Batavia Lantern Walk moves to Friday
The annual holiday event extends to 9 p.m. on Nov. 13 and adds a $25 wine-tasting pass for adults.
By Marco Alvarez ·
Downtown Batavia will host the annual Holiday Lantern Walk on Friday, Nov. 13. The free event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and marks the first time the celebration takes place on a Friday evening. Organizers extended the schedule by one hour to give attendees more time to shop and explore the district.
More than 30 local businesses participate in the event. Stores remain open late, displaying festive decorations and holiday merchandise. Illuminated lanterns line the streets between shops, creating a candlelight path for visitors walking or riding the holiday trolley.
Kristen Desler, assistant director of Batavia MainStreet, said the new timing allows guests to fully experience downtown. “The illuminated lanterns will create a charming candlelight experience, and the trolley makes it easy to travel from one side of downtown to the other- or back to your car at the end of the night,” she said in a news release.
The downtown area features several unique retail destinations. CaberNeigh sells equestrian-themed home goods and consignment items. Kitty Cocoa Cafe operates as the local cat cafe. The Batavia Boardwalk Shops stay open through Dec. 20, and Warehouse 55 offers 8,000 square feet of vintage finds and holiday décor. Ease Escape provides beauty products and facial experiences.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will appear at the event to take photos with children and distribute Downtown Dollars. The couple will give away hundreds of dollars in currency usable at participating shops.
A new wine-tasting option is available for adults 21 and older. For $25, ticket holders receive 12 one-ounce wine pours at participating businesses. The pass also includes an event map. Tickets are currently on sale.
Visitors can find event updates on downtownbatavia.com or by following @downtownbatavia on Instagram.
