Westfield in Lights makes its move to Grand Junction Plaza from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. The event, hosted by Westfield Welcome and presented by Downtown Westfield Association, includes outdoor activities, winter-themed games, food vendors, retail merchants, and live entertainment.
“We are thrilled to host Westfield in Lights at Grand Junction Plaza this year,” Mayor Andy Cook said. “Many events have moved into the plaza and it’s become exactly what it was intended to be – a gathering space for residents and their families in the heart of our downtown.”
A full list of events follows.
Westfield in Lights
Saturday, Dec. 3
A number of activities will take place at Grand Junction Plaza, including free winter-themed games, crafts, caricature artists, food vendors, retail merchants, live reindeer and llamas, a live nativity scene and a visit from Frosty the Snowman. The event culminates at 6:50 p.m. with the traditional Tree Lighting Celebration on the Riverview Health Main Stage. Mayor Cook will officially light the tree at 7 p.m. to kick off the holiday season in Westfield.
Free shuttle & parking
Due to the popularity of Westfield in Lights, a free trolley service will operate during the event. The Holiday Trolley, presented by Star Bank, will pick up and drop off attendees at Christ United Methodist Church, 318 N. Union St., and Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St., from 3 to 7:30 p.m.
Public parking for the event is also available in the gravel lot directly east of Grand Junction Plaza, in the parking lot at the southwest corner of Poplar and Park streets, and in designated on-street spots.
Pictures with Santa
Friday, Dec. 2 & Saturday, Dec. 3
Pictures with Santa will operate on a ticketed system. Participants will need to reserve their time at westfieldwelcome.com beginning at noon on Monday, Nov. 21. Pictures with Santa will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Both sessions will be located inside Christ United Methodist Church, 318 N. Union St. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorite gingerbread house hosted by the Girl Scouts of JoSheWe during the event on Saturday.
Letters to Santa
Letters to Santa will be available during Pictures with Santa at Christ United Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3. There will also be a mailbox with direct service to the North Pole located at Grand Junction Plaza beginning at Westfield in Lights on Saturday, Dec. 3 through Dec. 16.
Mailboxes will also be located outside Westfield City Services, 2728 E. 171st St., Grand Park Events Center, 19000 Grand Park Blvd., and the Westfield Washington Township Office, 1549 E. Greyhound Pass.
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope so Santa can reply promptly.
About Westfield Welcome
Westfield Welcome focuses on community engagement and hospitality for residents, businesses, and visitors. As a city department, Westfield Welcome hosts more than 25 annual events and provides hundreds of volunteer opportunities each year.