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The Uptown Holiday Lighting, a beloved tradition for many Houston residents, was unexpectedly canceled in 2023, leaving attendees and participants disappointed and curious about the reasons behind the decision.
The event, which typically takes place on Thanksgiving night along Post Oak Boulevard, features a festive atmosphere with fireworks, music, a balcony decorating contest, and the ceremonial lighting of holiday lights by Santa Claus. The cancellation announcement, posted on Uptown Houston’s Facebook page, came as a surprise to many, especially considering that it would have marked the 35th annual celebration.
Longtime participants like Carolyn and Bill Simmons, who had reserved the same room at the Hilton for 25 years to partake in the balcony decorating contest, felt a sense of loss and disappointment on Thanksgiving night when they found their balcony bare.
Despite inquiries for clarification, Uptown Houston provided limited explanation, stating that the event would not take place and that the focus would shift to promoting the Uptown area as a holiday destination throughout the season.
Subsequent investigation revealed that plans for the event were in progress until around September, after which discussions shifted, indicating a financial decision behind the cancellation. Bob Ethington, the director of research and development at Uptown Houston, attributed the decision to financial constraints, citing a decrease in tax revenue from commercial properties in the area, particularly due to challenges faced by the office space sector during the pandemic.
While Uptown Houston acknowledged the decrease in crowd size at the event, they emphasized that it was not a determining factor in the decision to cancel.
Ethington expressed openness to potential sponsorships to revive the event in the future, as it typically incurred costs between $200,000 to $250,000 annually.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the cancellation, Uptown Houston aims to maintain a positive focus on other activities and attractions in the area during the holiday season.