The city of Youngstown and Youngstown Cityscape will host their annual Holiday Parade and Light-Up Night Friday. The event occurs from 4-8 p.m.
The downtown celebration includes an open-air holiday market, family-friendly activities, live music and a visit from Santa.
The holiday parade begins at 6 p.m. and will be immediately followed by the downtown tree lighting ceremony (approximately 7:15 p.m.)
A shuttle service will run continuously during the event. In addition, accessible drop-off and parade viewing locations are available front of the DoubleTree Hotel on Central Square. Pickups occur at 250 E. Federal St.
The parade and tree lighting are presented by the city of Youngstown, Youngstown CityScape and the Downtown Youngstown Partnership. Main Stage title sponsors include Cochran Buick/GMC and WesBanco. WFMJ is the media sponsor and Platt Insurance will provide commemorative mugs.
Downtown restaurants will open during the festivities. A schedule of activities appears below.
Activities
SMARTS Holiday Open House. MARTS, 25 E. Boardman St., downtown Youngstown 44503. 330-574-2787. Features SMARTS teaching artists and staff demonstrations, hands-on arts activities and light refreshments. 1-6 p.m.
Oh Wow! Open House. OH Wow! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, 15 Central Square, downtown Youngstown 44503. 330-744-5914. Santa’s Workshop will be held on the third floor of OH WOW with free photos with Santa from 3-5:15 p.m. Includes other things to see. 3-8 p.m.
Pop-Up Library. Central Square, downtown Youngstown 44503. The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host. 4-8 p.m.
717 Credit Union on the Square. Central Square, southeast section, downtown Youngstown 44503. Free hot cocoa, prizes and giveaways for the family.
Flea on Phelps. (between West Federal and West Commerce streets), downtown Youngstown 44503. The Youngstown Flea will present its annual holiday open-air market. Features local and regional merchants selling art, collectibles, jewelry, candles, coffee, sweets and baked goods. 4-8 p.m.
YSU Art Student Holiday Art Show. Concept Studio, 217 W. Federal St., Youngstown 44503. Original art will be on display and available for sale. 5-8 p.m.
DeYor Performing Arts Center/Powers Auditorium. 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown 44503. Sal Valentinetti will perform. 8 p.m.
Holiday Parade and Light-Up Night
Holiday Parade. Central business district, downtown Youngstown. The parade originates in the Covelli Centre parking lot. Note: parking at the Covelli Centre lots is reserved for parade participants. Parade route: straight (north) onto South Walnut, left (west) onto Front Street, right onto Vindicator Square, right onto West Federal Street, proceeds east toward Central Square and the review stand, continues east on East Federal, turns right on S. Walnut Street, proceeds south on S. Walnut Street to the Covelli Centre parking lot. 6-7 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lighting. Central Square, downtown Youngstown. Light-Up Night kicks the switch for the downtown Christmas tree and lights around Central Square (and throughout downtown). The Christmas tree lighting begins immediately after the parade at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Other activities
11th annual “Sing-a-Long with Drew and Kin.” Penguin City Brewing Company. 460 E. Federal St., Youngstown 44503. 330-755-0709. Penguin Productions will present “Sing-A-Long with Drew & Kin.” The taproom will offer a collaborative, commemorative holiday parade mug (available for purchase) for hot toddies and hot chocolate. Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts will be serving hot dogs and tater tots. In addition, Penguin will have root beer floats made with Penguin City Root Beer and ice cream from Cockeye Creamery. 7-10:30 p.m.
Who’s Holiday? Hopewell Theatre, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown 44502. 330-746-5455. Presented by the Millennial Theatre. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Holiday Flea. Youngstown Flea, 365 E. Boardman St., Youngstown 44503. Youngstown Flea will offer its Holiday Flea over two days. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. Vendors.
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