Lake George’s 2023 ‘Lite Up the Village’ holiday kickoff will be a 2-day event

The Village of Lake George’s popular “Lite up the Village” attracts thousands each year. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Village ushers in the holiday season with music, lights, fireworks, a lighted fire truck parade and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The 2023 event is expanding to two days to include the Grand Opening of Winter Realms, a new attraction at the Festival Commons in Wood Park. Winter Realms, brought to Lake George by the creators of Ice Castles, will open Friday evening, Nov. 24 and officially launch Lake George into the winter season.

Winter Realms will turn the Festival Commons into a winter wonderland with colorful lights, an ice-skating rink, ice sculptures, igloos, a Santa Village and a Polar Ice Bar. Tickets for Winter Realms will be available online beginning Nov. 1.

The festivities will continue on Saturday, Nov. 25, when the Village of Lake George will hold its annual Lite Up the Village celebration in Shepard Park with live music and sing-along beginning at 3 p.m. featuring the Newell Family, Matt Donnelly and Susie Q. There will be bounce houses, firepits and a hot chocolate station in the park and carriage rides up on the street. The popular Ugly Sweater Contest will be held at 5 p.m. with adult and child divisions. The top prize for adults is $250 and the winner in the children’s contest will take home $100 in gift cards.

At 6 p.m., the crowd will countdown to the lighting of thousands of LED holiday lights throughout Shepard and Blais Parks followed by fireworks over the lake. At 6:15, the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department’s Lighted Fire Truck Parade will travel down Canada Street past Shepard Park. The parade will feature decorated fire apparatus and floats as local fire companies compete for cash prizes.

Following the parade, the celebration moves to the Lake George Fire House on Ottawa Street where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be meeting with children. The Lake George Community Band will perform a concert of holiday tunes and refreshments will be served.

Lite Up the Village is a free event. Follow the Village of Lake George Facebook page for schedule updates.