For Immediate Release: 11/20/2019 2:15 pm
The City of Worcester announced today that it will extend holiday programming on the Worcester Common following the annual Festival of Lights Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration headlined by Nicole Michelle and hosted by 96.1 SRS.
“As a signature event that continues to grow year after year, our Festival of Lights celebration provides great opportunities for community engagement,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. “Learning that stART at the Station was scheduled for the Sunday following Festival of Lights, we made programming the Common and other spaces a priority to create an opportunity to walk around downtown, visit more buildings and actively engage with our city center.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday, December 6
Worcester Common
4:30 – 9:00 p.m.
iHeart Radio presents Nicole Michelle
Performances by Worcester Public Schools Choral groups
Preview of the Hanover Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol”
Ice skating on the Oval
Visit from Santa
Tree lighting
Heated beer tent
Food trucks, face painting, street performers, free pedicab rides around the Common by Woo Rides
The City will once again host the Food Truck Rodeo with 10 food trucks stationed on Front Street, organized by the Oval’s resident food truck, The Dogfather.
The evening will be hosted by iHeart Radio presenting this year’s headlining talent Nicole Michelle.
Currently working on her first full-length record titled Generation N, produced by Jeff Timmons of the multi-platinum vocal group 98 Degrees and Ken Lewis (who’s credentials include 65 Billboard #1’s, 89 Gold & Platinum selling albums and singles, 59 Grammy Nominations and 16 Grammy Awards) along with two-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist and producer, Paul Nelson for the late Johnny Winter adding instrumentation, Nicole Michelle is the vocal prodigy we’ve all been waiting for with a handful of music industry bona fides already saying she’s in line to be one of the next superstars of the contemporary pop genre.
With thousands expected to attend, early arrival is recommended. There is plenty of affordable parking available within walking distance of the Worcester Common Oval, including the Worcester Common Garage at 2 Eaton Place, Mercantile Center Parking Garage, Federal Plaza Parking Garage and the Pearl-Elm Parking Garage.
Roads around the Worcester Common will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. and include both Front Street and Franklin Street.
The City of Worcester would like to recognize the generous sponsors and community partners that make this event possible: ASM Global, iHeart Radio, The Dogfather, Worcester Cultural Coalition and Discover Central Massachusetts.
Friday, December 6
Worcester PopUp, 20 Franklin Street
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Local art vendors
Story time and crafting
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ice sculpting
Glow-in-the-dark ice hands-on activity
Crafting
Giveaways
Performances
Hot chocolate & cookies
Saturday, December 7
Worcester Common
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Ice skating on the Oval (ends at 6 p.m.)
Cirque de Light – Holiday stilt walker and winter-themed LED Performer (4-7 p.m.)
Face painting by Just Clowning Around (4-7 p.m.)
Light show by LuminArtz (5-7 p.m.)
Saturday, December 7
Worcester PopUp, 20 Franklin Street and Printer’s Building, 44 Portland Street
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Vendor market featuring local artists and crafters selling jewelry, pottery, prints and more
Sunday, December 8
stART at the Station, Union Station
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
stART on the Street brings its 14th annual gifting-themed arts and crafts festival to Worcester's Union Station at 2 Washington Square. stART your holiday shopping ahead of the crowds from 9-11 a.m. for a $10 donation fee. Admission is free after 11am.
