2 Big Worcester Holiday Events Returning After Pandemic Hiatus

WORCESTER, MA — The holidays are back in Worcester.

Following pandemic-related postponements in 2020, two of Worcester's biggest holiday events are coming back. The Festival of Lights celebration at City Hall will return next month, and the organizers behind the Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade are pledging to hold the event in March 2022.

The Festival of Lights celebration kicks off Worcester's three-month holiday light display behind City Hall. On Dec. 3, there will be a Christmas tree lighting, a Hanukkah menorah candle lighting, plus activities like ice skating, food, a beer tent — and Santa Claus.

Of course, the coronavirus pandemic is not over. The event will feature safety precautions, and vaccines will be available for anyone over age 5. Worcester did set up light displays downtown in 2020, but kept the skating rink closed, and there were no major gatherings.

"As excited as we are to bring people back together this year, we are taking precautions to consider public safety," Worcester Cultural Development Officer Erin Williams said in a news release. "This mask-friendly event will be outdoors, the ice skating rink will have a capacity limit, and social distancing is a major consideration in the layout of the attractions."

Also this week, the St. Patrick's Day parade organizers announced they will hold a parade this year for the first time since 2019. The grand marshals will be City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. and Worcester Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh — two key figures in Worcester's fight against coronavirus. St. Patrick's Day will be observed on March 17 in 2022.