Editor's Note: All children's events in this article have been entered into the event calendar!
[LOWELL, MA.] – Organizers for Lowell’s annual City of Lights Parade and Holiday Celebration are in high gear and ready to kick off the season! On Saturday, November 30th at 4:30 p.m., the City of Lights parade will begin on Jackson Street and end at City Hall with the traditional lighting of City Hall, downtown Lowell, and the Wannalancit smoke stack Christmas tree. This year, in addition to celebrating the season, we will honor the resiliency of the human spirit as we welcome special guests from the Merrimack Valley who were impacted by the Boston Marathon bombing, as well as Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who will join us on the parade podium.
[LOWELL, MA.] – Organizers for Lowell’s annual City of Lights Parade and Holiday Celebration are in high gear and ready to kick off the season! On Saturday, November 30th at 4:30 p.m., the City of Lights parade will begin on Jackson Street and end at City Hall with the traditional lighting of City Hall, downtown Lowell, and the Wannalancit smoke stack Christmas tree. This year, in addition to celebrating the season, we will honor the resiliency of the human spirit as we welcome special guests from the Merrimack Valley who were impacted by the Boston Marathon bombing, as well as Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who will join us on the parade podium.
Leading up to the nighttime parade will be an array of family-friendly daytime events starting at 11 a.m., including: Lucky Bob’s Interactive Magic & Juggling Extravaganza Show at Lowell Five Bank on John Street at 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.; Holiday Art Exploratory for Kids at UnchARTed Gallery from 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Strolling Holiday Carols with The Gentlemen Songsters; Gallery Shopping Tours via the COOL Bus from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; and Lowell National Historical Park’s annual "All Aboard" Tour of Lowell on the Trolley Express, which departs from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations will be required by calling 978-970-5000 starting November 20th.
Additional events include Children’s Shopping Day at the Pollard Memorial Library; a Holiday Express Village featuring quilted houses and a model train at the New England Quilt Museum, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (standard admission rate applies); Lowell’s 6th Annual Hot Chocolate Competition from 1 p.m. – 3p.m. at participating downtown businesses; and Photos with Santa at Lowell City Hall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (cost is $2 per photo).
As in years past, Santa & Mrs. Claus will make their first appearance of the season, and will join Mayor Murphy and other guest dignitaries to throw the switch to light City Hall and illuminate more than 100,000 lights throughout Downtown.
The ever-popular nighttime parade traditionally entertains well over 30,000 revelers and features nearly 3,000 parade participants representing more than 71 regional organizations as well as performers from Lowell High School. Costumed characters, marching bands, and an assortment of illuminated floats also join the parade route. All floats should be lined up no later than 3 p.m. for judging, which will take place at 3:30 p.m. Awards are given in one of the following categories: Mayor’s Award - Best of Parade, Most Festive, and City Manager’s Community Organization Award. Following the parade at 6:30 p.m., there will be a free Holiday Choral Concert at St. Anne’s Church, 8 Kirk Street.
