50th & France Holiday Lighting Ceremony. Photo: 50th & France
The annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony will feature family-friendly activities and a festive environment to kick off the holiday shopping season.
Edina residents are invited to welcome the holiday season and support local businesses at the annual 50th & France Holiday Lighting Ceremony. Taking place on November 30, the event will feature shopping, a tree and menorah lighting ceremony and family-friendly activities all afternoon and evening.
The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with a free Santa meet and greet along with Sparkles the Elf at Ispiri Design Studio. The North Star Art Club will also provide free cookies, hot chocolate and holiday crafts. At 4 p.m., the pair will move to Nolan Mains with cookies and cocoa hosted by Cooks|Bellecour. Santa will then arrive at the fountain on 50th Street for the tree lighting at 5 p.m.
Visitors can also enjoy carolers from 2:30–4 p.m. and free sleigh rides with a receipt from a district retailer and restaurant.
The Holiday Lighting Ceremony will kick off at 4:30 p.m. with a sing-a-long led by the Edina High School Chamber Singers and a Prima Dance Performance of The Nutcracker. Santa will arrive at 5 p.m. with free hot chocolate and cookies, with additional cookies available for purchase from Thumbs Cookies.
Platinum Dance will perform and Edina High School Chorale will sing carols at 5 p.m. before speeches from 50th & France Business Association director Rebecca Sorensen and event sponsor Gateway Bank’s Tom Delaney. At 5:15 p.m., The Voice semi-finalist Kat Perkins will perform alongside musician Leo Dworsky.
At 5:30 p.m., Edina mayor James Hovland will light the tree; at the same time, Hennepin County Commissioner Heather Edelson will light a menorah sponsored by the Edina Multicultural Initiative. The evening will conclude with a performance from Perkins and Dworsky with the Edina High School Chamber Singers.
Small Business Saturday
The Holiday Lighting also falls on Small Business Saturday and provides an opportunity to explore the 125 shops, restaurants and other businesses at 50th & France. Many will be participating in a window display contest, with a full list available on the 50th & France website. Visitors can vote for their favorite display via Instagram by messaging @50thandfrance or at tinyurl.com/holiday-windows.
Professional gift wrapping will be available as well from It’s A Wrap, located at 3924 W. 50th Street, with free wrapping on your first gift with a 50th & France business receipt.
1–6 p.m. November 30; 3902 W. 50th Ave., Suite C. Edina, MN 55424
