Bright Nights Special Edition

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

The time has come to launch the 29th season of Bright Nights at Forest Park, the Northeast’s premier holiday lighting experience!

We are so very proud of the “treasured tradition” we have created with our partners at the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management, the memories that have been made, and the economic stimulation Bright Nights has provided for our community.

This year, we are excited for the continued growth of Santa’s Magical Forest. It is a stop you will want to make on your visit to Bright Nights.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-- Judy Matt

President

Bright Nights Tickets Now on Sale!

The 29th season of Bright Nights at Forest Park will open on Wednesday, November 22nd at 5pm. Admission on opening night will be just $6, the same price that was charged in 1995 when Bright Nights at Forest Park made its debut. Over the past 29 years, a lot has changed, but the iconic displays have stayed the same.

The Cat in the Hat will be waving at the entrance to Seuss Land as he has been doing since 1995. The deer in Winter Woods will bound across the road. Toy Land will still be a storied land for children to dream of living in.

Santa’s Magical Forest continues to grow with activities, attractions, and Santa who will be in residency through Christmas Eve. He has a cozy cottage to welcome visitors, listen to holiday wish lists, and pose for photos whether you use your own or purchase an affordable photo package.

Bright Nights at Forest Park will be open from Wednesday, November 22nd to January 1st, closed November 27th and 28th. The lights will be lit every night at 5pm, and until 9pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays that include Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

Get your tickets today at brightnights.org!

Santa's Magical Forest

Hear the organ play. See the carousel spin. Take a selfie. Shop, snack, and see Santa. It all awaits in Santa’s Magical Forest located after visitors drive through the display featuring Dr. Seuss’ famed characters.

Throughout the season, there will be special appearances, musical performances, and every night visitors can take a ride on the grand carousel, purchase a souvenir, and pick up a treat. The Snow Queen and Ice Princess will greet guests on Tuesday, December 5th and December 12th. The Grinches Granddaughter will welcome all on Saturday, December 16th, and Elf on the Shelf will be on the scene on Sunday, December 17th. On Tuesday, December 4th and 11th, there will be free face painting. Wednesday, December 5th and 12th will be Zoo Nights with special activities at the Zoo at Forest Park.

For a full schedule of activities visit brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Admission Discounts

In addition to opening night admission being reduced, it is also being discounted on Tuesday, December 5th and December 12th. Prepaid tickets are just $10 each. It is $10 Tuesdays!

Big Y World Class Markets is selling general car admission tickets for $18 each with Big Y Membership. These are great gifts for family, friends, teachers, and neighbors.

Businesses can also purchase discounted tickets for $18 with a minimum order of 25 tickets. Orders can be placed at brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Gift Shop

The Bright Nights Gift Shop will be stuffed with Bright Nights attire, shirts, hats, bibs, stuffed toys, and more. There will handmade chocolates from Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe, toys, and an array of gifts from local crafters.

Pablo the Polar Bear, who can be seen in lights at the entrance to the Blizzard Tunnel in North Pole Village, is featured in this year’s Bright Nights children’s book. It tells the story of his sledding adventure with Penny the Penguin. It was written by Michele Dufresne and illustrated by Max Stasiuk. Books are just $10 with a plus toy version of Pablo costing $15. The package with the book and Pablo is $24.

The Bright Nights Gift Shop is located in Santa’s Magical Forest, which is accessed by taking a left into the parking lot after Seuss Land.

Bright Nights Military & Emergency Responders Nights

The entrance to Bright Nights at Forest Park will be lined with American Flags to welcome military, veterans, public safety officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and their spouses, and Gold Star Families. They will be treated to Bright Nights, a free ride on the carousel for the children, and a car jar from Yankee Candle.

Guests will be greeted by Major General Gary Keefe, The Adjutant General for the Massachusetts National Guard, Colonel Gregory Buchanan and his colleagues from the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Evan Breeding, members of the Springfield Police and Fire Departments, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, members of the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee, and the JROTC from the High School of Commerce.

Learn more at brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Special Experiences

Climb aboard the magical carriage. Dine with Santa at the Barney Carriage House. These are special experiences that can be added to a visit to Bright Nights at Forest Park.

Although availability is limited carriage rides are still available. They travel from Santa’s Magical Forest on a 30 minute tour that includes Seuss Land, Garden of Peace, Jurassic World, and more. The carriage is an intimate experience for as many as four adults. Reservations are $250 and include one complimentary admission ticket to Bright Nights.

On Sunday, December 3rd, Friday, December 8th, and Sunday, December 10th, Santa will be dining at the Barney Carriage House. His culinary team will serve a family-friendly menu, and Santa will take time to visit every table. Children will go home with a souvenir mug as a memory of the Supper with Santa.

Make reservations for wagon and carriage rides, and Supper with Santa at brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Supporters

Bright Nights at Forest Park is supported in various ways from corporate donors to volunteers. The Springfield Police Department tend to the cameras, which visitors can watch at brightnights.org, and the musical broadcast that was created by Keith, Charlie, Patricia, and Tony. Charlie and Patricia also created the public service announcements. Leslie has been putting in overtime to get the gift shop decorated.

The Greater Springfield business community has been lending their support for 29 years. This year’s sponsors include American Medical Response, Balise, Baystate Health, Big Y World Class Markets, Charlie Arment Trucking, Comcast, Eastman-Indian Orchard, Eversource Energy, Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, Health New England, iHeart Media, MassLive, MassMutual, Mercy Medical Center, MGM Springfield, MP CPA’s, PeoplesBank, Sarat Ford, Sheraton Springfield, Springfield Thunderbirds, The Republican, The CW Springfield and WWLP-22 News.

Yankee Candle donated candles with Bright Nights displays that will be on sale in the Gift Shop, and The Barn Yard delivered the cottage for Santa’s stay in his Magical Forest.

Breaking Baby News

Congratulations to Spirit of Springfield Board Chair John Sjoberg and his wife, Professor Brenda Garton-Sjoberg, on the birth of their first grandson, John Michael Sjoberg. John will be answering to Far Far and Brenda to Nana. His proud parents are Stefan and Alison Sjoberg. Equally as proud is his Uncle Bo.

He was born just in time for the opening of Bright Nights at Forest Park's 29th season!

In this Issue

Bright Nights Tickets

Now on Sale!

Santa's Magical Forest

Bright Nights

Admission Discounts

Bright Nights Gift Shop

Bright Nights Military

& Emergency

Responders Night

Bright Nights

Special Experiences

Bright Nights Supporters

Guest Column

Anthony Cignoli

A. L. Cignoli Company

Bright Nights Loyalty Card

Guest Column

Anthony Cignoli

President, A. L. Cignoli Company

When I travel or speak to people around the country and I share where I’m from, the response is often recognition of things Springfield is known for. Dr. Seuss, Basketball, Washington’s Armory and Richie Neal are what I hear most.

Over the past 29 years though, I’ve heard, more and more; “Is that the place with the Christmas lights?” You might expect that I’d hear that mostly in New England. But from Dallas, TX, Dearborn, MI, Knoxville, TN, Kennebunkport, ME to Wasilla, AK, people have told me they have heard of Bright Nights.

29 years of doing something great, something that gets better every year and that now has meaning to generations within the same family, has a way of spreading far and wide. Springfield, MA has been on the map, from even before General Washington decided this was the place for an Armory, but Bright nights has helped to keep it on the map – with a bright and shining beacon.

Generations. Families. Children who were among the first to ride with their parents through Bright Nights, return now with their own children. So many stories and smiles. Holiday, family memories forever.

Life is so fast now. 24-hour news cycles, instant messaging, texts, constant social media, phone pinging and dinging incessantly. Bombardment.

Bright Nights gives us a welcome chance to slow down. To shut it all out for just a bit. To feel and breathe in the spirit of nature in historic Forest Park. To be energized with the power of those wonderful lights. To remember holidays past, to be in the present.

When Bright Nights began, the founders knew Springfield needed something hopeful and powerfully positive during a dark time. Springfield is thriving now. Bright Nights has become legendary, something we share with our neighbors and beyond.

In this weary time for the world, Bright Nights offers us hope. It is a constant, our North Star, a tradition we can count on. Bright Nights is that special light, 700,000 of them, that remains burning to welcome us home to a season of hope and love.