– Photos by Kristen Hale

The City’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took  place Thursday, December 6 on the City Hall Concourse.  The event  also included a ceremonial lighting of a Hanukkah Menorah, which will remain on the concourse throughout the season.

The tree lighting ceremony featured musical entertainment by the Somerville High School Band; the SHS Chorus and the Somerville Community Chorus; and El Sistema Somerville, the City’s new youth orchestra based on the international model. Special guest Santa Claus was escorted by the Somerville Fire Department for the ceremony and was available for photos following the tree lighting. All children attending the ceremony received a gift from Santa.

The next event to take place will be the  Illuminations Trolley Tour. This is scheduled for Saturday, December 15, with tours departing from the City Hall Concourse beginning at 4:30pm. The 45-minute tours will showcase holiday light displays in our own Somerville. 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 are available at the Blue Cloud Gallery, 713 Broadway. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and seniors. For more information visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org.

The third annual Illuminations Bike Tour will also be held on December 15, a joint production of the Somerville Bicycle Committee and Somerville Arts Council.

The guided group ride will be shorter this year so folks can spend more time looking at the lights and stay warmer. For those who would like to tour the longer route from last year, maps will be available. Those touring the longer route may continue after the short guided tour concludes, may meet with others at the suggested times below or tour the route on your own schedule with friends.

Illuminations by Bike
December 15, 2012

Guided Short Route
Meet Location: Somerville High School Main Entrance
Meet Time: 5:50 p.m.
Departure: 6 p.m.
Duration: 45 minutes, or less
Required: warm clothes & bike lights
Recommended: holiday lights, costumes & good cheer
Suggested: Donate $5 to the Somerville Arts Council
Afterwards: Hot drinks & treats at City Hall

Unguided Long Route
Maps: available at city hall, donation recommended.
Suggested Meet Times: 7:15 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.