Light Up Night 2026 - Downtown State College
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Kick off the holiday season in style at Light Up Night, a magical evening packed with festive fun for the whole family!
What to Expect:
🎠 Winter Carnival
☕ Free hot drinks
🎅 Visits with Santa
🚋 Free trolley rides
🎶 Live performances
🎄 Tree Lighting with Santa
🦌 Live reindeer encounters
🛍️ Local Artisan Market + Krist KIDL Market
🌟 New Holiday Light Show in the Plaza
Bring your holiday cheer, and a donation! Every child who brings a new toy for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable food item for the YMCA Backpack Program by 7 PM will be entered for a chance to help Santa light the Downtown Evergreen Tree at the Allen Street Gates!
🌲 Don't Miss:
Take a stroll through the Enchanted Forest on Locust Lane and vote for your favorite tree in the Downtown Holiday Tree Challenge! The non-profit with the most votes wins a $1,000 donation from the Downtown Improvement District.
📅 Mark your calendar, bundle up, and join us for one of the most magical nights of the year in Downtown State College!
Experience Light Up Night:
In the MLK Plaza:
-Take a ride on the free trolley, running 5-8pm.
-Warm up at Tempest Studios (140 Kelly Alley) with stories, crafts, and treats!
-Take a selfie with the gingerbread mural by Faces and Spaces Artistry
-Catch the kickoff of the annual lightshow in the MLK Plaza, designed by Nittany Entertainment, at 7pm!
In Calder Way (between Allen St and Kelly Aly):
-Krist KIDL Market featuring young local makers provided by the Central PA Festival of the Arts, 5-7:30pm
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
-Donations accepted: For a chance to light the tree with Santa, donations will be collected for Toys for Tots and the YMCA Backpack program (Travelin’ Table) at the Downtown Improvement District table until 7:00pm during Light Up Night.
-Live Reindeer by Spruce Ridge Reindeer
-Free Monster Drawings by Monster D
-Free Balloon Animals by Nittany Balloons
-Visit with CATA's mini bus Tripper
-Roaming Street Performances by Tempest Productions
-Food vendors – available for purchase: Idou Coffee & Naughty Nutz
-Local Artisan Market
-Stories of State College – Share a favorite family tradition, from any season, as we celebrate the diverse faiths, heritage, and traditions of our community.
-Sensory Friendly Warming Station with Tea in the Woskob Family Gallery (146 S Allen St)
-Warming Station in Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop (103 S Allen St)
Allen St Stage Schedule:
-5:30pm TBA
-6:00pm TBA
-6:30pm TBA
-7:00pm TBA
-7:25pm Santa Chooses Child to Light the Tree
-7:30pm Santa & Friends Light the Tree
Artisan Market Vendors:
TBA
What to Expect:
🎠 Winter Carnival
☕ Free hot drinks
🎅 Visits with Santa
🚋 Free trolley rides
🎶 Live performances
🎄 Tree Lighting with Santa
🦌 Live reindeer encounters
🛍️ Local Artisan Market + Krist KIDL Market
🌟 New Holiday Light Show in the Plaza
Bring your holiday cheer, and a donation! Every child who brings a new toy for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable food item for the YMCA Backpack Program by 7 PM will be entered for a chance to help Santa light the Downtown Evergreen Tree at the Allen Street Gates!
🌲 Don't Miss:
Take a stroll through the Enchanted Forest on Locust Lane and vote for your favorite tree in the Downtown Holiday Tree Challenge! The non-profit with the most votes wins a $1,000 donation from the Downtown Improvement District.
📅 Mark your calendar, bundle up, and join us for one of the most magical nights of the year in Downtown State College!
Experience Light Up Night:
In the MLK Plaza:
-Take a ride on the free trolley, running 5-8pm.
-Warm up at Tempest Studios (140 Kelly Alley) with stories, crafts, and treats!
-Take a selfie with the gingerbread mural by Faces and Spaces Artistry
-Catch the kickoff of the annual lightshow in the MLK Plaza, designed by Nittany Entertainment, at 7pm!
In Calder Way (between Allen St and Kelly Aly):
-Krist KIDL Market featuring young local makers provided by the Central PA Festival of the Arts, 5-7:30pm
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
-Donations accepted: For a chance to light the tree with Santa, donations will be collected for Toys for Tots and the YMCA Backpack program (Travelin’ Table) at the Downtown Improvement District table until 7:00pm during Light Up Night.
-Live Reindeer by Spruce Ridge Reindeer
-Free Monster Drawings by Monster D
-Free Balloon Animals by Nittany Balloons
-Visit with CATA's mini bus Tripper
-Roaming Street Performances by Tempest Productions
-Food vendors – available for purchase: Idou Coffee & Naughty Nutz
-Local Artisan Market
-Stories of State College – Share a favorite family tradition, from any season, as we celebrate the diverse faiths, heritage, and traditions of our community.
-Sensory Friendly Warming Station with Tea in the Woskob Family Gallery (146 S Allen St)
-Warming Station in Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop (103 S Allen St)
Allen St Stage Schedule:
-5:30pm TBA
-6:00pm TBA
-6:30pm TBA
-7:00pm TBA
-7:25pm Santa Chooses Child to Light the Tree
-7:30pm Santa & Friends Light the Tree
Artisan Market Vendors:
TBA
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Where is it happening?
100 Block of S Allen Street, State College, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherDowntown State College
