A winter carnival atmosphere will fill the streets of downtown State College on Thursday to ring in the holiday season.
Hosted by the Downtown State College Improvement District, the fifth annual Light Up Night will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the MLK Plaza on Fraser Street, the 100 block of South Allen Street and the Allen Street Gates. The night will feature hot beverages, free trolley rides, lighting displays, live reindeer, an artisan market, photos with Santa and more.
“Light Up Night is the perfect kickoff to the holiday season in downtown State College,” DSCID Executive Director Lee Anne Jeffries said in a statement. “We’re excited to bring our community together for an evening of joy, laughter, and holiday spirit.”
Santa Claus will arrive on an Alpha Fire Company truck at 5 p.m. at the Allen Street Gates and will be available for photos until 7 p.m. before being joined by friends to light the Christmas tree at 7:30 p.m. Families can bring a toy for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable food Item for the YMCA Backpack Program to collection stations in the MLK Plaza and on South Allen Street until 7 p.m. to be entered for a chance for their child to light the tree with Santa
Before the tree lighting, though, there will be much to see and do throughout the downtown.
Allen Street
Stage performances by local music and dance groups and street performers from Tempest Productions will entertain on South Allen Street, where there will also be a local artisan market and live reindeer. Other entertainment and activities will include balloon animals by Nittany Balloons, drawings by Monster D and a winter-themed craft from Appalachian Outdoors.
Festival-goers can also get warm with hot cider from Way Fruit Farm, stickies and coffee courtesy of The Corner Room, a hot cocoa bar inside Kish Bank and warm-up stations at The Corner Room and Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop.
New this year is the Light Up Night Art Exhibition shining a spotlight on the fall and winter celebrations and traditions held by Centre County community members. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the State College Municipal Building.
Visitors are also are encouraged to take a stroll to visit the “Enchanted Forest” on Locust Lane, where they can vote for their favorite trees decorated by local nonprofits. The nonprofit that receives the most votes will receive a $1,000 donation from the DSCID.
MLK Plaza
Free trolley rides starting at the plaza and traveling around downtown will be available from 5 to 8 p.m..
The Makery will offer a free craft activity to make a light-up necklace, and the University Park Undergraduate Association will be on hand for stuffed animals, arts and crafts,and mini candy canes.
Duck Donuts will have free donut samples and coffee, and the Lions Club will provide free popcorn and hot cocoa. A warm-up station will be available inside Tempest Studios, 140 Kelly Alley, behind the plaza.
The annual holiday light show, designed by Nittany Entertainment, will debut at 7 p.m. and will be on display throughout the season.
