Annual holiday celebrations kick off Thursday, Dec. 1,  with Tree Lighting
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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the City’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 1st on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Highlander Café (atrium entrance).  Additionally, the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour is scheduled for Saturday, December 17  and, for the first time, the Tour will include trolleys visiting neighborhoods in West Somerville.  Both events will include musical entertainment and light refreshments.

The tree lighting ceremony will feature musical entertainment by:  the Somerville High School Band; the SHS Chorus; the Somerville Community Chorus; and local opera singer Lara Kahn.  Special guest, Santa Claus, will be escorted by the Somerville Fire Department for the ceremony, and will be available for photos following the tree lighting.  All children attending the ceremony will also receive a gift from Santa.
The annual Illuminations Trolley Tour of East and Central Somerville is scheduled for Saturday, December 17th, with 27 tours departing from the City Hall Concourse beginning at 4:30pm.  The 45-minute tours visit Somerville neighborhoods with holiday lights displays.  Tours leave from (and return to) Somerville City Hall where coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies are served. Entertainment at City Hall includes choral music, courtesy of the Somerville Community Chorus and craft activities for children.
Trolley Tour tickets will be available at the Blue Cloud Gallery, 713 Broadway, beginning Wednesday, December 1st.  Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and seniors.  For more information visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org.

For more information on other holiday events, please contact Nancy Aylward at 617-625-6600 ext 2100.