Akron’s Lock 3 Reopens in Time for the Holidays

For those seeking excitement during the post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas lull, head to Akron’s Lock 3 as it hosts a grand reopening celebration on Nov. 29. After 18 months of renovation, this popular event and festival space along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail has been transformed into a year-round destination. 

The $17 million redevelopment project of the public space that is nestled in the middle of downtown along the path of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail started in June 2023 with funding help from the city of Akron, as well as individual donors and local organizations.

The newly redesigned Lock 3 boasts shaded seating for the summer months, newly landscaped gardens (featuring over 35,000 native plants and 100 trees) and the new Maynard Performance Pavilion, which can seat up to 3,500 people across three different performance areas. These additions have transformed Lock 3 from a seasonal venue into a year-round hub for events, festivals and concerts. 

“We are ushering in a new era for downtown Akron with the transformation of Lock 3,” Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a Nov. 7 press release. “This park represents the collaborative work and passion of so many Akron residents, organizations and donors to create a true destination spot right in the heart of our downtown corridor.”

To celebrate its grand reopening, Lock 3 is hosting a family-friendly community event Nov. 29 following the city’s Welcome Santa Parade, which begins at 6 p.m. Follow the parade as it marches along Main Street and though downtown Akron before ending near Lock 3. Once the parade is over, the evening of festivities continues with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Lock 3, followed by a drone show at 7 p.m. The celebration continues until 11 p.m. and guests can enjoy ice-carving demonstrations, photo ops with Santa and The Grinch, ice skating and more.

The fun of the Thanksgiving weekend will continue on through the holiday season too. During select hours on Wednesdays through Sundays, visitors can rent ice skates and ice bumper cars for some excitement on the rink or reserve a cozy igloo to lounge in. Be sure to check out some of the nostalgic holiday displays from Akron’s iconic department stores, and don’t forget to pay a visit to Archie the Talking Snowman too. 

For more information on the grand reopening  of Lock 3, or to learn more about its wintertime offerings, visit downtownakron.com.

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