AKRON, Ohio — Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan announced on Friday the lineup for the upcoming Winter Nights series at Lock3Live in downtown Akron.
The city has adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue on with their seventeenth consecutive winter festival, and bring safe and cheerful fun to Ohio families.
This year, activities have all been approved by the Summit County Public Health Department and will adhere to social distancing and Coronavirus protocols. This includes the unfortunate news that the city will not host their annual ice rink or their Welcome Santa parade.
The new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) will still be open throughout the festival and visitors will be able to purchase adult beverages while enjoying the festivities within the space.
“We are excited to be able to provide residents and guests with fun, safe options to celebrate the winter season this year,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “2020 looks different in a lot of ways and we've had to make changes to the programming to adjust, but the new activities we have planned this year truly provide something for everyone! Grab a drink in the DORA and check out the outdoor art gallery, stroll along the cottages or take in a light show at Lock 4, take your family for a round of putt-putt golf or rent an igloo for an evening. There are plenty of options to enjoy the season while following public health guidelines.”
Those options include new outdoor events beginning on Friday, November 27, that will replace the typical tree lighting event.
Events within the Winter Nights festival include:
- Akron Lights
- Archie the Snowman
- Arctic putt-putt
- Santa visits
- Igloos
- A "Twas the Night Before Christmas" outdoor art gallery
- Vintage holiday windows
- "Lock 4 Light" LED show
- Ornaments of Light
The city is also offering free two-hour parking through the end of 2020 in designated lots, which can be found here.
For more information on the Winter Nights events, including dates and times, click here.
