Fremont getting 'frosty' for holidays

FREMONT — Downtown Fremont Inc. themed this year's local holiday celebration as Frostry Fremont: A Snow Globe Christmas. Here's a preview of what's happening: • See the storefronts — Downtown businesses will decorate their storefronts for the season starting on Friday, Nov. 28. Community members are being asked to vote on the Downtown Fremont Inc. Facebook page for their favorite decorated storefronts. The contest will remain open through Sunday, Dec. 7. The business with the most likes will be declared the winner. • Peruse shops for Pink Friday — This Friday kicks off Pink Friday, a promotional event for small businesses. People are encouraged to support small businesses, shop locally and pick out holiday gifts at the variety of shops throughout downtown Fremont. The Pink Friday event spans throughout the 2025 holiday season. • "Shrek" takes the stage — The Fremont Community Theatre will perform an excerpt from "Shrek, the Musical" at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28 at the Fremont Community Amphitheater, 209 S. Arch St. This is a free performance. People are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for sitting purposes. • Time for tree lighting — Fremont's tree lighting ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28 at the corner of Croghan and Front streets. There will also be a holiday kickoff Sip & Shop event. Caroling will be available from Grace Brethren Chapel. And, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a pre-tree lighting performance from Fremont Ballet School. • Stop by and see Santa — Also on Friday, Nov. 28, Santa Claus will start seeing children at his Fremont home. On this night, he'll be there from 5-7 p.m. Santa's visitation continues at the corner of Front and Croghan streets through Christmas from 5-7 p.m. on Fridays and from 1-3 p.m. on Saturdays. If people miss Santa, they can drop off letters at his mailbox, outside the home, from Nov. 28 through Dec. 16. People can receive a letter back from Santa so long as they have a return address on the letter. • Support small businesses — Saturday, Nov. 29 marks Small Business Saturday, and it's a time to remind consumers how these stores and companies "play a key role in helping our community thrive," according to an event statement. "Take that day to get out to shop, dine and support local businesses." People can take part in the Shop Small Drawing ballot box contest for a chance to win prizes. The contest will end on Friday, Dec. 19. • Come out to indoor market — The Indoor Holiday Market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at multiple different locations: MoonShine Nightclub & The Jewel Ballroom, at 109 S. Front St.; and Live Edge Center, at 115 S. Front St. "This is a great opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts and support businesses in downtown Fremont and surrounding areas," the statement read, noting they'll be more than 50 vendors. • Pop out to parade — The 30th-annual Downtown Fremont Holiday Parade is slated to start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. "This evening parade creates a sparkling atmosphere throughout downtown with the lighted light poles to the glistening floats and vehicles in the parade," the statement read. "The parade starts at Roger Young Park and proceeds north on Front Street, and participants will turn left at Croghan Street and then disperse." There will be prizes for the best entrants/floats. People can learn more by visiting downtownfremontohio.org/holiday.