First up, one of the city’s most festive traditions brings together lights, local vendors, and holiday spirit at one historic spot....
Each year, Lanterman’s Mill gets fully dressed up for Christmas: wreaths hung at the center of every window, each finished with a red bow — a classic look we love. It’s worth seeing on its own, but there’s no better time than their annual Christmas at the Mill event on November 29th & 30th (11 AM–3 PM). Visitors can browse holiday vendors, enjoy fire-roasted chestnuts and hot drinks, and shop for holiday gifts from local businesses. Dress warm and head down — and while you’re there, bring a new hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to hang on the Giving Tree. All donated items go to local children and adults who could use a little extra warmth this winter.
December 5th turns downtown into a full holiday moment. The night opens at 4 PM with the Youngstown Flea on Phelps: Holiday Edition, where local vendors and makers line the pedestrian path.
By 6 PM, the Holiday Parade makes its way through downtown, with floats, marching bands, and the kind of cheerful chaos that only happens once a year. Crowds line the streets, kids wave at every passing character, and suddenly it’s festive in a way that gets to everyone, even the most committed Youngstown cynics.
That momentum carries straight into the Christmas Tree lighting around 7:15. The countdown, the glow, the collective “ahh” when the lights flip on — it’s simple, but it gets you every time.
And if the night feels too good to end, it doesn’t have to. V2, Imbibe, Avalon, and The Federal are all nearby for a nightcap.
Speaking of Light Up Night, here’s a simple way to get involved and give back. The Special Projects Office is collecting artificial Christmas trees to create an indoor holiday display on Phelps Street. All collected trees will be donated after the parade and tree lighting to families in need, helping brighten homes this holiday season. The trees will be showcased inside Twisted Roots (formerly the Octave Lounge) as part of downtown’s seasonal celebrations.
Tree drop-offs are accepted on Thursday, December 4, from 10 AM to 12 PM at 34 N. Phelps Street. If you want to stick around and help with the display setup, extra hands are always welcome, says the owner of Twisted Roots
If the parade and night market aren’t exactly your scene, or you’d rather stay warm indoors, Christmas in the Air at Stambaugh Auditorium is the perfect alternative. And honestly… who needs the Rockettes at Radio City when Stambaugh delivers its own holiday spectacle?
There’s truly no better place to be during the holidays than Stambaugh: soaring ceilings, ornate details, and that grand, old-world drama it does best. Fun fact: its design was loosely inspired by the Pantheon in Paris — consider this your sign to experience it for yourself.
Doors open at 6 PM, with the show beginning at 7. Expect a full holiday production — synchronized Rockette-style dancers, world-class singers, actors, and an entire cast of festive characters. It’s polished, nostalgic, and big in all the right ways.
It’s also the perfect excuse to get dressed up and turn the night into a full “dinner and a show” moment. Downtown will be busy thanks to the parade and tree lighting, so make reservations in advance — Casa di Canzonetta fits the itinerary perfectly. And after the final number, end the night with a nightcap at The Federal, currently dressed in its own holiday best.
If your holiday daydreams lean more toward “rustic charm” than “downtown rush,” White House Christmas on the Farm offers a softer, countryside alternative. From 11 AM to 4 PM, the property transforms into its own winter vignette: horse-drawn wagon rides (for anyone secretly wishing their life had a Hallmark narrative arc), open fire pits for roasting s’mores, and the Winter Gift Barn stocked with seasonal finds and local makers.
Hot chocolate and coffee from Coze keep things warm, and the afternoon feels like stepping into the rural version of holiday escapism — no plot twist necessary.
If there’s one place in Youngstown that feels like stepping straight into a Christmas movie set, it’s the Arms Family Museum during Memories of Christmas Past. Now in its 17th year, this beloved Mahoning Valley tradition transforms the historic Arms home into a layered, sparkling world of vintage trees, old-fashioned ornaments, twinkling lights, and carefully curated Christmas vignettes. Every room feels like a time capsule — beautiful, a little magical, and so very Youngstown.
Now through December 31, 2025, the museum’s seven period rooms are filled top to bottom with decorations pulled from the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s collection, along with treasures on loan from local collectors. If you grew up here, this exhibit feels like walking through the attic of every grandparent, neighbor, and aunt who went all-out for the holidays.
And if you love a good vintage find (or just want something unique), the two on-site gift shops feature both nostalgic and newly made holiday pieces.
Hours & Details:
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 12–4 PM
Twilight Thursdays: December 4, 11 & 18 (open until 7 PM)
Twilight Tuesday: December 23 (open until 7 PM)
Special Monday Opening: December 29, 12–4 PM
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
If you’re building your holiday list of “must-do Youngstown things,” this one belongs right at the top. It’s festive, nostalgic, and a reminder of just how charming the Valley can be in December.
Give back this holiday season by lending a hand at United Way’s Saturday of Caring. Volunteers help pack groceries and deliver them to residents unable to leave their homes — a simple, meaningful way to brighten someone’s December. You can choose to pack, deliver, or do both, making it easy to fit into your day.
Packing begins at 8 AM at the Volunteer Resource Center (parking available next door at Lee Eye Care, 8135 Market Street). Staff will guide volunteers through the packing process, which usually takes about an hour, then direct anyone delivering groceries to their route.
It’s a chance to share some holiday cheer while helping families in the Valley enjoy a little extra comfort this season. Sign up here.
From downtown events to acts of giving, the holidays in Youngstown are as much about people as places, and if you pay attention, you’ll find plenty of moments to celebrate.