Worcester Cancels Key Holiday Events Due To Coronavirus

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester is canceling two key holiday events in 2020 due to rising cases of coronavirus.

The skating rink in the oval behind City Hall won't be set up this year, and the city's annual Festival of Lights Christmas celebration will be canceled, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. announced on Thursday.

The two events typically draw thousands to the downtown area during the holiday season. The rink typically stays open through February, and the holiday festival coincides with art exhibits and holiday markets. The city will still light a holiday tree this year, however.

The two events are the latest in 2020 to be paused due to the pandemic. The annual St. Patrick's Day parade in March was the first major cancellation, followed by stART on the Street.

On Thursday, Worcester reported 236 new coronavirus cases over the past week — the highest weekly number since the spring. Worcester also remains on the list of high-risk communities in Massachusetts for virus spread.