State College will welcome the start of the holiday season on Thursday in a winter carnival atmosphere with a visit from Santa, reindeer, the tree lighting and artisan market and much more.
The fourth annual Light Up Night hosted by the Downtown State College Improvement District will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on South Fraser Street, the 100 block of South Allen Street and the Allen Street Gates.
Santa will arrive at 5 p.m. on an Alpha Fire Company truck and will be in the MLK Plaza until 7 p.m. for visits and photo opportunities.
Free trolley rides starting at the plaza and traveling around downtown will be available from 5 to 8 p.m., and The Makery will offer a free craft activity from 5 to 7 p.m. The Lions Club will provide free popcorn and hot cocoa, and Juana’s will offer 10% off menu items from 5 to 8 p.m. 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.
Over on South Allen Street, new features this year include an artisan market and live reindeer, sponsored by Growing Tree Toys, Lion’s Pride and Harper’s.
Entertainment will include local music and dance groups on stage, Tempest Productions street performers, drawings by Monster D and balloon animals by Nittany Balloons.
Local business will be on hand with refreshments, as well. Auntie Anne’s will have pretzels for sale and Way Fruit Farm will bring its hot cider. Event-goers can also enjoy free coffee and stickies courtesy of the Corner Room and free food courtesy of the YMCA’s Travelin’ Table.
Warm-up stations will be located at the Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop, 103 S. Allen St., and Kish Bank (with hot cocoa), 114 S. Allen St.
Families can also bring a toy for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable food Item for the YMCA Backpack Program to a collection stations in the MLK Plaza and on South Allen Street until 7 p.m. to be entered for a chance to be the lucky child who will light the tree with Santa.
Santa and the winning child from the drawing will light the tree at the Allen Street Gates at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Guests 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 between Nov. 16 and Dec. 3 will win a $1,000 gift card.
For more information about State College’s Light Up Night, visit the event’s Facebook page or the Downtown State College Improvement District’s website.
