KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: 2023 downtown Youngstown holiday parade, Christmas tree lighting

The City of Youngstown is kicking off the month of December by lighting the city up with plenty of Christmas spirit with its annual holiday parade, Flea on Phelps and Christmas tree lighting Friday, December 1.
Here's everything you need to know before you go.
The festivities will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the Flea on Phelps. There will be plenty of local vendors as well as food trucks lined up on Phelps Street with various crafts, foods, pottery, clothing and much more for purchase.
The Flea will last throughout the duration of the event from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A complete list of vendors and food trucks can be found below.
- Midnight Violets In Clay
- Gingerly Suds & Such
- Tongue Punch Flavor Co.
- Bake Me Treats
- Krispies By Vel
-Lilac & Rose
- A Simple Thread
- The Violet Mirage
- Risi Food Co. (food truck)
- Master of None Leather Co.
- Minted Sweets
- Bandit Bands
- Laguardia Clayworks
- Originalglassworx
- Bare Elements
- Lola Bean's Boutique
- Staircase Ceramics
- June & Juliet Bow Co.
- Bonica Olor Candle Co.
- Corinne Katlyn Designs
- Ethereal Creations
- Youngstown Apparel
- The Oily House
- Harrington Hearth
- Banshee the Kid
- Ventresco Knits
- Beach Glass By Tracy
- Sweet Sally's Creations
- Sweet Jane Elderberry Syrup
- Nitro Flory Glass
- Aandr Designs
- Too Busy Thrifting
- Ol' Dirty Sheets
- Crowned Headbands
- Sweet Memories Vintage Tees
- OH Donut Co.
- The Pastimes
- Glorious Soaps & More
- Jason's Marvelous Popcorn
- Mamalagel's Bagels
- Rauschenbach Art
- Succulent Ladies
- Fat T's Cookies
- All Things Auto Art
- Culturehouse Coffee
- Wonder Lust Concepts
- Zappia Wood Creations
- Torta'mo (food truck)
- Little Paws Apparel
While you're out shopping, be sure to stop by participating downtown restaurants for food and drink specials, as well as some commemorative mugs courtesy of PLATT Insurance.
A complete list of food and drink specials and restaurant hours can be found below:
- Avalon Downtown: Hot Chocolate, Pizza Slices, Absolutely Not Your Mom's Hot Apple Cider (Drink Special) - 11 am - 2 am
- Draught House: $5 Drafts, coffee, $2 Domestics - 11:30 am to 2:30 am
- Gringo's Tacos: Hot Chocolate, Hot Mexican Punch - 12 pm – 2:30 am
- Mocha House: extended hours until 7 pm including full menu, drinks, desserts & holiday features including Frosty's hot cocoa float. Available solo or in the special mug.
The commemorative mugs will be distributed at the following locations:
- Avalon Downtown
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- The Federal
- Mocha House
- Noble Creature
- Penguin City
- Prima Cucina
- Whistle & Keg
After you're done shopping, you can head on over to Central Square for the music and entertainment stage sponsored by #1 Cochran Chevrolet Buick GMC. Guests can enjoy a DJ as well as live music between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Additionally, guests have the opportunity to explore the North Pole at 6 West Federal Street with some of their favorite Christmas characters including Buddy the Elf.
There will also be a pop-up shop courtesy of Spruce Home Decor and kids can get their pictures taken with Santa until 10:00 p.m.
Between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. the Oh WOW! Science Center will be holding an open house and offering guests free admission. Additionally, folks can check out a pop-up library courtesy of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County in Central Square between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The Christmas spirit will be turned up higher once the holiday parade steps off at 6:00 p.m. The parade will immediately followed by the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree at approximately 7:15 p.m.
The parade starts at the Covelli Centre parking lot. From there it will go straight onto Walnut Street, left onto Federal, left onto Vindicator Square, left onto West Front Street and then right into the Covelli Centre parking lot.
A map of the parade route is pictured below.

If you haven't registered for the parade but would like to participate, there is still time to do so. The deadline to register is Friday, November 24. You can register by clicking here.
A complete map including parking, restroom locations, commemorative mug locations, restaurants and street food locations and event locations can also be found below.

21 WFMJ is the media sponsor for this event, and we will bring you all the highlights live on 21 News at 5 and 6 on December 1.