The 2025 Lights in Greenawalds Escape into Christmas Kickoff opened with an energetic performance by Ant Jams, who entertained the crowd with classic rock favorites, holiday songs and nostalgic hits from past decades.

Their performance helped set a festive tone as families gathered for the annual celebration.

Once the music wrapped, emcee Mike Mittman welcomed the audience and launched into a round of Christmas trivia, handing out Lights in Greenawalds T-shirts to winners.

Guests correctly guessed the event’s ninth year and identified “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” as one of the featured lyric questions.

Kristy Pollock, chief operating officer, The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties, took the microphone to announce the organization’s continued partnership with the event.

She shared that three sensory-friendly evenings would again be offered on Thursdays in December, ensuring an inclusive experience for all visitors.

Event founder Mike Yellak then addressed the crowd, speaking candidly about injuries he suffered earlier in the year and his uncertainty about whether the display could happen.

He thanked the volunteer team who rallied around him to make the season possible and gave special recognition to Brian Pollock, whom he named the MVP for his constant support and steady problem-solving throughout the setup.

A lively and comedic character “showdown” followed, as Yellak and Mittman introduced their competing teams of holiday icons.

Mittman brought out Elf, Frosty the Snowman and finally Santa Claus, while Yellak countered with the Abominable Snowman, the Grinch and a surprise guest appearance by Elsa, who performed a portion of “Let It Go.”

The crowd voted, and Yellak’s team ultimately won the friendly competition.

At last, the moment everyone awaited arrived.

With the audience counting down together, the switch was flipped and the park lit up in its full holiday brilliance, marking the official start of the 2025 season.

Yellak closed the ceremony by announcing the display will operate Thursday through Sunday this year, with sensory-friendly nights on Thursdays in December.

He emphasized admission remains free and characters will appear nightly, adding that hot chocolate, popcorn, candy, magnets, tote bags and key chains and photo opportunities with Santa will be available throughout the season.

Ant Jams returned to the stage to continue the celebration as guests lined up for photos and refreshments, officially ushering in another year of Lights in Greenawalds.

The concession will be open 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Lights in Greenawalds will run weeknights 5-10 p.m. and weekends 5–11 p.m. until Dec. 21.