Ready for the Holidays? 'Light Up Lakewood' Could Help

Sometimes getting in the holiday spirit includes hanging holiday lights. For some families, it’s watching “A Christmas Story.”

Some folks just want to get through Thanksgiving first.

But for many Lakewood residents the holiday doesn’t officially begin until the annual Light Up Lakewood event, slated for Dec. 1.

Sponsored by LakewoodAlive, the event stretches from Marlowe to Arthur avenues — from Lakewood Hospital to Lakewood Public Library — from 4 to 8 p.m.

The sixth-annual event — turning a half-mile stretch of Detroit Avenue into a winter wonderland — features the region’s only winter parade, a ceremonial lighting of holiday lights at Lakewood Hospital, an appearance by Santa Claus and entertainment.

The parade will begin at 5 p.m., marching west on Detroit Avenue, from Bunts to Arthur avenues. Santa will go on his pied-piper march back to Lakewood Hospital for the official lighting ceremony following the parade.

There will also be awards for Best of Show, Most Creative and Best Use of Lights, and the crowning of a Light Up Lakewood Festival King and Queen.

The parade will be followed by a street fair, with numerous street performers, an outdoor showing of “that famous reindeer movie” at the library, street hockey and food trucks.