Mark your calendar for Friday, December 2, 2016, and Light Up York powered by Shipley Energy — the annual lighting of the York City Christmas Tree at Continental Square. The evening will get started with activities at multiple locations; among the highlights will be a visit from Santa and then free photos with Santa at Martin Library.

Several new elements of the event include a live reindeer at Continental Square, sign language interpretation by Fair Interpreting from the stage at Continental Square, and additional fun photo props, among others.

Our event MCs will be Liz Bell and Chris Tyler of WARM 103.3.

Events will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. and the tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. at Continental Square.
Highlights of this year’s Light Up York will include:

— Entertainment featuring Greater York Dance, Weary Arts Group, and members of the William Penn High School Music Department will be presented at Continental Square (and there will be some audience participation sections of the evening)

— NEW:  A live reindeer from TNZ Farms in Quarryville will be available for photos at Continental Square from 5:30 to 7:30 (sponsored by Elite Property Management)

— SPECIAL THIS YEAR:  Sealing of York’s 275^th Anniversary Time Capsule

— Toys for Tots of York, PA will be collecting new, unwrapped toys at Continental Square

— Salvation Army will have complimentary hot chocolate at Continental Square

— Several of our sponsors will be on hand at Continental Square with giveaways

— Free face painting and free holiday-themed balloon twist hats provided by Atomic Bounce will be available at Continental Square beginning at 5:00

— NEW:  The York County Literacy Council will be promoting their #ZYXchallenge at Continental Square (give it a try!)

— Mudhook Brewing Co. and Central Market York will be selling Strathmeyer Christmas Trees in Cherry Lane (parking spaces will be reserved nearby so you can easily load up your tree on the way home)

— Central Market will also offer crafts and coloring pages for youngsters and Mezzogiorno will repeat last year’s popular Dinner with the Elves

— York First Moravian Church is adding additional times for its Christmas Putz display (6:00, 6:45, 7:30, 8:15)

— Christ Lutheran Church will hold an open house and all are invited

— Crafts and visits with Santa at Martin Library (6:45 to 8:00)

— Tyler Brown Photography, LLC will be at Martin Library to provide free professional photos with Santa (6:45 to 8:00)

— Dedication of new lights at the York County Judicial Center (6:45)

— NEW:  A free showing of the 1964 stop-motion animation version of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (7:00 at the Capitol Theatre)

In addition, Light Up York will serve as the next College Town Takeover meet-up event. We welcome students and representatives from York College of Pennsylvania, Penn State York, and HACC – York Campus.
Sincere thanks to our sponsors:

Shipley Energy

Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Elite Property Management

Comcast

The Graham Group

WARM 103.3

MediaOnePA (York Daily Record/Sunday News and The York Dispatch)

abc27 WHTM

Block Business Solutions

(York City Special Events are funded through corporate sponsorships, vendor fees, and private donations – without the use of tax dollars)
Light Up York takes place during First Friday, so many downtown locations will be open late for your shopping and dining pleasure.

For additional details, or to download a map and list of events, please visit www.yorkcity.org/LightUpYork

This year’s Continental Square Christmas Tree was donated by Brent Hatterer of York, in memory of his father, and in honor of LifePath Christian Ministries. Sincere thanks to Kinsley Construction for donating a crane and truck to remove and transport the 30-foot blue spruce tree.