Hayward’s Light Up the Season community building event returns on Dec. 11

HAYWARD, Calif., Dec. 1, 2021—The City of Hayward and Eden Area Interfaith Council will hold a special winter holiday season lighting event in which community members are invited to gather at sundown to mark the moment and support each other and local businesses.

The 2021 installment of the annual Light Up the Season event—beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at City Hall Plaza, 777 B Street—will once again embrace the themes of Hope and Unity as it continues to adapt and respond to the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

This year, community members are invited to gather in the plaza and hold City-supplied, battery-powered tealight candles as Mayor Barbara Halliday delivers a seasonal message and decorative light displays are activated, transforming City Hall Plaza and the City Hall rotunda.

The rotunda will again be adorned with banners and a winter tree representative of Hayward’s diversity of seasonal faith and cultural traditions.  Masking and social distancing is encouraged.

During the event, Hayward firefighters will collect unwrapped toys for their annual Toys for Kids drive.  Hayward Animal Shelter staff will be on-hand with animals available for adoption and donation and volunteer opportunities and experiences.

The Hayward Adult School Raising Leaders project will be giving away 100 backpacks for school-age children and youth filled with school supplies and dental-hygiene products—while supplies last.

Also available and participating: Curbie, the new Hayward Public Library book mobile, desserts from Marley’s Treats, B Street and greater downtown merchants and restaurants, and more.