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November 7 seasonal update: Looking beyond Halloween? Start with holiday lights and upcoming shows below, Christmas tree farm opening dates or indoor family plans.
The holiday calendar in Youngstown is filling in early. These are the events we could confirm with the venues, cities and organizers as of Oct. 26, 2026, in date order. We'll keep adding more as towns post their parade and tree lighting details.
Free: Frost & Lights at Fellows Riverside Gardens
Mill Creek MetroParks' holiday celebration at Fellows Riverside Gardens (123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown) is free. Registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome.
- Festival of Trees: an indoor display of decorated live trees, Dec. 5, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed Mondays).
- Winter Nights: an evening walk through the gardens lit with outdoor lights, 5–6 p.m. on Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 26 and 27 (no Winter Nights on Sunday, Dec. 20). Holiday characters will make appearances.
- Festive Finds Weekend: a craft show with 30 vendors, Dec. 12–13.
Free: Youngstown Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting (Nov. 28)
Downtown's Light Up Night is Saturday, Nov. 28, and it's free. Here's how the evening shakes out, per Youngstown CityScape and the city:
- 4–8 p.m.: Flea on Phelps, the holiday market on Phelps Street.
- 4–6 p.m.: Santa's Workshop at OH WOW!, with a free photo with Santa.
- 6 p.m.: the parade steps off on East Federal Street near Commerce and heads west to Vindicator Square.
- About 7:30 p.m.: the tree lighting on Central Square.
There's an ADA viewing area by the DeYor Performing Arts Center. Get there early if you want a curb spot.
More parades, lights and Santa around the Valley
- Downtown Dazzle, Warren (Sat, Nov. 7, 6–8 p.m.): the Warren Rotary lights up Courthouse Square, with a laser show at 7 p.m. and free refreshments.
- Santa's Arrival at the Eastwood Mall, Niles (Sat, Nov. 14, noon–3 p.m.).
- Columbiana Christmas Parade & Tree Light Up (Fri, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.): it's trying a new route this year, starting near South Main and West Railroad streets.
- Joy of Christmas, Columbiana (Nov. 20 – Dec. 27, 6–9 p.m.): a drive-thru light show at 298 E. Park Ave. It runs Nov. 20–22, Nov. 26–29, Dec. 3–6 and nightly Dec. 10–27 (closed Christmas Day). It's $20 a car, and Sundays are $10 for veterans, first responders and seniors.
- Niles Festival of Lights Parade (Fri, Nov. 27): the city hasn't posted a start time yet, so check niles.org closer to the date.
- Merry on Market Street, Boardman (Nov. 27–29): a small business crawl. Buy something at participating Market Street shops, collect stamps and you're entered in a prize drawing.
- Christmas at the Mill (Nov. 28–29, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.): a free holiday open house at Lanterman's Mill in Mill Creek Park, with Santa from noon to 2.
- Struthers Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting (Fri, Dec. 4, 6–9 p.m.): a free parade, then the city tree gets lit at Fifth Street Plaza (982 Fifth St.).
- Poland Lighting of the Green (Sat, Dec. 5): carriage rides and the lighting at Poland Village Hall. Village council OK'd the road closures, but the full schedule isn't out yet.
- Boardman Community Christmas (Sun, Dec. 6, noon–5 p.m.): free afternoon at Boardman Park with hot chocolate, fire pits, kids' games and crafts, and you can help decorate the Community Wildlife Christmas Tree.
- Boardman Park drive-thru lights (Dec. 6 – Jan. 7, 5–10 p.m.): free. Just roll through the park with the radio on and look at the light displays from the car.
December concert pick: Nelly at Covelli Centre
Friday, December 11, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: Nelly with special guest Afroman at Covelli Centre. The venue confirms the rescheduled date; previously purchased tickets will be honored. Read the concert details or visit the official venue event and ticket page. Nelly details checked November 7.
The full calendar
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov. 5 – Sun, Jan. 3 | Oglebay Festival of Lights (nightly, dusk to midnight) | Oglebay Park, Wheeling, W.Va. |
| Sat, Nov. 7, 6–8 p.m. | Downtown Dazzle: Light Up Courthouse Square | Courthouse Square, Warren |
| Fri, Nov. 13 – Sun, Jan. 3 | Kennywood Holiday Lights (weekends to Dec. 13, then daily; closed Dec. 24–25) | Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pa. |
| Sat, Nov. 14, noon–3 p.m. | Santa's Arrival | Eastwood Mall, Niles |
| Fri, Nov. 20, 6 p.m. | Columbiana Christmas Parade & Tree Light Up | Downtown Columbiana |
| Fri, Nov. 20 – Sun, Dec. 27 | Joy of Christmas drive-thru light show (select nights, 6–9 p.m.) | 298 E. Park Ave., Columbiana |
| Sat, Nov. 21 | Highmark Light Up Night | Downtown Pittsburgh |
| Sun, Nov. 22, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. | Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve | Covelli Centre |
| Fri, Nov. 27 | Niles Festival of Lights Parade | Downtown Niles |
| Fri, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. | A Clay Walker Family Christmas | Packard Music Hall, Warren |
| Fri, Nov. 27 – Sun, Nov. 29 | Merry on Market Street small business crawl | Market Street, Boardman |
| Sat, Nov. 28, 4 p.m. (parade 6 p.m.) | Youngstown Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting (free) | Downtown Youngstown |
| Sat, Nov. 28 – Sun, Nov. 29, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Christmas at the Mill (free) | Lanterman's Mill, Mill Creek Park |
| Sun, Nov. 29 | TubaChristmas & Holiday Craft Show (craft show 11 a.m., concert 4 p.m.) | Stambaugh Auditorium |
| Tue, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. | World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker | Packard Music Hall, Warren |
| Wed, Dec. 2 | YSU Carols & Cocoa (7 p.m.) and the Dana Holiday Concert (8 p.m.) | Stambaugh Auditorium |
| Thu, Dec. 3 – Sun, Dec. 6 | Disney On Ice presents Magic of Family (7 shows; $27–$122 plus fees) | Covelli Centre |
| Fri, Dec. 4 – Sun, Dec. 13 | How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas | Youngstown Playhouse (Moyer Room) |
| Fri, Dec. 4, 6–9 p.m. | Struthers Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting (free) | Fifth Street Plaza, Struthers |
| Sat, Dec. 5 | Poland Lighting of the Green | Poland Village Hall |
| Sat, Dec. 5 – Sun, Jan. 3 | Frost & Lights (free) | Fellows Riverside Gardens |
| Sat, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. & Sun, Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m. | Ballet Western Reserve: The Nutcracker with the Youngstown Symphony ($27–$42) | Powers Auditorium (DeYor) |
| Sun, Dec. 6, noon–5 p.m. | Boardman Community Christmas (free) | Boardman Park |
| Sun, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. | The Polar Express on the big screen | Robins Theatre, Warren |
| Sun, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. | W.D. Packard Concert Band: Family Christmas Spectacular | Packard Music Hall, Warren |
| Sun, Dec. 6 – Thu, Jan. 7, 5–10 p.m. | Drive-thru holiday lights (free) | Boardman Park |
| Mon, Dec. 7, 4 p.m. | YSU Youth Orchestra Concert | Stambaugh Auditorium |
| Tue, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. | Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration | Stambaugh Auditorium |
| Tue, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. | Dean Z: The Ultimate Elvis Christmas | Robins Theatre, Warren |
| Wed, Dec. 9, 7 p.m. | Michael Cavanaugh: A Merry Rockin' Christmas ($45) | Packard Music Hall, Warren |
| Wed, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. | O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy | Stambaugh Auditorium |
| Thu, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. | The One and Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra | Stambaugh Auditorium |
| Fri, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. | Nelly with special guest Afroman | Covelli Centre |
| Fri, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. | Eli Young Band | Robins Theatre, Warren |
| Fri, Dec. 11 – Sun, Dec. 13 | A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage | Youngstown Playhouse |
| Sat, Dec. 12, 3 p.m. | O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy | Robins Theatre, Warren |
| Sat, Dec. 12, 6 p.m. | Youngstown Soul Jam: The Stylistics, The Manhattans and Harold Melvin's Blue Notes | Powers Auditorium (DeYor) |
| Sat, Dec. 12 & Sun, Dec. 13 | Youngstown Phantoms vs. Dubuque (6 p.m. Sat, 4 p.m. Sun) | Covelli Centre |
| Sun, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. | Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour | Robins Theatre, Warren |
| Sat, Dec. 19, 1 & 6:30 p.m. | The Tapestries of Ohio: Christmas Madrigals Dinner & Show | Stambaugh Auditorium |
| Sat, Dec. 19, 6 p.m. | Youngstown Phantoms vs. Team USA | Covelli Centre |
| Tue, Dec. 22 & Wed, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. | Youngstown Symphony: Home Alone 2 in Concert ($31–$80) | Powers Auditorium (DeYor) |
| Fri, Jan. 1 & Sat, Jan. 2 | Youngstown Phantoms vs. Cedar Rapids (7 p.m. Fri, 6 p.m. Sat) | Covelli Centre |
Disney On Ice showtimes
Magic of Family plays the Covelli Centre (229 E. Front St.) seven times: Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The venue lists tickets at $27–$122 plus fees. The morning shows tend to suit younger kids.
Plan a holiday weekend
One easy combo: Disney On Ice on Saturday morning, Dec. 5, then the opening night of Winter Nights at Fellows Riverside Gardens (5–6 p.m.). Or take the drive to Pittsburgh for Kennywood Holiday Lights.
Got two Nutcrackers to pick from? The World Ballet Company tour hits Warren on Dec. 1, and Ballet Western Reserve does its hometown version with a live Youngstown Symphony the weekend of Dec. 5–6. If the kids are more Home Alone than ballet, the YSO plays the Home Alone 2 score live under the movie on Dec. 22 and 23.
