Lowell's Tree Lighting Moves to Nassau Park This Year, and December 5 Gets Crowded

"The Chamber looks forward to starting the planning of the 7th Annual Winterfest & Parade of Lights for the 1st Saturday in December in 2026." That's what Lowell Chamber of Commerce Vice President Deana Sutton told the South Lake County Sun after last year's event. The first Saturday in December 2026 is December 5, and the plan has grown since then.

This year the Lowell Parks Department is ending the night somewhere new. After the parade, the crowd heads to Nassau Park at West Main Street and North Liberty Street. The town's tree gets lit there, and then there's a Christmas after-party. Parks calls it a "BRAND-NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION." In past years the tree lighting moved from one downtown site to another. This year it lands at the park that opened this summer.

The Tree Has Had Three Addresses in Three Years

In each of the last two years, the tree lighting came right after the parade, but its location changed each time:

1. December 7, 2024: The parade ended with Santa lighting the town tree, followed by carols at Town Hall Square.
2. December 6, 2025: The tree-lighting ceremony was held at Legion Park, right after the parade.
3. December 5, 2026: The tree lighting moves to Nassau Park, and an after-party follows.

Last year's event drew big crowds wherever it landed. Parks Department director Cyndi Hughes told the South Lake County Sun that "the crowds along the parade route were huge." She said the Sea Cadets served as grand marshals, the parade had more than 24 entries, and the Lowell High School choir sang during the tree lighting. The same report described Old Town Square decorated with Chamber trees and the gazebo set up as a Santa station. It also mentioned food trucks like Hayden's Home Grown, Blue Collar Bros and Mizfitz Pizza, and Fusion Home Furnishings turning its whole store into "Whoville."

All of that happened along open streets and in a gazebo. Nassau Park has indoor space. The Parks Department's facility calendar lists a Gathering Room, Meeting Room, shelter, studio, splash pad and food-truck facility at the park. This year's after-party puts Santa by a fireplace for photos.

Before the Tree, Three Days of Shopping Across Town

Christmas Through Lowell comes first, two weeks before the parade. The Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce is putting on the 34th annual event November 20 through 22. The Chamber says it covers more than 80 homes and businesses, with more than 350 artists and crafters.

Those are the event-wide hours, and not every stop keeps them. The Chamber says some locations are open Friday and Saturday only, and some, such as churches, keep shorter hours. Each location's hours are in the brochure. You can pick up a printed copy at the Chamber office at 113 Riverwalk Plaza or at participating locations while supplies last. The Christmas Through Lowell page also links a digital flipbook, a Google map of every stop and a map of downtown public parking lots. The Chamber lists handmade decorations, folk and fine art, antiques, primitives, garden art, woodwork, ceramics, leather goods, knits, quilts and rugs.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 28, is a good day to stop at the Lowell Public Library at 1505 East Commercial. A $3 bag book sale runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Red Cross holds a blood drive there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the library's November 2026 newsletter.

December 5, From the Showboat to the Fireplace

The parade gets the most attention, but December 5 starts in the early afternoon. Here's the day in order, based on the Chamber's Christmas Festivities page and the Town's events calendar:

The Town of Lowell's calendar listing for Parade of Lights 2026 starts at 5 p.m. at Nassau Park. It says this year's parade "will start at Chase Bank and end at Nassau Park for our annual tree lighting." The Chamber's parade notes list the Recreation Park lineup and Main Street route, so check both organizers' updates before you pick a curb spot. The Chamber notes that dates and times can change and asks people to check its Facebook page before heading out. The Lowell Parks Department posts updates on its own Facebook page and its RecDesk site.

The Chamber also suggests spending the wait downtown. Its parade notes tell visitors to arrive early and "Enjoy the Social District and the shops while you're here."

Groups can still sign up for the parade. Parks says registration is open through Lowell RecDesk under Programs, listed as Parade of Lights. The Chamber also posts a 2026 parade application and rules on its festivities page.

What the After-Party Adds

Last year, after the tree lighting at Legion Park, Santa visits took place at Old Towne Square. This year, Parks keeps the evening at Nassau Park after the lighting. Here's what it lists:

• Pizza for purchase
• S'mores
• Hot chocolate
• "Fun festive drinks"
• Santa by the fireplace for photos

The Town's calendar listed the park's grand opening on August 1, running until 11 p.m. December 5 brings the town tree to the same park for the first time. Parks describes it as a tradition it plans to start "together" with the community.

Santa Keeps Coming Back Through the 19th

After December 5, the Chamber's Showboat schedule continues with five more Santa visits, each with a local sponsor:

• Wednesday, December 9: 4:30 to 7 p.m., sponsored by Litehouse Family YMCA
• Friday, December 11: Nite of Cheer, with Santa from 4 to 7:30 p.m., cocoa and cookies in the Chamber, and all other activities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in partnership with Artic Heating & Cooling and the Lowell Area Historical Museum
• Saturday, December 12: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by the Lowell Rotary Club
• Wednesday, December 16: 4:30 to 7 p.m., sponsored by Lifewise Academy Lowell
• Saturday, December 19: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by J&K Roadside Assistance

A few practical notes from the Chamber. The line to see Santa is outdoors, so dress for the weather. On busy days the line can close 20 to 30 minutes before the posted end time. Photos aren't printed; they go up on the photographer's Facebook page, and you're welcome to take your own. There's a suggested $2 donation per child.

The library has one more December event. Its newsletter lists a Scholastic Book Fair at the Lowell branch from December 7 through 14.

That puts Lowell's season on four dates: Christmas Through Lowell November 20 through 22, the library on November 28, Parade Day on December 5 ending at Nassau Park, and the last Showboat Santa visit on December 19.

Thinking about listing your Lowell home in the new year? The view of your street on a parade night or the walk to Nassau Park can tell buyers a lot, and our listing photography and video tours are made to capture it. The Ruvoli Group can map out how we'd present your home. Request Your Free Home Marketing Plan.