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PREVIEW: Lewiston Christmas Walk & Lights Parade: Full event details

Fri, Dec 5th 2025 08:20 am

River Region holiday season officially begins this weekend

The annual Lewiston Christmas Walk and Lights Parade will take place the weekend of Dec. 5-7, and include Santa’s arrival, a procession down Center Street, shopping/dining deals, and a lights parade.

Holiday festivities are coordinated and produced by the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

President Amanda Haseley said, “The Christmas Walk has become a defining tradition for Lewiston, and it happens because our businesses and community show up in such a genuine, committed way. The energy and ideas they bring each year give the village a character that feels uniquely ours. It’s meaningful to be part of an event that reflects who we are and the pride we take in this place.”

This year’s schedule includes:

Friday, Dec. 5

•The Christmas Walk kicks off at 7 p.m. with the 35th annual tree-lighting at the Alphonso I. DiMino Memorial Band Shell at Academy Park, presented by the Lewiston Beautification Committee and Lewiston Council of the Arts.

Enjoy holiday performances by Janet Dunstan Dance Academy, Lewiston Dance Center, soloists from Matt’s Music and Stella Niagara School choir, a community sing-along, and visits from some very special guests!

•5-9 p.m. – Niagara Crossing Hotel & Spa (100 Center St.) – See a room, check out the spa, and enjoy a drink or light bite at the lobby bar. Food and drink specials will be offered all weekend.

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Saturday, Dec. 6

•11:45 a.m. – UPDATE: Santa arrives in Academy Park. Santa and his elves were set to arrive via Skydive the Falls and Rainbow Air, but the weather is not cooperative. Santa will now arrive via mystery transport!

•noon to 4 p.m. – Visit with Santa on the J&J Strassburg's North Pole float in front of the Frontier House (460 Center St.).

•noon to 4 p.m. – Visit the petting zoo at Hennepin Park (Center and South Fourth streets).

•noon to 4 p.m. – Enjoy complimentary carriage rides at Northwest Bank (500 Center St.)

•Business promotions:

√ 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Orange Cat Coffee Company (703 Center St.) has 10% off all bulk coffee and loose-leaf tea, and is hosting in-store specials and a raffle for gift cards.

√ 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Niagara Crossing Hotel & Spa (100 Center St.) – See a room, check out the spa, and enjoy a drink or light bite at the lobby bar. Food and drink specials will be offered all weekend.

√ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – DiGiulio's Pharmacy (220 Portage Road) has 10% off most items on the gift side of the store.

√ noon – Brewed and Bottled Craft Beer Shop (444 Center St., Suite 1) has holiday beer and hard cider tappings, plus a giveaway.

√ noon to 4 p.m. – Chéri Amour (522 Center St.) has discounts and treats with purchase.

√ noon to 4 p.m. – Cookie decorating with the Lewiston Kiwanis Club at St. Peter’s School cafeteria (620 Center St.).

√ noon to 4 p.m. – Howard Hanna Real Estate (500 Center St.) will be open, and agents will be available to visit and help you find your perfect home!

√ noon to 5 p.m. – The Historical Society of Lewiston’s Lewiston Museum (469 Plain St.) has BOGO ornaments. If you buy $50 worth of merchandise, you get a free bicentennial coin and a copy of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution for the 250th anniversary of the United States!

√ noon to 5 p.m. – Stop by Inspirations on Canvas (449 Center St.) and enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate and treat during the Christmas Walk.

√ 1-4 p.m. – Visit "The Pottery" at Stella Niagara (4421 Lower River Road) for the best selection of unique and handcrafted items created by Sister Carolyn Fisher. Many items have been crafted especially for the upcoming holiday season. The studio will be open from 1-4 p.m. You may also visit "The Pottery" by calling 716-754-4311, Ext. 651, to schedule an appointment.

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Sunday, Dec. 7

•noon to 4 p.m. – Don’t miss the petting zoo at Hennepin Park (Center and South Fourth streets).

•noon to 3 p.m. – Enjoy complimentary carriage rides at Northwest Bank (500 Center St.).

•Business promotions

√ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market “Holly Jolly Holiday Market” at Lewiston No. 1 Fire Co. firehall (145 S. Sixth St.). Vendor space is currently full. For more information, click here.

√ 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Orange Cat Coffee Company (703 Center St.) has 10% off all bulk coffee and loose-leaf tea, and is hosting in-store specials and a raffle for gift cards.

√ noon – Brewed and Bottled Craft Beer Shop (444 Center St., Suite 1) has holiday beer and hard cider tappings, plus a giveaway.

√ noon to 4 p.m. – Chéri Amour (522 Center St.) has discounts and treats with purchase.

√ noon to 4 p.m. – Cookie decorating with the Lewiston Kiwanis Club at St. Peter’s School cafeteria (620 Center St.).

√ noon to 4 p.m. – Howard Hanna Real Estate (500 Center St.) will be open, and agents will be available to visit and help you find your perfect home!

√ noon to 5 p.m. – Stop by Inspirations on Canvas (449 Center St.) and enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate and treat during the Christmas Walk.

•5:30 p.m. – Christmas Lights Parade on Center Street.

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Santa’s North Pole mailbox at Syros

Once again this year, children and families can send letters to the North Pole.

Drop off your “Letter to Santa” at the North Pole mailbox at Syros Restaurant, 869 Cayuga St., Lewiston. To receive a response from Jolly St. Nick, please make sure all letters are in by Dec. 19.

Pictured outside the Greek/American restaurant, at the mailbox, is Jennifer D'Antuono.

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Lewiston Christmas Walk street closing

To accommodate the concluding event of this weekend’s Lewiston Christmas Walk and Lights Parade, Center Street will be closed at 3:30 p.m. Sunday (from Ninth Street to Fourth Street), as will Portage Road. All vehicles must be off Center Street by 3 p.m. Sunday.

Roadways will reopen at 8 p.m., following the conclusion of the parade.

The Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce noted, “We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we welcome thousands of visitors to Lewiston for this great community event!”

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Scenes from a past tree-lighting event at the Alphonso I. DiMino Memorial Band Shell in Academy Park. (Photos by Chelsea Sears of Chelsea Modern Images)

Beautification, Lewiston Council on the Arts to host 35th annual Lewiston tree-lighting

Submitted

Once again, Village of Lewiston Beautification Committee and the Lewiston Council on the Arts are joining forces to host the Lewiston tree-lighting at the Alphonso I. DiMino Memorial Band Shell in Academy Park. The 35th annual event (formerly held at Hennepin Park) begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

“The Christmas tree is here!” said Tasia Fitzpatrick of Beautification. “Center Street is all decked out for the season, and our volunteers have turned it into a magical holiday scene for everyone to enjoy!”

Other volunteers and sponsors include Lower River Moose Heart of the Community, Stanek Electricity, Be OK Studio, The Village Bake Shoppe, Tim Hortons and Modern Disposal.

“We’re really excited for this year’s celebration – it’s such a fun way to kick off the holiday season,” Lewiston Council on the Arts Executive Director Maria Fortuna Dean said. “We’ve got wonderful performances lined up with help from our friends at the Janet Dunstan Dance Academy, Lewiston Dance Center, St. Peter's School choir, and talented soloists from Matt’s Music and the Stella Niagara Choir. We’ll also have delicious hot cocoa, and maybe even a few surprise guests. And of course, we hope everyone comes ready to sing along to their favorite carols!”

Scenes from a past tree-lighting event at the Alphonso I. DiMino Memorial Band Shell in Academy Park. (Photos by Chelsea Sears of Chelsea Modern Images)