Light Up the Season returns Saturday, Dec.2—with new seasonal attractions

Light Up the Season, the annual downtown Hayward winter-time celebration and lighting ceremony is returning to the City Hall rotunda and plaza the afternoon and evening of Saturday, Dec. 2, with some new attractions.

After two-years of virtual and scaled-back Light Up the Season programs due to COVID-19, the City of Hayward reintroduced the event in 2022 with the goal of creating a time and place for Hayward residents to come together in a spirit of inclusion, and to share and celebrate winter-time traditions of our diverse communities. How do you celebrate Twin Luminaries, Mawlid al-Nabi, Chalica, Bodhi Day, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lohri, Pongal, or other occasions that have the common them of remember there is light even during the season of long nights?

This year, the event will again feature performances and offerings by community organizations, school groups and local businesses.  New additions to this free, family-oriented event include an artificial ice-skating rink coupled with a skating performance, opportunities for community members to skate, and skates to borrow.  The Oakland Roots professional soccer club will run a soccer skill and fun zone. The Bay Philharmonic will cap off the performances with a sing-along.

During the event, the City will also continue its tradition of holding a lighting of a seasonal tree and other decorations just after sundown at approximately 5 p.m.  Curbie, the Hayward Public Library bookmobile, will also be in attendance.

If you have questions about Light Up the Season—or are interested in participating in some way to add to the event or in future years, contact Zach Ebadi, of the Hayward City Manager’s Office, at (510) 583-3911 or by email at zach.ebadi@hayward-ca.gov.

  Also happening in Downtown Hayward on Saturday, Dec. 02  

SantaCon 2023, a fundraiser for those 21 years of age and older, benefiting the Hayward Animal Shelter. Find additional details about this event and discover other ways to support the Hayward Animal Shelter this holiday season in our news section.