HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights, presented by Lutheran Health Network and Downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, returns November 26 to December 31, 2025.
Downtown Fort Wayne news release:
HolidayFest Featuring the Night of Lights Kicks Off the Holiday Season in Downtown Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 16, 2025) – HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights, presented by Lutheran Health Network and Downtown Fort Wayne, returns November 26 – December 31, 2025. This festive tradition has drawn thousands of visitors from Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana for decades, with past events seeing record attendance of more than 50,000 guests.
Each year, Downtown transforms into a vibrant holiday destination filled with colorful lights, festive displays, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can enjoy warm drinks, carolers, decorated storefronts, and special events hosted by local businesses and organizations.
The season begins Wednesday, November 26, with the annual Night of Lights, one of the region’s most cherished holiday traditions. Road closures throughout Downtown will be in effect from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., and lighting events start at 6:00 p.m. Details are available in the HolidayFest Guide, accessible both online and in person.
Highlights include the return of the Parkview Field Holiday Lights walk-through featuring over one million lights synchronized to holiday music. New for 2025, guests can experience Fort Wayne’s first Downtown Drone Show, presented by Downtown Fort Wayne, with hundreds of drones creating a dazzling aerial display.
The Holiday Window Decorating Contest, themed “Candy Cane Lane,” invites businesses to create peppermint-inspired storefront displays. Public voting opens November 24, 2025, and continues through January 3, 2026.
Other events include the Festival of Gingerbread, Festival of Trees, and Holly Shopping on Small Business Saturday, November 29, presented by ProFed Credit Union and Downtown Fort Wayne.
“For decades, HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights has brought joy and holiday magic to our community, lighting up Downtown with tradition, creativity, and spirit,” said Downtown Fort Wayne Director of Marketing, Preston Wallace. “We are excited to introduce new experiences like the Downtown Drone Show while continuing beloved programming that make this season special for families and visitors.”For a full schedule and more information, please go to HolidayFestDowntown.com.
HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights is presented by Lutheran Health Network and Downtown Fort Wayne, proudly sponsored by Steel Dynamics, Fort Wayne Newspapers, OUTFRONT Media, 97.3 WMEE, Surack Enterprises, Indiana Michigan Power, WANE 15, Drive and Shine, PNC Bank, Renewal by Anderson, Do It Best, Visit Fort Wayne, and SST Services.
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