things Lakewood, especially walking my basset hound through Madison Park.