11/22/2025
📣📣 IMPORTANT COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION 📣📣
I just wanted to take a moment to share something important happening that I’m really excited about this year. Rockport is doing something super special downtown, and if you haven’t driven through yet, the lights are incredible. The buildings all throughout the Cultural Arts District are covered up in lights. This is part of a new effort to really step up Christmas in the District, taking something that was already special and making it bigger, brighter, and more intentional.
To give you an idea of how much is happening: the buildings are completely wrapped in lights, Christmas decor is everywhere, there’s a Christmas tree getting lighted tonight by the City Mayor, special shopping nights, kids events, Santa & Grinch photo ops, letters to North Pole, gingerbread houses, live music, holiday markets, weekend lighted train rides, ice skating rink (yes- seriously!), and tons of other coordinated activities from local merchants. It’s the most complete holiday experience downtown Rockport has ever had.
BUT a lot of people still don’t know this is happening, so I want to help spread the word. This is not a one-night event. The lights will be coming on every single night through end of the year, and there is a full schedule of activities. The downtown merchants put together an entire calendar, and there are several pages where you can follow along and see everything that’s planned. So many people, businesses, organizations, and volunteers have been working behind the scenes for weeks to pull all of this together. I want to thank them, because this kind of effort makes a difference, but only if the community shows up for it.
Sooo I really want to stress how important the “showing up” part is. If we want more investment, more lights, bigger displays, bigger tree more events, more family activities, and more energy downtown every holiday season, then the turnout matters. The numbers matter. When people come downtown to walk around, take photos, visit the shops, get dinner, and participate in the events, it proves that Rockport wants this and will support it. That’s what allows this to grow year after year into something truly special. The more people we see out there this season, the more momentum we’ll have to expand this in the future.
As we all know, Rockport relies on tourism, especially during slower seasons, and we know the economy isn’t easy right now. This is something families can do for free. Walk or drive downtown, take pictures, look at the painted windows, drive through the displays at Christmas on the Beach, see the District lights, and enjoy everything that’s been set up. And during December, we’ll also have a straight up ice-skating rink downtown for three weeks! It’s all possible because people worked hard to put it together, but it only grows if people actually participate.
If you look at the walking map, you’ll see how many businesses are staying open late, especially on weekends. Many are open until 7pm or later. So this is really just me encouraging everyone to come out, spend some time downtown this winter, bring your family, tell your friends, and help make this something Rockport can build on every year.
Another thing I don’t want people to miss is the lighted train tours. Every weekend night at 6pm starting TONIGHT, the Rockport Railroad Depot will be running a lighted train ride through downtown. You can hop on at the Depot, take a little tour through the lights, and see the whole district from a really fun perspective. It’s a great option for families and anyone who wants to experience the lights in a different way.
And lastly, as a reminder, TONIGHT (Friday 11/21) is the official Christmas Tree Lighting at 6pm at 97 N. Austin Street. Come walk around and enjoy the start of something we hope will continue to grow. 🥳 Blessings to all!
Websites To Check:
https://www.visitrockportfulton.com/christmas-in-rockport/
https://rockporteventscalendar.com/rockportchristmas/
Cheers!!!!! — at Rockport Cultural Arts District - RCAD.
