FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Downtown Fort Wayne is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Iconic holiday lights and displays are going up to get ready for the big reveal at HolidayFest. (More below)
Visit Fort Wayne released the following:
The 2025 Holiday Lights Challenge is Live!
Celebrate a merry and bright holiday season with the Fort Wayne Holiday Lights Challenge! Use the free pass to explore Fort Wayne’s most iconic holiday lights displays. Check-in to earn points and win exclusive Holiday Lights Challenge prizes!
This challenge is meant to encourage people to get out and enjoy the season together and is a fun way to invite visitors (and residents) to discover and enjoy all of our light displays.
Simply access the FREE Holiday Lights Challenge pass on your phone, check-in at Fort Wayne’s favorite holiday lights locations, and “unwrap” a special gift when you visit all 19 spots. Learn more at VisitFortWayne.com/HolidayLightsChallenge
HolidayFest returns! Downtown Fort Wayne put out the following on this year’s festive event:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights, presented by Lutheran Health Network and Downtown Fort Wayne, returns November 26 – December 31, 2025. This festive tradition has drawn thousands of visitors from Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana for decades, with past events seeing record attendance of more than 50,000 guests.
Each year, Downtown transforms into a vibrant holiday destination filled with colorful lights, festive displays, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can enjoy warm drinks, carolers, decorated storefronts, and special events hosted by local businesses and organizations.
The season begins Wednesday, November 26, with the annual Night of Lights, one of the region’s most cherished holiday traditions. Road closures throughout Downtown will be in effect from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., and lighting events start at 6:00 p.m. Details are available in the HolidayFest Guide, accessible both online and in person.
Credit: Rachel Von Stroup via Downtown Fort Wayne
Highlights include the return of the Parkview Field Holiday Lights walk-through featuring over one million lights synchronized to holiday music. New for 2025, guests can experience Fort Wayne’s first Downtown Drone Show, presented by Downtown Fort Wayne, with hundreds of drones creating a dazzling aerial display.
The Holiday Window Decorating Contest, themed “Candy Cane Lane,” invites businesses to create peppermint-inspired storefront displays. Public voting opens November 24, 2025, and continues through January 3, 2026.
Other events include the Festival of Gingerbread, Festival of Trees, and Holly Shopping on Small Business Saturday, November 29, presented by ProFed Credit Union and Downtown Fort Wayne.
“For decades, HolidayFest featuring the Night of Lights has brought joy and holiday magic to our community, lighting up Downtown with tradition, creativity, and spirit,” said Downtown Fort Wayne Director of Marketing, Preston Wallace. “We are excited to introduce new experiences like the Downtown Drone Show while continuing beloved programming that make this season special for families and visitors.”
For a full schedule and more information, please go to HolidayFestDowntown.com
Comments