This year's Night of Lights falls on Wednesday, November 26. Mark your calendar for the big event, and keep on marking as there’s more to Fort Wayne’s Holiday culture than our stop-in-your-tracks lighting displays. We've got it all!
Fort Wayne, Indiana's Holiday Favorites
Night of Lights Schedule - Just the Lights
If you’re short on time and just want to see all of the lightings, here's the lineup you won't want to miss:
- 6:00pm – History Center Turret Lighting (Barr Street)
- 6:10pm – Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Community Center Santa’s Workshop Lighting (Main Street)
- 6:20pm – PNC Bank Santa and His Reindeer Lighting (Main and Calhoun Streets)
- 6:40pm – Ash Brokerage Holiday Illumination Lighting (Harrison and Berry Streets)
- 7:00pm – Elevatus Architecture Christmas Tree Display Lighting and Indiana Michigan Power Merry Christmas Wreath Lighting (Calhoun and Wayne Streets)
- 7:20pm - Downtown Fort Wayne Drone Show with Sky Elements (Calhoun and Wayne Streets)
- 8:00pm - Downtown Churches and ACPL Finale Ringing of the Bells
See the full lights display schedule.
Night of Lights – The Activities
Many downtown locations offer Night of Lights activities, the evening of November 26. From indoor warm activities to some great family-friendly celebrations, these are the perfect activities to make your holiday celebrations special.
Warm Indoor Activities
Enjoy the Youth Orchestra's performance at the Grand Wayne Convention Center at 6:30 PM. There are plenty of other great indoor activities to help you warm up, but make sure you step outside for the ringing of the church bells at 8:00 PM.
The Best Family Activities
After delighting in all of the beautiful holiday lightings with your kids in tow, make your way to the Botanical Conservatory's beautiful $1 Night Light Display, where you will find yourself surrounded by festive greenery, stunning poinsettias and enchanted scenery illuminated for the season. Let your kids explore the Allen County Public Library downtown branch where they can make their own crafts to celebrate the season.
Can't-Miss Night of Lights Activities
Make your list and check it twice — you do not want to miss out on these classic holiday events. The Festival of Trees display at the Embassy Theatre features beautifully decorated trees throughout the building and beautiful window displays (available November 26 through December 3.)
*All events located in downtown Fort Wayne. Times vary with most activities beginning between 3-5PM
A Season of HolidayFest Fun: Beyond the Night of Lights
Do you have family coming into town between Thanksgiving and Christmas and want to impress them with Fort Wayne’s Holiday spirit? The following activities, events, and attractions are all part of HolidayFest. You’re sure to find a festive event to fit your interest. Some of the following events are free and some involve a fee/ticket.
The Best Family-Friendly Events
- November 20 - January 3 — Parkview Field Holiday Lights display
- November 17 - December 31 — Blue Jacket's Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park
- November 28 - January 4 — Wild Lights at the Fort Wayne Zoo
- November 28–December 21 — Festival of Gingerbread at The History Center
- November 28 — Breakfast with Santa at the Embassy Theatre
Insider Tip: This always sells out early. Call the Embassy's box office at (260) 424-5665 to inquire about availability. - December 6, 13, 20 — Santa Saturdays at the Botanical Conservatory
Holiday Markets
- Fort Wayne Village Marketplace / PSM Fieldhouse / November 14 - 15
- Le Chic Holiday Market 2024 / Kruse Plaza / November 21 - 22
- Indiana Artisan Holiday Marketplace / Electric Works / November 22 - 23
- Holly Shopping 2025 / Downtown Fort Wayne Shops / November 29
- Bohemian Holiday Market / Memorial Coliseum / November 29
- Holidays at Artlink Winter Market / Artlink / November 29 - December 13
- Holiday Sip & Shop / Two EE's Winery / December 6
- Sleigh Days Christmas Village & Market / Allen County Fairgrounds / December 6 - 7
Date Night Events
- November 16 — A Motown Christmas at the Embassy Theatre
- November 21 — Messiah by Candlelight by Fort Wayne Philharmonic at Auer Performance Hall
- November 26 — Birdie's Rooftop - Night of Lights at Birdie's at The Bradley
- November 26 – December 23 — Miracle on Jefferson Holiday Bar Pop-Up
- November 28 - December 19 — Birdie's Rooftop - Sing Bing!
- December 3 — Trans-Siberian Orchestra "Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More" at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
- December 8 — Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Embassy Theatre
- December 12 — Straight No Chaser: Holiday Road Tour at the Embassy Theatre
- December 18 - 21 — Fort Wayne Philharmonic Holiday Pops performances at the Auer Performance Hall at PFW
Can't-Miss Events
- November 22 – February 22 — Outdoor Ice Skating at Headwaters Park
- December 5 - 6 — Fort Wayne Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker at the Arts United Center
Insider Tip: The Fort Wayne Ballet presents this classic performance every year and it’s a wonderful holiday tradition. Attend if you’re in town – it’s inspiring to see the hard work of our local youth come to life!
Looking for more Fort Wayne holiday fun? Check out our annual list of the best Crazy Holiday Houses in Fort Wayne or sign up for the Free Holiday Lights Challenge for a self-guided tour of Allen County's most iconic lights displays.
