Winterfest will kick off Friday at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron.
This is the 13th consecutive winter that the city will provide outdoor events on Main Street.
Some of Winterfest’s attractions include: A 10,000-square-foot, outdoor, ice-skating rink, the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Reindeer Run slide, the Welcome Santa Parade, Polar Putt-Putt, Countdown to First Night, Breakfast With Santa and the Polar Cub Rink.
Mayor Dan Horrigan and the Downtown Akron Partnership encourage visitors to make the most of downtown Akron by having a meal or drinks at one of the more than 30 restaurants and bars before or after their visit to Lock 3 Park.
Here’s a summary of some of the attractions and upcoming events:
• The ice rink: The Lock 3 ice ink opened Friday and will be open through Presidents Day, Feb. 20. Admission is free. Skates can be rented for $3. Skate rental closes 30 minutes before the rink closes. Anyone who brings a same-day receipt from a downtown restaurant or bar to Lock 3 will receive a free ice-skating rental valid in January and February.
• Polar Cub Rink: The 28-foot-by-48-foot rink designed for beginner skaters, age 14 or younger, is an all-weather, indoor/outdoor, synthetic skating surface and is one of the newest attractions at Lock 3. The Polar Cub Rink will operate during the same hours as the ice rink.
• Akron Children’s Museum: After years of planning and a pop-up museum at Lock 3 last year, the newly remodeled Akron Children’s Museum is officially open. The museum features interactive exhibits and activities focused on science, technology, engineering and math, health and wellness, arts and culture. Admission is $5. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 31.
• Polar Putt-Putt: Enjoy nine holes of indoor miniature golf on a course that winds through holiday decor. The cost is $3 for nine holes and a hot chocolate.
• Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: At 7 p.m. Friday, the city and the Downtown Akron Partnership will light up the night sky over Lock 3. The half-hour program will feature the Ohio City Singers, the lighting of the Akron Christmas Tree and fireworks.
• Welcome Santa Parade: The parade, featuring more than 75 units, will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade will ends with Santa coming to town. All Lock 3 attractions will be open.
• Reindeer Run: The 150-foot, all-season, polymer-coated slide is designed for children 14 or younger. Adults can accompany children on the slide. Only sleds provided by Lock 3 can be used and are rented for $3 for 30 minutes. Purchase a wristband and time slot at the skate rental desk.
• Breakfast with Santa: Breakfast with Santa will take place 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18. Breakfast is $10 and includes pancakes with toppings, sausage, hot chocolate and orange juice; access to the Akron Children’s Museum; and a choice of a skate rental, Reindeer Run wristband or a game of Polar Putt-Putt. Reservations are recommended by calling Lock 3 at 330-375-2877.
• Countdown to First Night: The countdown is a celebration in diversity and the largest community visual arts display in Northeast Ohio. It features 40 hand-painted banners from schools, churches, community centers, ethnic organizations and civic groups. Each banner illustrates an expression of the winter holiday season. Lock 3 will unveil a new banner on the State Street Parking Deck facade each evening, beginning Friday and continuing through First Night.
• Vintage O’Neil’s window displays: Stroll down Main Street between Bowery and State streets to see what is billed as the largest seasonal vintage collection in Ohio. Displays include the Three Little Pigs, the Wizard of Oz, Three Men in a Tub, Alice In Wonderland, the Cabbage Patch Kids, Raggedy Ann and more.
• Story time: Local celebrities will read their favorite holiday books from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be provided.
• Crafty Mart Presents Cottage Mart: Crafty Mart is hosting a holiday pop-up market with a curated collection of area artists and makers in the outdoor wooden cottages Dec. 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18. Visit craftymart.org for more information.
• Lock 3 Jingle Bell Bash: The event at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at Lock 3 will benefit Ronald McDonald House of Akron. Admission is $10 at the door and each guest will receive two tickets to a raffle, one drink ticket and food. There will be coffee, hot chocolate, Thirsty Dog’s Christmas Ale, soda, holiday cookies and hors d’oeuvres available. Guests also will have free access to ice skating and Polar Putt-Putt during the fundraiser.
• Food and beverage: The concession stand at Lock 3 offers chili, soups and other hot items, as well as soft drinks and hot chocolate. Akron’s own Thirsty Dog brews are offered, including Lock 3 Lager.
Visit www.lock3live.com for a complete and regularly updated schedule of events and attractions.