On Nov. 30, Edina shopping and eating destination 50th and France and their sponsors hosted its annual Light Up the Night event to support small businesses and to celebrate the holidays.

  Light Up the Night offered many activities for adults and children to take part in. One of them was the horse-drawn carriage rides around the businesses with any purchase made. In the plaza, a Thumbs Cookies food truck offered mini cookies for families to snack on while listening to a local DJ and sipping on hot cocoa. Carolers went from store to store singing, spreading the holiday spirit. 

The tree lighting ceremony began at 5:30 p.m., where a crowd gathered around to watch the tree as it illuminated 50th and France. Afterwards, families got together and took pictures with Santa. To finish off the night there was a drone show above Lunds and Byerlys. The drones displayed light shows of different holiday symbols, including a Christmas tree, the Star of David, and presents.  

Sponsors Gateway Bank, Buhl Investors, Explore Edina, Our Lady of Grace Men’s Club, The Edina Multicultural Initiative, and Cooks Bellecour kicked off the holiday season for local businesses and shoppers. A Gateway Bank commercial lender Tom Delaney said his company has supported the event for three years. “It’s important just as a community to come together and show our support,” he said. He stayed all night, handing out light up tree necklaces to everyone who passed by. 

 Visiting Edina, Richard Flanagan Jr., and his family attended the event after finding out about the event through online marketing. Flanagan believes the holidays are great for reminiscing and spending time with loved ones. “[They’re] a time to be with family, to miss people you were with when you were younger, and to try to be more like them as you get older,” Flanagan said. 

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Dec. 19, 2024