Hill City Celebrations To Host 2025 Festival of Lights, First Night

ONEONTA—It’s the most wonderful time of year at Hill City Celebrations,” said Sean Lewis, chair of the Hill City Celebrations Board of Directors, as the organization gears up for the 2025 holiday season.

The annual Festival of Lights in Neahwa Park will run from Saturday, December 13 through Thursday, January 1 and, on December 31, Oneonta’s New Year’s Eve celebration will return to the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, offering free indoor entertainment and light refreshments for the whole family from 5-8:30 p.m.

The Festival of Lights, sponsored by Five Star Subaru, begins at sunset on Saturday, December 13, and all are invited to enjoy the first lighting, hot cocoa, popcorn, homemade cookies, entertainment, and visitors from the North Pole, including Santa Claus, organizers said. The festival will run every night through New Year’s Day. Admission is free every night and all are welcome to drive through Neahwa Park to enjoy dozens of light displays from area organizations and businesses.

“The Festival of Lights has become a treasured holiday staple for Oneonta and its surrounding communities,” said Lewis. “This year, it will be bigger than ever, with new organizations participating in fabulous light displays across the park. On New Year’s Eve, our First Night celebration at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center has been a beloved family-friendly event for over two decades.

“Hill City Celebrations was founded as First Night Oneonta, and we are honored to carry on this event as a tribute to our organization’s establishment providing a safe, admission-free, substance-free family event as we ring in the new year,” Lewis added.

Hill City Celebrations’ First Night celebration on New Year’s Eve at the Foothills is free and will feature light refreshments; performances from local entertainers—including music from Bobby Curious, a martial arts demonstration from Harmony Martial Arts, and performances from area dance schools—children’s activities, juggling, balloon art, face-painting, the Hill City Ice Queen and Friends, and so much more.

For those interested in setting up a display for the 2025 Festival of Lights, it’s not too late. E-mail firstnightoneonta@gmail.com to secure a spot in the park. Display set-up will take place from Saturday, November 29 through Friday, December 12. To learn more about becoming part of the entertainment line-up on New Year’s Eve, e-mail Lewis at slewis@otsegocc.com.

Formerly First Night Oneonta, Hill City Celebrations’ mission is to promote and celebrate arts and culture in a family-friendly, alcohol-free atmosphere. A dedicated board of volunteer directors oversees the organization’s annual events.

“Because of donations from Five Star Subaru and many generous community sponsors, Hill City Celebrations is proud to offer free admission to its events throughout the year, including the Oneonta Festival of Lights, New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, and the Hometown Fourth of July in Neahwa Park,” officials said in a recent press release.

Learn more at www.hillcitycelebrations.com or follow Hill City Celebrations on Facebook.