Peace Candle lighting ceremony Nov. 26 highlights full day of holiday activities, celebrations, entertainment in Easton
Easton’s Peace Candle – the city’s beloved holiday symbol representing a collective, universal wish for humanity – will be illuminated for the season on Saturday, Nov. 26, with a ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. in a newly renovated Centre Square.
The annual lighting is part of a day of festive and family-friendly activities from noon to 8 p.m. organized by the Easton Main Street Initiative, a program of Greater Easton Development Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Easton.
The day’s activities include Small Business Saturday, an opportunity for shoppers to visit more than 50 boutiques, shops and galleries in Easton to enjoy personal service, unique gifts and special deals while supporting local, independent businesses that are the heartbeat of a city’s economic well-being. Easton’s acclaimed eateries will be open for shoppers to relax, refresh and toast the season.
The Peace Candle also sits at the epicenter of Easton Winter Village, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 18 through Dec. 18, shoppers can browse over 40 holiday huts offering distinctive gifts and enjoy food trucks with tasty treats. The free Easton Winter Village offers entertainment daily including a skating rink, live holiday music, ice carving, a warming station, performances and much more. (EWV hours: Fridays 4-8 p.m., Saturdays noon-8 p.m., Sundays noon–6 p.m. eastonwintervillage.com)
The Nov. 26 schedule:
- Breakfast with Santa. 10 a.m. inside Bank Street Annex (advance tickets only, eastonsantabreakfast.eventbrite.com)
- Meet Santa’s Reindeer. 12-3 p.m. in Centre Square
- Photos with Santa. 1-5 p.m. in the Santa Zone (tickets highly recommended, photoswithsanta2022.eventbrite.com)
- Easton Middle School Band performance. 12-1 p.m. in Centre Square
- SwingTime Dolls performance. 1-3 p.m. in Centre Square
- Ice Carving Demonstration. 1-5 p.m. in Centre Square
- Little Brass Band. 1-4 p.m., strolling
- Cinderella Carriage Rides. 2-8 p.m.; Centre Square (advanced tickets required, cinderellacarriagerides.eventbrite.com)
- Easton Municipal Band. 4 p.m. on stage in Centre Square
- Organ Concert. 4 p.m. at First UCC Church, 27 N. Third St.
- Holiday Stilt Walkers. 4-6 p.m. in Centre Square
- Sing for America. 6 -6:30 p.m. on stage in Centre Square
- Rainbows and Unicorns performer. 6-7 p.m., strolling
- Candle Lighting Ceremony. 6:30-7 p.m. in Centre Square
- Sing for America. 7 -8 p.m. on stage in Centre Square
The Easton Pocket Lady will again be strolling Easton’s Winter Village on Peace Candle Lighting Day. She charms the children with her sweet smile and invites them to reach deep into one of her 52 coat pockets and find special surprises. From coins to dreidels, erasers and pencils, crayons and coloring pads, stuffed animals, and more, there is a delightful gift in every pocket. Most children like their prize, but there is no return. They only get to pick once.
For decades, Easton’s Peace Candle has shone as a visual reminder and call for peace. It stands 106 feet tall and is displayed from mid-November to mid-January around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Centre Square. The Christmas Candle (as it was called) was first lit in 1951 at an interdenominational program in honor of those serving in the armed forces.
The candle’s symbolism in 2022 could not be more apt or timely. Peacefulness has declined to its lowest level in 15 years fueled by post-COVID economic uncertainty and the Ukraine conflict, according to the 16th edition of the Global Peace Index from the international think-tank the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP).