Light Up Lakewood 2018 To Spread Holiday Cheer On December 1

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It’s a most joyous of Lakewood traditions and it’s back in Downtown Lakewood for a 12th consecutive year. The spirit of the season will come to life with holiday cheer when Light Up Lakewood 2018 takes place on Saturday, December 1.

Sponsored by First Federal Lakewood and presented by LakewoodAlive, Light Up Lakewood celebrates the season and the richness of our city’s vibrancy. This free, family-friendly event in Downtown Lakewood features a holiday parade, lighting ceremony, winter fireworks, live music, ice carvings, hot chocolate, food trucks, children’s games and much more.

Attendees are invited to stroll Lakewood's downtown district and visit local stores and restaurants while taking in the sights and sounds of one of Northeast Ohio's largest holiday celebrations. Light Up Lakewood serves as a marquee event for the entire region, drawing an estimated 20,000 guests each December.

Light Up Lakewood represents a day-long celebration that starts with Lunch with Santa at Dewey's Pizza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and doesn't end until the music stops playing at 8 p.m. Guests' sensory perceptions will be delighted by the twinkle of holiday lights, the cheerful sounds of carolers and the warmth exuded by the festive, friendly atmosphere.

Highlights include the Holiday Market inside the historic Lakewood Masonic Temple, the ever-popular Holiday Parade, which commences at Manor Park Avenue at 5 p.m. and ends in front of Lakewood Public Library, live entertainment provided by bands and choirs, the Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at City Center Park and a can't-miss fireworks show at 7 p.m. over the rooftops of Downtown Lakewood.

Schedule of Events for Light Up Lakewood 2018:

• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Lunch with Santa at Dewey’s Pizza
• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Ongoing performances at Lakewood Baptist Church with a surprise visitor
• 3 p.m. – King and Queen Ceremony at Plantation Home
• 4 p.m. – Festival Kickoff with the Holiday Market at the Lakewood Masonic Temple
• 5 p.m. – Start of Parade at Manor Park and Detroit Avenues, headed westbound on Detroit
• 5:30 – 9 p.m. – Santa visits Lakewood Public Library
• 6 – 8 p.m. – Ongoing performances at Lakewood Public Library
• 6:30 p.m. – Lighting Ceremony at Main Stage at City Center Park (in front of the Marc’s Plaza)
• 7 p.m. – Fireworks Show sponsored by First Federal Lakewood

“We are thrilled to once again welcome thousands of Lakewoodites and visitors from across the region for Light Up Lakewood, our signature community event," said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. "Whether you're feeling the spirit of the holiday season or simply wish to enjoy a festive community atmosphere, perhaps no event better showcases our city's vibrancy than this long-standing Lakewood tradition.”

For more information and continued updates, please visit LakewoodAlive.org/LightUpLakewood.

Light Up Lakewood is generously supported by the following sponsors:

Title Sponsor and Fireworks Sponsor:
First Federal Lakewood

Snowflake Sponsor:
City of Lakewood

Sparkle Sponsors:
Cleveland Clinic Lakewood Family Health Center | Convey360 | Lakewood Anglican Church

King and Queen Scholarship Sponsor:
Plantation Home

Jingle Sponsors:
Eric Lowrey, Berkshire Hathaway/Lucien Realty | Lakewood Church of the Ascension

Twinkle Sponsors:
Champion Windows & Home Exteriors | Clark Wealth Management | Renewal by Andersen | Storage Sense