Kick off the holiday season in style at Light Up Night, a magical evening packed with festive fun for the whole family! What to Expect: Winter Carnival Free hot drinks Visits with Santa Free trolley rides Live performances Tree Lighting with Santa Live reindeer encounters Local Artisan Market + Krist KIDL Market New Holiday Light Show in the Plaza Bring your holiday cheer, and a donation! Every child who brings a new toy for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable food item for the YMCA Backpack Program by 7 PM will be entered for a chance to help Santa light the Downtown Evergreen Tree at the Allen Street Gates! NEW THIS YEAR: Get a head start on your entry! From October 20 through November 19, drop off donations at: Growing Tree Toys Downtown Improvement District Office (127 S. Fraser Street) Don't Miss: Take a stroll through the Enchanted Forest on Locust Lane and vote for your favorite tree in the Downtown Holiday Tree Challenge! The non-profit with the most votes wins a $1,000 donation from the Downtown Improvement District. Mark your calendar, bundle up, and join us for one of the most magical nights of the year in Downtown State College! Experience Light Up Night: https://youtu.be/drlT8j-Nsac In the MLK Plaza: -Free hot cocoa and popcorn courtesy of the State College Lions Foundation & Kish Bank -Take a ride on the free trolley, running 5-8pm. -Warm up at Tempest Studios (140 Kelly Alley) with stories, crafts, and treats! -Make a Glow Stick Jingle Bell necklace with The Makery -Free donut samples and in-store BOGO provided by Duck Donuts -Free stuffed animal craft provided by UPUA -Take a selfie with the gingerbread mural by Faces and Spaces Artistry -Catch the kickoff of the annual lightshow in the MLK Plaza, designed by Nittany Entertainment, at 7pm! In Calder Way (between Allen St and Kelly Aly): -New this year! Krist KIDL Market featuring young local makers provided by the Central PA Festival of the Arts On Allen St: -Santa will arrive at the Allen Street Gates on the Alpha Fire Company truck at 5pm and will be on Allen St until 7pm. This is your chance to visit with Santa and get a photo! -Stage performances by local musical & dance groups -Donations accepted: For a chance to light the tree with Santa, donations will be collected for Toys for Tots and the YMCA Backpack program (Travelin’ Table) at the Downtown Improvement District table until 7:00pm during Light Up Night. -Free craft provided by Appalachian Outdoors -McLanahan’s Downtown Market -Visit the twinkle tractor + free apple cider provided by Way Fruit Farm -Free coffee & Sticky Buns provided by The Corner Room, seasonal Burnt End Chili from Bill Pickle's, and merch for sale -Live Reindeer by Spruce Ridge Reindeer -Free Monster Drawings by Monster D -Free Balloon Animals by Nittany Balloons -Visit with CATA's mini bus Tripper -Roaming Street Performances by Tempest Productions -Food vendors – available for purchase: Idou Coffee & Naughty Nutz -Local Artisan Market -Stories of State College – Share a favorite family tradition, from any season, as we celebrate the diverse faiths, heritage, and traditions of our community. -Sensory Friendly Warming Station with Tea in the Woskob Family Gallery (146 S Allen St) -Warming Station in Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop (103 S Allen St) Allen St Stage Schedule: -5:30pm Nittany Highland Pipe Band -6:00pm Trumpet Choir at Penn State -6:30pm Unity Church of Jesus Christ/Calvary Harvest View/Greys Woods Gospel Singers -7:00pm Central PA Dance Workshop -7:25pm Santa Chooses Child to Light the Tree -7:30pm Santa & Friends Light the Tree Artisan Market Vendors: -Annie Vidunas Ceramics -Dainty Designs -Folds and Stitches Earrings -Hook, Line, & Painter -Kabumello -Keystone Stitches -Mandoloom -MollyauContraire -Rise and Design Art Studio -Scents Candle Co -SCK Glassworks -Second Season Mittens -The inkSpott -Toast and Co.
