Hundreds gathered Friday evening in downtown Akron for the city’s annual Welcome Santa Parade — followed by the grand reopening of Lock 3.  

The parade included marching bands, costumed characters and local first responders along Main Street. Lock 3’s event included a ribbon cutting, ice carving demonstration and a drone show. Santa and the Grinch also made spirited appearances as Akronites braved frigid temperatures.

Akron parade
A multi-generational crowd lines Main Street for the Welcome Santa Parade on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Akron. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)
Akron's Welcome Santa Parade
METRO’s Santa Bus heads down Main Street during downtown Akron’s Welcome Santa Parade on Nov. 29, 2024. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)
Akron selfie
Dan Sayre (right), takes a selfie with his wife, Erin Montgomery, and son, Zeno Sayre, before the Welcome Santa Parade in downtown Akron on Nov. 29, 2024. This marked their fourth attending the annual parade. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)
Kiki Lott (right) warms herself by a fire with family members Janessa Lott (middle) and Anthony Lott on Nov. 29, 2024. They attended Lock 3’s grand reopening event, while expressing excitement for the facility’s abilities to host concerts in the future. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)
Lock 3 rénovation
A man selling glow sticks as Friday night temperatures dipped before freezing walks by signage near a renovated Lock 3 on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)
Akron Christmas parade
Sasha Parson (left) and Rica Keith are delighted by the Lock 3 grand reopening drone show above them on November 29, 2024, in downtown Akron. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)
Thousands gather in front of the Maynard Performance Pavillion for Lock 3’s grand reopening ceremony on Nov. 29, 2024. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)