Winter Lights Festival hosts Santa, food trucks on Water Street Mall

Get up on stage with Santa this month in downtown Aurora. Santa will make a guest appearance at Riverfront Playhouse after the city's official Winter Lights festivities Friday, Nov. 20.

New this year to Winter Lights, the city's annual festival that heralds the holiday season, are some special additions that will keep people downtown for a night of food, music, and shopping.

Santa on the Riverfront Playhouse stage is just one of the things that will bring the Winter Lights after-party to Water Street Mall in downtown Aurora. The pedestrian-friendly mall between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard will host Santa along with food trucks, activities at Culture Stock bookstore, and a Pop Up Shop at 13 S. Broadway.

The city will continue to host a shorter, one-hour festival including a parade, tree-lighting at the G.A.R. Museum, and a fireworks display along the Downer Place Bridge from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

"We wanted to add a more grassroots element to the traditional offerings of Winter Lights. Several businesses will be involved. River's Edge Cafe is roasting marshmallows, and other businesses will be open late. The food trucks and pop up shop will add to the party," said Marissa Amoni, event promoter for the Aurora Downtown organization.

The added activities are a chance to show off downtown businesses and nonprofit organizations, Amoni said. "The Riverfront Playhouse is a downtown staple that has brought community theater to the Fox Valley area for over 30 years. Some people still don't know it's there. Santa on the stage might do the trick of showing off our hidden gem," she said.

A mix of food trucks including Gobble Doggs, Grumpy Gaucho, and others will line up on Water Street Mall from 5 to 9 p.m. The pop-up shop features a variety of vendors offering gifts and goodies from 6 to 9 p.m.

Just like the pop up during First Fridays, local vendors will display goods for sale such as locally roasted coffee, soaps, baked goods, local art, and more. Organizer and city employee Justin Root expects over a dozen vendors.

"It's a good mix of local art, artisans, and businesses. It'll have a very Water Street Mall vibe in the spirit of Louche Puce Market and Alley Art Festival. We even borrowed a couple of their vendors like Kittens of Industry artist Jaime Torraco and the Picker Sisters," Root said.

Music by John and Lori Klatt will add to the festive "street" party.

For more information, visit auroradowntown.com or the Winter Lights event invitation on Facebook.