This year, we had the chance to experience the Barberton Christmas Walk, and we were so excited to bring along a special guest—Chanda’s niece Chloe, who was visiting from Denver. It had been years since we last attended this event, and we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. Downtown Barberton was alive with holiday cheer, and the night kicked off with the lighting of Lake Anna, a beautiful moment that set the tone for the rest of the evening. We even managed to catch the countdown and record it, which was a treat considering how quickly it all happened!
Before the lighting, we stopped at Ignite Brewing for a quick drink to warm up. It was chilly—about 25 degrees—so we were bundled up in hats, scarves, and long coats. As we wandered the streets, we admired the festive lights, charmingly decorated homes, and even caught glimpses of adorable trolleys making their rounds. Lake Anna looked magical, surrounded by glowing lights and bustling with families enjoying the atmosphere. It was the perfect backdrop for a holiday evening out.
We also made a stop at Al’s Meat Market, a Barberton institution that’s as famous as it is elusive with its limited hours. Luckily, we were able to enjoy some delicious food there and even picked up a little merchandise. Later, we ventured into a few antique shops and admired unique finds, including some uranium glass collectibles that took us down memory lane. While we didn’t explore every shop, the ones we visited had a lot to offer.
Though we skipped the Christmas Crawl—a separate bar-hopping event happening that evening—it still added to the festive buzz downtown. Between the cold weather, the lively crowd, and the glowing lights of the Christmas Walk, the night had everything we could have wanted. It was a cozy and fun-filled holiday evening, and after years of missing this event, we were glad to make it back and enjoy the festive spirit in Barberton once again.
ignite brewery: https://www.ignite.beer
al’s meat market: https://alsmeatsandeats.com
