Holiday lights will be turned on in downtown Fredericksburg Friday evening with the City of Fredericksburg’s annual tree lighting ceremony at Marktplatz, featuring the 30-foot community Christmas tree and German Christmas Pyramid.
The festivities are sponsored by the 2014 Fredericksburg Christmas Committee.
Ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by the Ambleside Children’s Choir. The official lighting will take place at 7 p.m.
Featured items on Marktplatz include a privately donated nativity, 50-foot ‘Merry Christmas’ skylines and a ‘Gingerbread Village’ designed by local artist Margaret Hannum.
The tree will be decorated with ornaments designed by Hill Country artisans.
Entertainment for the evening will include Al Holzscheiter’s Brass Ensemble, Bethany Lutheran Church Carolers and dance to the music of The Power Section.
Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
All children under 12 who attend the ceremony will be entered in a free drawing, where the winner will help Mayor Linda Langerhans flip the switch to turn on the tree lights for the first time this season.
Children of all ages can have pictures taken with Santa at no charge.