Downtown Greensboro Inc. has released the details of the 2024 Festival of Lights Celebration– and there is a lot going on this year for those who love the holiday season.
Downtown Greensboro, also known as DGI, is inviting everyone out to “ring in the holiday season at the city’s traditional Festival of Lights, which will have some added features this year.
The action gets started on Friday, Dec. 6, the night that will kick off the “Downtown in December” festivities planned for the last month of the year that are being presented by Allegacy Federal Credit Union.
“This magical evening promises a delightful mix of live performances, delicious food, holiday shopping, a heartwarming community sing-along, and the highly anticipated tree lighting,” DGI promises. “Plus, enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities to get everyone in the holiday spirit.”
Here’s the schedule of events…
Kick Off Your Evening in LeBauer Park
5 p.m.: The festivities start with Piedmont Winterfest Ice-Skating – and you can also explore the LeBauer Park Vendor Market for holiday finds.
Main Event in Center City Park
5:30 p.m.: The official Festival of Lights program begins with a performance by Seasons Best Carolers.
6:30 p.m.: There will be a “spirited sing-along” led by April Talbott and The Drew Hayes Five.
6:56 p.m.: This is the highlight of the night — the lighting of the community tree.
Stroll Along Elm Street
After the tree lighting, festival goers are being invited to take a musical stroll along Elm Street, from Friendly Avenue to Lewis Street, where they’ll be able to enjoy live performances by the following:
Grimsley Madrigal Singers
The Reids
Benjy Johnson & Tinsel Too
UNCG Chariots
GSO Symphony Orchestra
Travie & The Band
Starlights
GSO Performing Arts
High Lonseome Strings
Finn Phoenix
Sinai Mountain Ramblers
GSO College Brass Quintet
The Worship Place
Ragsdale Highschool Carolers
Rod Mccoy & The Real Mccoy band
Adam Doyle and Ben Jacobs
Also, traditional favorites like Mrs. Claus, Silver Drummer Girl, Snow Queen & King, and Superheroes will be strolling throughout the festival grounds.
There’s something new at this year’s Festival of Lights: Visitors can attend a DJ Dancy Party in Hamburger Square, where they’ll also be able donate toys for the Toys for Tots program. There will be a truck parked there for toy donations and everyone is being asked to bring a toy and donate it for kids who otherwise might not get anything for Christmas.
Other entertainment and events at the festival include:
Sumo Santas
Face Painting
Tinsel Hair
Balloon Twisters
Inflatable Merry Maze
Smoke Bubbles
Mechanical Bull
Community Participation Opportunities
The Blood Connection
You’ll even be able to roast marshmallows and get a photo with Santa, or at least a photo with a man in a Santa Claus suit pretending to be him.
There will also be a light show brought to you by Greensboro Holiday Lights and you’ll be able to visit Disney Princesses who will be available for photo ops. (Or, again, at least women dressed as Disney Princesses and pretending to be them.)
On the evening of December 6, downtown businesses will be open for shopping and dining and the following food trucks will be on site as well.
Cailee Belle’s Sweet Shoppe
Sweet’s Turkey BBQ
Custom Corn
Duck Donuts
Mahos Bistro
Off the Hook
Nut N But Luv
Bel’le Full Vending
Taste and See Cotton Candy Co
Loco for Coco
Years ago, my wife and I went to such an event downtown. There were a lot of people there in front of the stage set up in the park. At the lighting moment, all the black people attending (college students) laid down in protest; while blocking easy exit for those disgusted by it. And of course, there was a BLM march downtown, blocking the streets.
This is no way to behave in public. I guess it was BAMN in-action.
The norm here in Blacksboro.
Stupid, selfish, and violent.
In three words… Stupid, Selfish, and Violent.
Sounds wonderful! What a great way to start the Christmas season. I won’t be able to go, but I hope that everyone who does will stay safe, be kind, and remember the reason that we celebrate, at this time of the year.
Thanks, Scott, for letting the community know all about this magical event.
Merry Christmas!
Twenty bucks goes to first one associated with this event that says the word “Christmas”.
I’ll say it: Christmas!
I protest. You has an inside scoop on the post.
We hear this year in, year out–everything will be better than last year! um, no. 10 years ago we had a huge Fun Fourth and today is a shadow of that. 10 years ago we had a Fall craft and music celebration–Harry Blair did the artwork for the posters. Today it is nonexistent. As late as 5 years ago, EMF played music to accompany the fireworks on July 4th. Today, the music, if any, is recorded. 10 years ago, the Festival of Lights encompassed all of downtown, highlighted by the trees lit in remembrance or to honor people for Hospice (AuthoraCare) at the Wrangler building. So please, don`t try telling the citizens that this year will be the best ever, when the city government has wasted our money on raises for themselves and incentive packages for Boom and others.
On a lighter note. Today was a perfect Thanksgiving day. Partly cloudy in the AM, with brilliant sunshine and cooler weather in the afternoon. Twenty-one of us sat down for the Holiday Feedbag. Five or six screaming idiots running around the house. So much chin music you could barely hear anyone.
Thank God for stretch pants. It’s near six, so, what’s for supper, snookums? It’s great to be alive.
—–
“Life is sweet”. – My Grandmother’s last words.
Carpe diem, vita brevis.
If Greensboro could remove A&T from the area,
Greensboro would be a livable city again!
The College is part of the State University system. What they instill in our young people is the problem.