Coming Events

We’re approaching the holidays, and there is no shortage of fun events for people of all ages.

Friday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. Headwaters Park ice skating rink opens with an Ice Skating Extravaganza presented by the Fort Wayne Ice Skating Club. Are you afraid of ice skating because you never had the chance to learn how to do it? (Important safety tip: if you see me coming toward you look out because I never learned how to stop without running into something or someone.) Headwaters Park offers lessons for the young and old beginning on November 29. Don't forget, kids under 14 skate for free on Fridays, so bring the whole family down to Headwaters Park and enjoy this holiday season on the ice!

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 6:15 p.m., HOLIDAY FEST kicks off with one of Fort Wayne’s most enduring holiday traditions, the HolidayFest Lighting Ceremony beginning with Santa and his reindeer at Main & Calhoun. But that’s just the beginning. In addition to the lighting of Santa at the National City Bank on Main Street, you’ll also see the lighting of the Wells Fargo Holiday Tree at the Wells Fargo building on the corner of Wayne and Calhoun streets, and the lighting of the Indiana Michigan Power Christmas Wreath at One Summit Square. This is a FREE event and if you’re new to Fort Wayne it’s absolutely a don’t miss for the young and the young at heart.

Busy the night before Thanksgiving? Not to worry, the Embassy Theatre, Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, History Center, Headwaters Park, Grand Wayne Center and Science Central are participating in HolidayFest 2008 with a range of fun-filled holiday activities throughout the season. Check out details at http://www.downtownholidayfest.com/index.php. The only hard part will be figuring out how to get to everything that you want to see.

Make a day of it by attending several events, or better yet, stretch it into the early evening so you can stop to see Santa and his reindeer and gnosh on a couple of hotdogs at the Coney Island on Main Street. And then add a little magic to the holiday season with a visit to the 14th Annual Fantasy of Lights (which also opens Nov. 26). Take your time as you enjoy a 1½-mile drive through Franke Park on Sherman Boulevard. Listen to your favorite holiday music in the warmth of your car while gazing upon over 75 larger than life, brilliantly lighted holiday displays. This is the perfect holiday event for all ages! Proceeds ($5 per car) from Fantasy of Lights benefit programs and therapies for children and adults with disabilities.