Youngstown may not be having a holiday parade due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the city will be hosting various holiday-themed events throughout the week.

On Friday, Dec. 3, the city of Youngstown, along with Youngstown CityScape, Premier Bank and other downtown venues will still be hosting the Light Up Night & Holiday Market with many downtown businesses participating in the festivities.

There will be a variety of events taking place throughout the day including a flea on Phelps St. from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The first 300 shoppers who purchase anything from the flea will receive a free tote bag courtesy of Spruce.

"It's great, we love coming downtown as we have a year-round store in miles, but there's nothing like downtown, especially the holiday season. So I think this season will be great as it will showcase Phelps and we will finally enjoy Phelps street for what it was built for," said Nicholas Giancola, Co-owner of Spruce.

In addition, pop-up shops will show up in Youngstown at various locations on various days throughout the week. Spruce will be located at 21 N. Phelps St. from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Spruce will be up until December 20.

HALO by Jojo Women's Boutique will be located at Concept Studio (217 W. Federal St.) on Thursday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the Rust Belt Print Shop will be located at the Boxcar Lounge (534, Mahoning Ave.) every Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. until December 19. 

The Oh Wow! Science Center will also be offering free admission to the first 125 guests from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Local restaurants will be offering drink specials including Avalon Downtown, Bistro 1907, Gringos, Prima Cucina, The Foundation, Mocha House, West 34, Youngstown Axe and more. All participating restaurants will also be offering commemorative mugs for customers to purchase with the drink specials. 

Gringos rolled out their Festive menu and drink for Friday night. They featured their Mexican punch to which is typically served on Christmas morning. 

Mocha House featured a non-alcoholic drink called Frosties Coco Float. They also expanded their hours till 7 pm. 

There will also be live music and entertainment on the stage on Commerce St. near Phelps St. from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Christmas tree lighting will also take place at 6:15 p.m. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will feature Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, the family who donated the tree and Madonna Chism-Pinkard representing 21 News.

If you can't make the Light Up Nights & Holiday Market, there's plenty more opportunities to get into the holiday spirit for the whole family.

Starting on Saturday, Dec. 4 and running through Friday, Jan. 7, Fellows Riverside Gardens will be hosting the Winter Celebration Festival of Trees Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center will be decked out with 60-holiday trees decorated by various area non-profit organizations. 

Another event currently being held Tuesdays through Sundays until Friday, Dec. 31 is Memories of Christmas Past at Arms Family Museum.

The event will be held from noon to 4:00 p.m. "Back to Greystone is an in-person experience portraying various festive decor and traditions from the 1900s through the 1930s blending Olive F. A. Arms's love of nature. It will include two onsite gift shops featuring traditional and vintage holiday items.

On Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5, the Butler Institute of American Art will be holding its American Holiday Craft Show from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Kids 12 and under get in free. Adult admission is $5 per person. The event will feature a variety of holiday art pieces including pottery, paintings, prints, glass, decor and so much more.

In addition, guests can also purchase chance auction tickets on both days of the event. Guests can purchase a maximum of 12 tickets to enter to win the various holiday pieces submitted by each artist. Winners will be drawn just before the closing of the event on Sunday. Winners will be notified by phone and must be present to claim their prize.

If you couldn't make it to the flea on Phelps St. during Light Up Night, the Youngstown Flea will be hosting another flea on Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5 at 365 E. Boardman St. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Vendors include Yo Greetings, Laguardia Clayworks, Originalglassworx, Bare Elements and much more. A complete list of vendors for both the Phelps Flea and the Holiday Flea can be found on the Youngstown Flea's website.

Fans of musical performance can head over to Powers Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m. or Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. to see The Nutcracker presented by Ballet Western Reserve. 

Tickets for the event can be purchased here.