WORCESTER—The city’s annual Festival of Lights returns to the Worcester Common on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, bringing a full evening of holiday-themed activities and entertainment. The free, family-friendly event will run from 4:30 to 9 p.m., featuring interactive lighting displays, live performances, and seasonal treats to mark the start of the city’s winter festivities.
The event’s centerpiece, the lighting of the holiday tree, will take place at 6 p.m. Following this highlight, attendees can enjoy a performance by acclaimed reggae artist Clatta Bumboo, whose soulful, rhythmic sound reflects his deep Jamaican roots.
City Manager Eric D. Batista expressed his enthusiasm for the event in a statement, emphasizing its community impact. “Festival of Lights is an incredibly joyous event, and we love seeing family and friends pack the Worcester Common and downtown neighborhood each year to celebrate,” Batista said. “Thank you to our community partners who help us organize and execute Festival of Lights and a winter full of fun, inclusive activities for all.”
The Festival of Lights marks the launch of the city’s winter lighting installation, which will remain on display at the Worcester Common through Feb. 28, 2025. Key features include:
- “Pillars of Monumental Truth”: 19-foot LED obelisks displaying multilingual seasonal messages
- “Illuminaciones”: A spiraling LED tunnel, perfect for photo opportunities
- Glow Park: An illuminated playscape and 90-foot alpine slide
- Denholm Building Displays: Artistic exhibits curated by local creatives, showcasing contemporary interpretations of the historic building
Complementing these displays, visitors can enjoy free ice skating, courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, at the Worcester Common Oval. Skates are available for rent for $6.
Festival-goers can explore offerings from more than 15 food vendors, a beer tent, and numerous community organizations. Live entertainment includes performances by the Worcester Poets Laureate, Burncoat High School’s Quadrivium Chorus, and the Many Voices: Mechanics Hall Youth Singers. Santa Claus, interactive circus performers, fire artists, and carriage rides add to the festive ambiance.
For younger attendees, the Worcester Public Library hosts crafts, giveaways, and a hot cocoa station at its Salem Square location until 8:30 p.m.
The Festival of Lights kicks off a weekend of holiday events across the city, including:
- Mercantile Center Holiday Market (Dec. 7): A craft market featuring live entertainment and food trucks
- Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition (Dec. 7–8): Family-friendly programming inspired by the artist’s works
- Canal District Holiday Stroll & Kelley Square Tree Lighting (Dec. 7): Festive activities culminating in the lighting of a neighborhood tree
- stART at the Station (Dec. 8): A holiday-themed craft market at Union Station featuring more than 100 local artists
Parking for the Festival of Lights is free in Downtown Passport Zones all day on Dec. 6, and at the Pearl-Elm Garage starting at 2 p.m. Road closures around the Common begin at noon to accommodate the event.
For full details on the Festival of Lights and related events, visit the city’s website.
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