After a 2020 holiday season with few in person events due to the Covid pandemic, the city of Youngstown is preparing to kick off a Christmas season with a little more cheer this year. 

Beginning Friday afternoon, an array of holiday-themed events will take place all around the city, starting with Flea on Phelps, which is billed as a "special edition" of the flea market event. That will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the pedestrian walkway on Phelps Street. 

After Friday, the market will move to 365 E. Boardman St. for Saturday and Sunday, when the market will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

In addition to the flea market, the official lighting of the Youngstown Christmas Tree will take place on Federal at 6:15 p.m. That will be hosted by WFMJ Community Relations director Madonna Chism Pinkard and Mayor Tito Brown and will feature the family who donated the tree, a blue spruce from Schenley Avenue on the city's west side. 

Still absent for 2021 will be the traditional Christmas parade, which remains canceled for this year due to the pandemic. 

Other festive events and exhibits around Youngstown that are helping to make the season bright include the Memories of Christmas Past display at the Arms Family Museum, which runs through December 31. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and college students with ID and $8 for children ages 3-10. Admission is free for toddlers, active duty military and members of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. 

At Mill Creek Park, beginning Saturday December 4 and running through January 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. is the Winter Celebration of Trees at Fellows Riverside Gardens. 60 trees will be lit up with different themes celebrating the season. This event is free. For a sneak preview , click here.