Holiday cheer will be bigger, brighter in Arlington

Hometown Holidays is returning with more lights and more festivities in downtown Arlington.

"It seemed like an ideal time to spark a little bit bigger and a little bit brighter Holiday event," Arlington Mayor Barb Tolbert said. The pandemic caused cancellation of the in-person events for Hometown Holidays in 2020.

Hometown Holidays will remind residents of the importance of gathering in downtown and to shop at the local businesses, Tolbert said.

For 2021, people will enjoy seeing more holiday lights in Legion Park when they attend the tree lighting scheduled for 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, at Legion Park. People will also get to ride a holiday carousel that will be set up by Dec. 4 and available through Dec. 12, from noon to 7 p.m.

"We want to make Christmas magical for the community and visitors," said Sarah Lopez, community engagement director for the city of Arlington. The city received additional federal funding that allowed the city to enhance the holiday atmosphere.

Arlington's Hometown Holidays includes a full slate of events over the course of two weekends. In addition to the tree lighting on Nov. 27, visitors that evening can enjoy Shop Small Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., focusing on local businesses, stories read by Mrs. Claus, and classic cars decorated in holiday lights.

Arlington's Hometown Holidays Santa Parade begins at noon on Dec. 4.

"I'm sure it will be good participation because people are really into events," Lopez said of the parade. People can register for the Santa Parade, lighted cars or Shop Small at the city of Arlington's Hometown Holidays webpage.

Kids can visit Santa after the parade until 3 p.m at Legion Park and families can ride horse-drawn wagons or watch holiday movies at the Olympic Theater. "The Star" will be shown Nov. 27 and "Charlie Brown" and the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" will be shown Dec. 4.

For more information about Arlington's Hometown Holidays go to www.arlingtonwa.gov/202/Hometown-Holidays or on Arlington's Hometown Holidays Facebook page.