2026 - Celebration of Lights Participant Registration

Be part of Helena’s biggest holiday party on the historic downtown Walking Mall, November 27th, from 5pm to 8pm! The Celebration of Lights typically features magical light and holiday displays, sponsored by local businesses and groups, food, drink, and a chance to meet Santa Claus at Performance Square. The event culimnates with the lighting of the Firetower at 6pm.

Please use the form below to register your participation in the Celebration of Lights.

Registration is free, but there are rules (provided below) to ensure our celebration is safe and neighborly. Once you’ve registered, organizers will contact you with details on your where exhibit will be located and times for set-up and take-down.

Vendor Registration

Vendor Rules

  • Due to limited power of the Walking Mall, only one exhibit / display can be assigned to each lamppost power outlet.

  • Cooking and heating implements, such as for hot cocoa, cannot be plugged into the Mall’s power outlets or breakers will blow. As such, all beverages or hot food must be made prior to the event.

  • Generators can be used, but organizers encourage each exhibit to have near silent generators due to complaints by businesses.

  • Per the City Fire Marshal’s request, the following must be followed:

    Absolutely no open fires or heated propane tanks allowed. This includes heat lamps.

    People cannot be standing on or climbing on any display / exhibit unless the display / exhibit is stationary and not attached to a vehicle.

    All vehicles must be turned off and not idle.

    All vehicles must be removed from the Walking Mall the same day as the event and cannot be left overnight.

    Vehicles must be vertical (i.e., north-south) on the Walking Mall, not horizontal (i.e., east-west) to ensure a 14 foot fire lane, accessible at all times, through the center of the Walking Mall.

  • All participants must attend a pre-event meeting with event organizers and City Officials (fire, transportation, parks, and police).

  • Event participants are strongly encouraged to attend a post-event meeting to discuss what can be made better for next year.