Sara Dessureau, Colette Ellsworth and Teddy Hulse [Photo: Kaila Jones]

The streets of Sebastian took on the feeling of Christmases past during the 32nd annual Light Up Night hosted by the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, as local businesses spilled out into the streets with holiday cheer.

The annual community-wide open house is a festive night of food and fun, designed to encourage the support of local businesses. This year, most businesses set up their holiday cheer outside, with masked and gloved helpers offering goodies and treats.

Families made the rounds to more than 20 locations, partaking of special sales, discounts, door prizes, activities and holiday-themed food, and refreshments. Embracing the spirit of the evening, patrons adorned in shades of red and green and draped with twinkling lights snacked their way from shop to shop, nibbling on cookies, hot cocoa, eggnog bars, chili and even a specially brewed winter ale.

Santa was busy preparing for his big night out in a few weeks, but generously loaned his sleigh to Rudolph and Teddy so folks could grab a selfie in the jolly old fellow’s sleigh. Had Santa been on hand to hear the wishes of boys and girls, young and old, the No. 1 item would surely be for a COVID-free 2021.

As with everything else in this tumultuous year, Light Up Night was very different, said Cheryl Thibault, the chamber’s operations director. “We’re still trying to support our local businesses,” she said.

If the bustling sidewalks were any indication, people were anxious to get out of the house. As music rang throughout the cool, evening air, things were definitely “beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.”