After creatively reinventing the 2020 event, organizers of Light Up Night announce that 2021 festivities will be live and in person.

“We’re really excited. We want this so badly for the community,” said Doug Marquette, president of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport.

“This event is important in my own life and it’s great to be able to offer to our community again this year.”

Featuring the lighting of the city Christmas tree, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and free food and novelty items, the event has been set for the evening of Thursday, Dec. 2.

Dozens of ABB member businesses will be set up along Main Street with free samplings of their products, festive food and drinks, holiday items or whatever they choose to distribute. Live entertainment – including appearances by the Bridgeport High School Jazz Ensemble, BHS and Bridgeport Middle School dance lines and dancers from Studio 9 Dance Academy – will also be part of the festive occasion. Booths and storefronts will be decked out in holiday style.

Main Street will close to traffic as community members can visit booths and enjoy entertainment. The highlight, as always, will be the 7 p.m. lighting of the Christmas tree at Benedum Civic Center. Though hosted by the ABB, the event is planned in conjunction with the City of Bridgeport, Bridgeport Police and Bridgeport Parks and Recreation. As is tradition, this year’s event will conclude with a fireworks display.

Businesses which are ABB members have been contacted with specifics about how to participate in Light Up Night. To participate, contact Hilary Gonzalez, hilary@kaufmanrealty.com.

The ABB is open to Bridgeport businesses paying B&O taxes to the city. To join, complete the attached form and return to the address indicated along with $95 membership dues. Dues are paid annually, and membership runs from January through December.

The ABB also hosts the Summer Kickoff and Food Truck Festival in early-June, participates in National Night Out in August, and hosts spring and fall meetings providing business tips and networking opportunities.

It was because of COVID restrictions and guidelines that the 2020 Light Up Night was a drive-through event with the actual tree lighting being livestreamed and partially televised. A new attraction born from the drive-through format was Light Up Your City featuring hundreds of city homes decorated in their holiday best. Light Up Our City will again be observed this year. Details will follow.