Illustration of a santa visit scene (Light the Lights – Winter Festival)
Christmas Lights

Light the Lights – Winter Festival

Visitors gather on the Green to watch the official downtown lighting and marvel at a 40-foot holiday tree. The festival features live entertainment, holiday music, and an evening fire truck parade delivering Santa for photo opportunities. Guests can browse gifts from local vendors while enjoying hot chocolate, cookies, and soup provided by The Salvation Army.

What to Expect

Downtown Danbury celebration featuring a 40-foot holiday tree and fire truck parade.

Event Details

Ages

All ages

Neighborhood

Downtown Danbury

Timed Entry

No

Organizer

CityCenter Danbury

Food & Drink

The Salvation Army will offer hot chocolate, cookies, and soup.

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families and holiday shoppers

Vibe

Festive and communal

Energy Level

Moderate

Budget

Free

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

High

Location

Danbury CityCenter Green
1 Ives Street, Danbury, CT 06810
Danbury, CT
06810

Know Before You Go

  • Tickets: Free.
  • Hours: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Tips & Advice

  • Bring your camera, because Santa arrives by fire truck and it makes a great photo moment for the whole family.
  • Stay through the evening for the fire truck parade, which locals see as the highlight of the festival.
  • Dress warmly for an evening outdoors on the Green in December, especially if you plan to stay for the light-up and parade.
  • Stop by The Salvation Army for hot chocolate, cookies and soup between the shopping and the live entertainment.

Quick Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it good for kids?

Yes. It's open to everyone, with festivities for all ages. Santa arrives on a fire truck, and there's a fire truck parade.

Who lights the tree?

Danbury's Mayor, Roberto Alves, does the official light-up of downtown, including the 40-foot holiday tree on the Green.

Is there food and drink?

The Salvation Army hands out hot chocolate, cookies and soup for everyone.

What else is there to do?

There's holiday shopping from local vendors, holiday music and live entertainment, plus the evening fire truck parade.

How can I be a vendor?

Sign up through CityCenter Danbury's Light the Lights Winter Festival vendor page.

Tags

holiday light displaysfamily friendlySanta visitstree lightingfireworkscommunity celebrationfree eventfestive foodholiday tradition

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Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The Christmas Events Near Me editorial team