Downtown Fayetteville is preparing to welcome one of its most festive community traditions as “Light Up the City” returns this December, inviting residents and visitors to take an evening walking tour through the Cool Spring Downtown District. The annual event encourages local businesses to decorate their storefronts with holiday lights, themed displays, and imaginative décor, transforming the district into a glowing holiday corridor.
Hosted by the Cool Spring Downtown District, the initiative began as a creative way to connect families with the businesses that line Hay Street, Person Street, and the surrounding blocks. What started as a simple decorating effort has grown into a full holiday experience, with shops, restaurants and small boutiques using their windows as canvases for seasonal storytelling. Many businesses spend weeks planning their displays, treating the event as both a celebration and a chance to highlight the character of downtown.
The walking tour format is intentional. Instead of driving past homes or viewing lights from a distance, “Light Up the City” encourages people to slow down, explore on foot, and rediscover the district at an unhurried pace. Streets remain open, but the focus is on strolling, grabbing cocoa from a café, browsing local shelves for holiday gifts, or pausing to take photos in front of the most creative displays.
This year’s decorations are expected to range from traditional winter scenes to bold, modern interpretations. Some shops typically lean into classic pine-and-lights themes, while others incorporate unexpected color palettes, animated displays or playful elements designed to surprise passersby. Over the past few years, families have made the walk a seasonal tradition, returning annually to see how the storefronts change and which businesses push the boundaries of creativity.
“Light Up the City” not only adds holiday charm to the district but also provides a boost to local commerce during a critical shopping season. Small businesses often rely on increased December foot traffic, and the walking trail steers residents directly past shops they may not normally notice. Many storeowners extend their hours, offer warm drinks, or provide small discounts to encourage browsing. Restaurants and bakeries often see an uptick in evening diners who pair the holiday stroll with dinner or dessert.
For Fayetteville residents, the event carries a sense of local pride. It positions the downtown area as a place where tradition and creativity intersect and where businesses and residents take part in building a shared holiday atmosphere. The district’s walkable sidewalks, historic buildings and open gathering spaces serve as a natural backdrop for a winter light trail. A community voting part also adds an element of friendly competition. Walkers can select their favorite storefront, and the business with the most votes receives a community choice recognition in the new year. While the award is lighthearted, the excitement around the displays often motivates businesses to elevate their designs each season.
Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes, as the tour stretches across multiple blocks. Parking is available throughout downtown, though many families choose to make an evening of the event by arriving early for dinner or staying late for treats. As crowds wander through the lights, the atmosphere becomes almost nostalgic: holiday music drifting from shop doors, children pointing out animated window scenes and couples pausing for photos beside decorated trees.
“A stroll through downtown during 'Light Up the City' feels like watching Fayetteville shine from the inside out one storefront at a time,” – Jamie Bishop
For a city rooted in community, creativity, and seasonal tradition, “Light Up the City” remains one of Fayetteville’s most cherished ways to welcome winter.