Light Up the Park kicks off at Rochester City Park with lighting ceremony Dec. 13

Friday, December 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM

By Shelby Lopez

Rochester City Park will once again be glowing with holiday lights and festive displays for the second annual Light Up the Park event.

The event is ran by the Rochester Parks Department board, with this year activities being headed by board members Jessica Shafer and Tammy Williams. Shafer said their team is thankful for a $8,400 grant awarded by the Northern Indiana Community Foundation to support light expansion for the event. Shafer said this year they've gained many new volunteers and local businesses to help add to the festivities and support.

Those volunteering will be setting up lights in the park between Dec. 6 and Dec. 12.

“It's not a new event, it's just new to Rochester. It's taken years to finally put everything together and we found it takes a big team to make it happen, but we're excited to expand this year and make it a tradition here,“ Shafer said.

A Lighting Ceremony will be held on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. in the Rochester City Park. Lights will remain in the park and be lit each evening at dusk from Dec. 13 to Jan. 3. The north entrance from Park Road will be closed during that time and those wanting to drive around the park to enjoy the light display are asked to enter through the east entrance near the baseball diamond.