HolidayFest

Experience the magic of the holidays in Downtown Fort Wayne with the return of HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights, presented by TriCore and Downtown Fort Wayne.

 

On Wednesday, November 22, Thanksgiving Eve, the always popular and nostalgic Night of Lights will take place in Downtown Fort Wayne. Come together to celebrate Fort Wayne’s favorite community traditions and kick off the holiday season with the iconic lighting of Santa and His Reindeer, the Merry Christmas Wreath, and many more.

 

The Night of Lights begins at 5:45 p.m., as Downtown businesses and organizations host a variety of family-friendly lightings paired with indoor and outdoor holiday activities. Complete the evening with the Parkview Field Holiday Fireworks Show starting at 8:00 p.m.

 

For decades, this festive night has brought joy to Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana, drawing thousands of attendees each year. Be sure to join the crowds and embrace the holiday spirit during HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights in Downtown Fort Wayne.

 

Enjoy local businesses’ jolly storefront displays with the ninth annual Window Decorating Contest. Downtown businesses and organizations are welcome to participate in this free and merry contest that brightens the community and kicks off the 2023 holiday season in Downtown Fort Wayne. This year’s theme is Silver Bells. Contestants are asked to create and display a favorite version of Silver Bells and will be judged in two categories: Most Thematic and Most Fort Wayne. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will be online starting on the Night of Lights and will end on Sunday, December 10. Voters will automatically be entered to win a $100 Downtown Fort Wayne gift card in partnership with Yiftee. Winners will be announced on Friday, December 15. 

 

Night of Lights Lighting Schedule:

5:45 p.m. – History Center Turret Lighting (Barr Street)

 

5:50 p.m. – Lighting of Kris Kringle Village & Arts United Plaza (Main Street)

 

6:00 p.m. – Aunt Millie’s Northern Lights (Pearl Street)

 

6:05 p.m. – Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Community Center Santa’s Workshop Display (Main St)

 

6:20 p.m. – Santa and His Reindeer at PNC Bank (Main and Calhoun Streets)

 

6:40 p.m. – Ash Brokerage Holiday Illumination (Harrison and Berry Streets)

 

7:00 p.m. – Flagstar Bank Lighting of the Christmas Tree Display and Indiana Michigan Power Merry Christmas Wreath (I&M Power Center Plaza at Calhoun and Wayne Streets)

 

7:15 p.m. – Botanical Conservatory & Embassy Theatre Displays (Jefferson Boulevard)

 

7:30 p.m. – Ringing of the Bells (Downtown Churches & ACPL)

 

8:00 p.m.* – Parkview Field Holiday Fireworks (Jefferson Boulevard)

 

*(North gate closes at 7:45pm)

 

 

The 2023 HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights is presented by TriCore and Downtown Fort Wayne, proudly sponsored by PNC Bank, Indiana Michigan Power, Fort Wayne Newspapers, WANE 15, OUTFRONT Media, Surack Enterprises, 97.3 WMEE, Do It Best, Peterman Brothers, T-Mobile, Custom Sound Designs, Visit Fort Wayne, Sweetwater Sound, and Bona Vita Architecture.

 

The 2023 Window Decorating Contest is presented by Downtown Fort Wayne, proudly sponsored by Hanning & Bean Enterprises, ProFed Credit Union, WANE 15, Fort Wayne Newspapers, OUTFRONT Media, Fort Wayne Metals, and 97.3 WMEE.