City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester’s annual Festival of Lights celebration returns to the Worcester Common Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. The free, family-friendly event hosts numerous lighting features, ice skating, food vendors, community organizations, and performances from 4:30 to 9 p.m.

“We look forward to welcoming families to the Common every year for an evening of celebration, connection, and holiday cheer as we kick off this special time of year,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “The City of Worcester is proud to offer opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the joy, diversity, and spirit that make our city so special.”

Festival of Lights is the first night of the municipality’s winter lighting installation that is displayed on the Worcester Common. This year’s installation will include a colorful interactive long fabric lantern created by the youth of RICE MA. The lighting of the tree will take place around 6 p.m. 

This year’s headliners include Sarah Louise French, a New England-based singer-songwriter who seamlessly blends folk, country, and timeless storytelling into her music. French will be joined by a 12-piece band led by Dan Gabel, an accomplished bandleader, trombonist, vocalist, arranger, and educator. French and Gabel will collaborate to present a vibrant, multicultural musical experience, featuring holiday favorites reimagined through diverse cultural traditions and musical styles.

In addition to the lighting displays, Festival of Lights will feature more than 15 food vendors, a beer tent, community organizations, a visit from Santa, face painting, interactive roving circus performers, and fire performances. Performances from Burncoat High School Quadrivium, JoAnn Warren Studios, May Street School, Midland Street Elementary Youth Choir and RICEMA, and the South High Choir will take place throughout the evening. 

Complimentary ice-skating on the Worcester Common Oval during Festival of Lights is made possible by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and DCU/Legends Global. Skaters may bring their own skates or rent for $6 per pair.

The Worcester Public Library (3 Salem Sq.) will be open for Festival of Lights on Friday, Dec. 4 until 8:30 p.m. The library will have a hot cocoa station, small family crafts, giveaways, a family picture-taking area, and a Friends of the Library pop-up holiday sale.

Area road closures will be in place on Franklin Street and Front Street beginning at 12:30 p.m., and on Main Street and Church Street at 2 p.m. 

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, parking will be free at the Pearl-Elm Garage (24 Pearl St.), as well as at McGrath Parking Lot (located at the Worcester Public Library). Parking at all other municipal lots, garages, and metered spaces will maintain standard and event rates.

The festive programming on Worcester Common on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, will kick off a weekend-long series of holiday celebrations throughout the city.

• Worcester Holiday Market – Saturday, Dec. 3-6, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Mercantile Center with winter-themed activities, live entertainment, food trucks, and a vibrant holiday atmosphere.
• Night Lights: Fantastical Forest at New England Botanic Garden Night - Open until Jan. 3, 2027. 
• A Christmas Carol at the Hanover Theatre - Dec. 17-23, 2026.

The Festival of Lights event is made possible by the generous community partners College of the Holy Cross, DCU/ Legends Global, Discover Central MA, Double Down Brewing Company, Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, Fidelity Bank, Kelleher & Sadowsky, Beacon Bank, Cornerstone Bank, Country Bank, Garelick Farms, EGA, WICN-FM, Win Waste, and Worcester Railers Hockey Club. 

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