Downtown State College will shine bright as the community gathers for Light Up Night from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 20. The event will run along Fraser Street’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and through the 100 block of Allen Street. This beloved annual tradition kicks off the holiday season with festive activities, live entertainment, dazzling lights, and family-friendly fun for all ages.

This year’s celebration features a winter carnival complete with hot drinks, Santa visits, free trolley rides, performances, and an all-new holiday lighting display. Guests can also get a jump on holiday shopping at the Local Artisan Market, meet live reindeer, and learn more about the animals.

At the end of the night, one lucky child will join Santa in lighting the grand evergreen tree at the Allen Street Gates. To enter the drawing, families are encouraged to bring a donation for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable food item for the YMCA Backpack Program by 7 p.m. Community members can also support local nonprofits by visiting the Enchanted Forest on Locust Lane and voting for their favorite decorated tree. The nonprofit with the most votes will receive a $1,000 donation from the Downtown State College Improvement District.

At MLK Plaza, there will be free trolley rides, free hot cocoa and popcorn, glow stick jingle bell necklaces with The Makery, and free donut samples and in-store BOGO from Duck Donuts. There will also be a stuffed animal craft by UPUA, a gingerbread selfie mural by Faces and Spaces Artistry, a warming station inside Tempest Studios, and the Holiday Light Show at 7 p.m. 

On Calder Way, Krist KIDL Market will make its debut from 5–7:30 p.m., featuring the work of young local makers.

Nearby on Locust Lane in the Faith United yard, there will be a Nonprofit Tree Decorating Contest where you can vote for your favorite tree from Nov. 20 to Dec. 7 for a chance to help award a $1,000 donation.

Santa will arrive at 5 p.m. on Allen Street with photo opportunities until 7 p.m. There will be live performances by local music and dance groups, and a free craft from Appalachian Outdoors. McLanahan’s Downtown Market will be in attendance, a twinkle tractor visit and free apple cider from Way Fruit Farm, free coffee and sticky buns from The Corner Room, and seasonal burnt end chili from Bill Pickle’s.

Live reindeer from Spruce Ridge Reindeer will be on the street, along with free monster drawings by Monster D, and free balloon animals by Nittany Balloons. CATA’s mini bus “Tripper”, roaming street performances by Tempest Productions, and pop-ups from Idou Coffee and Naughty Nutz will dazzle all who attend. Other activities include a local artisan market, stories of State College, a sensory-friendly warming station with tea in the Woskob Family Gallery, and an additional warming station in the Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop.

On the Allen Street Stage, there will be multiple live performances leading up to the final tree lighting. The schedule is listed below: 

5:30 p.m. — Nittany Highland Pipe Band

6 p.m. — PSU Trombone Choir

6:30 p.m. — Unity Church of Jesus Christ/Calvary Harvest View/Greys Woods Gospel Singers

7 p.m. — Central PA Dance Workshop

7:25 p.m. — Santa Chooses the Child to Light the Tree

7:30 p.m. — Santa & Friends Light the Tree