📅 Saturday, November 29, Parade begins at 5:30 p.m.
🎅 Meet Santa at First Congregational Church (line closes at 8:00 p.m.)
🙋 Volunteer opportunities: Sign up here.

Light Up Thomaston returns on Saturday, November 29th, bringing an evening of lights, music, and holiday traditions that many families in town and around the state look forward to all year. The celebration begins with the parade at 5:30 p.m., followed by activities, performances, and attractions spread along Main Street.

This year’s event features a wide mix of performers, vendors, and community groups. Santa and Mrs. Claus will parade the full route as usual, but instead of greeting families at the gazebo, they will be inside the First Congregational Church. The indoor location should make the visit more comfortable for both families and the Clauses. The line will close at 8:00 p.m., and everyone already in line at that time will be able to see Santa.

A lively assortment of entertainers will be stationed throughout town. Brian Eldridge will be playing guitar inside the Festival of Trees, while Matica Arts performers and magician David Reed Brown will be moving through the crowds, keeping families entertained while they wait in line. Super NovA will offer balloon art and face painting in multiple locations, and Jason Pipitone, whose act spans juggling, circus work, magic, stilt walking, and unicycling, will be stationed in front of Town Hall. Farm on Wheels will bring a set of farm animals for children to visit with, Logue Farms will offer tractor rides along the backroads behind Main Street, and the Roaming Railroad will provide one way rides through downtown on its trackless train.

Local churches and businesses will add to the festivities, offering everything from craft fairs to cookie walks, pony rides, and holiday treats. Volunteers and businesses will be stationed throughout the downtown area handing out cocoa, cookies, and warm drinks. Local photographer Nichole Strain (Photography by Strain) will be taking photos by the tree in Kenea Park, with images available for purchase after the event. Thomaston Savings Bank plans to hand out more than a hundred pizzas, and Thomaston Volunteer Ambulance Corps expects to distribute more than two thousand hot dogs.

This year’s preparations also received a boost from two local tree companies. Mr. Treeman and GM2 Tree Services have been helping fix and secure the lights on the First Congregational Church. The church’s height and the difficulty of reaching certain areas make it impossible for the dedicated volunteer light crew to handle, and event organizers expressed appreciation for the companies’ willingness to step in.

The Festival of Trees, Light Up’s largest fundraiser, will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Lena Morton Gallery. Visitors can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win decorated trees and gift baskets, with winners notified by text message and asked to respond within 15 minutes. Food donations for the Food Pantry will be collected throughout the event.

All activities at Light Up Thomaston are free. The celebration is supported entirely by donations from local businesses, along with fundraising throughout the year. Adams Hometown Market will host a Round Up program at checkout from November 30 through mid December to support next year’s event.

Volunteers are still welcome, especially to help with the train line near the library. The committee’s online signup form remains open, and residents can pitch in even if they decide to help on the day of the event.

Main Street will need to be clear of parked cars after 5:15 p.m. to make room for the parade. Porta potties will be available behind Town Hall. Dogs are not permitted at the event.

Light Up Thomaston organizers expressed their appreciation for the local businesses and community partners who make the celebration possible each year. This year’s sponsors include Perfect Timing Heating and Cooling, Lyon’s Funeral Home, Clocktown Brewing, Thomaston Comfort Control, Seabourne Malley & Turner, Salon C, Albie’s Package Store, Thai In Love, Cutie Pies, Barrett Family Oil, Thomaston Family Dental, Crabby Al’s, Henry M Osowiecki & Sons, LLC, and Gilliand & Gilliand.

Photo credit: Steve Lattimer