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Light Up Night 2024

November 21, 2024 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Kick off the holiday season with Light Up Night on Thursday, November 21 from 5-8pm on Fraser Street’s MLK Plaza and the 100 block of Allen Street in Downtown State College!
Enjoy a winter carnival with hot drinks, visits with Santa, free trolley rides, performances, catch the new holiday lighting display, and much more!
Get a jump on your holiday shopping at our local Artisan Market and stop by to visit with live reindeer and learn more about these fascinating creatures!
Stop by the Light Up Night Art Exhibition opening reception in the State College Municipal Building Lobby from 5-7pm!
The night culminates with Santa and one lucky child lighting the evergreen tree at the Allen Street Gates! Bring a toy for Toys for Tots or an non-perishable food Item for the YMCA Backpack Program (link for specific food needs) by 7pm, and your child will be entered for a chance to help Santa light the tree.

In the MLK Plaza:

  • Free hot cocoa and popcorn courtesy of the State College Lions Foundation
  • Free donut sample and coffee from Duck Donuts (and stop inside for a BOGO donut deal!)
  • Stop by the table outside The Makery and grab a glow stick, some little tinkly bells and festive beads and make a light up necklace
  • Join UPUA for stuffed animals, arts and crafts, and mini candy canes
  • Take a ride on the free trolley, running 5-8pm.
  • Warm up at Tempest Studios (140 Kelly Alley) with stories, crafts, and treats!
  • Catch the kickoff of the annual lightshow in the MLK Plaza, designed by Nittany Entertainment, at 7pm!
  • We will have a collection station for Toys for Tots & YMCA Backpack Program in the MLK Plaza – drop by with your donation by 7pm for the chance to light the tree with Santa!

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 (check out the schedule below)
  • Street performers, organized by Tempest Productions!
  • Local Artisan Market Vendors (check out list of vendors below)
  • Live Reindeer sponsored by these generous downtown businesses: Growing Tree Toys and Lions Pride
  • Monster D’s unique monster drawings
  • Balloon animals by Nittany Balloons
  • Winter-themed craft by Appalachian Outdoors
  • Hot Cider from Way Fruit Farm
  • Free stickies and coffee courtesy of The Corner Room (and stop inside The Corner Room for hot chocolate and baked goods!)
  • Free Hot Cocoa Bar inside Kish Bank
  • Warm-up station in Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop
  • YMCA accepting donations for the YMCA Backpack Program – donate by 7pm for the chance to light the tree with Santa!
  • We will have another collection station for Toys for Tots at the DID table – drop by with your donation by 7pm for the chance to light the tree with Santa!
  • Santa will light the tree at the Allen Street Gates at 7:30pm with the help of the winning child from the Toys for Tots & YMCA Backpack Program drawing!

Allen St Stage Schedule:

  • 5:30pm Quintessential Brass Quintet
  • 6:00pm Unity Church of Jesus Christ/Calvary Harvest View/Greys Woods Gospel Singers
  • 6:30pm NOTA A Capella
  • 7:00pm Central PA Dance Workshop
  • 7:20pm Santa Chooses Child to Light the Tree
  • 7:30pm Santa & Friends Light the Tree

Artisan Market Vendors:

While you are out, take a stroll down to the Enchanted Forest on Locust Lane and vote for your favorite non-profit tree in our Downtown Holiday Tree Challenge! The non-profit with the tree that receives the most votes receives a $1,000 donation from the Downtown Improvement District!

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