Giveaway has ended.

It’s a lot of festiveness to fit into one parking lot, but the Wells Fargo Center’s giant footprint does just fine housing a holiday market, dining, 193 larger-than-life light sculptures and displays powered by more than a half-million light bulbs, and of course Gritty Claus. New for this year, “Winter on Broad Street: A Holiday Light Spectacular,” is making spirits bright now through January 3.

As holiday music plays, wander through giant light installations, including a 25-foot reindeer, giant gift boxes and ornaments, a sleigh you can sit in, snowflakes, and a glowing enchanted forest. As if this sparkling wonderland didn’t provide enough one-of-a-kind photo ops, you can also reserve a slot (for $15) to take a photo with Gritty dressed as Santa Claus, or “Gritty Claus.” And because it’s 2020, Gritty Claus is wearing a face shield.

Courtesy of Comcast Spectacor

In addition to the sights and sounds of Winter on Broad Street, there are fun kids’ activities like ornament decorating, a Letters to Santa station and mailbox, and an area called Reindeer Games with giant lawn versions of Jenga, Connect Four, and tic tac toe.

The Mistletoe Marketplace includes local vendors (including our favorite Nothing Bundt Cakes!), plus a booth with exclusive Winter on Broad Gritty merchandise. Is a “Season’s Grittings” t-shirt on your wish list? Look no further!

Photograph by Laura Swartz

If you get hungry, you can grab some holiday-themed treats and other concessions at Broad Street Lodge. Grownups can also hit up the Holiday Spirits stand, which will offer spiked ciders and cocoas, mulled wines, and festively-inspired craft cocktails. Because of recent city ordinances, outdoor dining tables are limited to four people from the same household.

Winter on Broad Street is open 5—10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 5—11 pm on Friday and Saturday. In accordance with city guidelines, the number of guests attending is capped through timed tickets and entry. Also, everyone is required to wear a mask at all times (except while seated in designated food and beverage areas). Despite this, there were lines for certain experiences as well as the “Broad Street Lodge” concessions, as that line also doubled as the bathroom line (porta-potties are also available across the lot). We went on opening night—the Friday after Thanksgiving, so we recommend attending on a Monday through Thursday night if crowd size is a concern.

Photograph by Laura Swartz

Tickets are extremely limited and will run $32.50 for adults and $27.50 for children 13 and under. On “Special Santa’s Savings Days” (December 1—3 and 7—10), tickets start at $20 for adults and $15 for children under 13. Admission is free for children five and under. Parking is free in the Wells Fargo Center parking lots. If you want to add on a Gritty Claus photo, that will run an extra $15 ticket in advance. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go.

Giveaway: Enter here to win a family four-pack of tickets to Winter on Broad! Because of the requirement for timed advance reservations, the giveaway tickets must be used on December 21 at 6 pm.

Lead photograph by Laura Swartz.