November 24, 2014 - On Friday night, the 38-foot-tall tree in the Krutch Park Extension will be lit. Then more than 100,000 lights throughout Krutch Park will be flipped on. And then, get ready for caroling, train rides, marshmallow roasting, ice skating and general holiday frolicking.

Christmas in the City festivities kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, on Market Square and at Krutch Park with the Regal Celebration of Lights.

Santa will join Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero for the tree-lighting at 6:15 p.m. The free evening, through 9 p.m., also includes music from the Old City Buskers, the WDVX Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown featuring Mae Beth Harris and Emi Sunshine, carolers, train rides, face painting and more.

On Market Street, local businesses will offer free crafts for children. Stop by Home Depot's Santa's Elves Workshop as well as The Muse Knoxville's tent for a special activity. Also stop by the American Red Cross tent to make a card for a soldier.

Regal Celebration of Lights sponsors include Regal Entertainment, Pilot Flying J, WDVX, Home Depot, WATE Channel 6, 93.1 WNOX, Krispy Kreme, the Knoxville News Sentinel, Cheerwine, The Muse Knoxville, the Crowne Plaza and All Occasions Party Rentals.

There are two other Christmas in the City events that will kick off on Friday, Nov. 28, as well:

WDVX Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown at Market Square
6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28
Market Square

This year's Holiday Ho-Ho Hoedown features East Tennessee's own national singing sensation, 10-year old Emi Sunshine & the Rain, along with Knoxville rising star Mae Beth Harris. The hoedown also showcases the national champion Knoxville clogging team from the Step Above Dance School. Award-winning WDVX personality Freddy Smith and his Christmas Chicken will emcee and pose for pictures.

The City of Knoxville's Holidays on Ice, presented by Home Federal Bank
Friday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015
Market Square

Enjoy skating under Christmas lights and under tent cover - rain or shine! This unique outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of downtown Knoxville draws more than 16,000 skaters each year.

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children 12 years and younger, and admission includes skate rental.

Skate with Peppermint Panda, the official mascot for the City of Knoxville's Holidays on Ice!

For more information about Knoxville's Holidays on Ice, call 865-215-4423 or visit http://www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com.

Sponsors include Home Federal Bank, the Central Business Improvement District, Pilot Flying J, Regal Entertainment, WBIR-TV Channel 10, B 97.5 and the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Street Closures

Anticipate some downtown street closures accompanying Friday's festivities. Union Avenue will be closed between Walnut and Gay streets from 2-10 p.m. Friday, with temporary no-parking zones starting at 8 a.m. Friday.

Market Street between Clinch and Union avenues also will be closed from 2-10 p.m. Friday, with temporary no-parking zones starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday due to tents being set up.

From 5:50-9:15 p.m. Friday, Market Street between Church and Clinch will be closed, as will Gay Street between Summit Hill and Church, and Clinch Avenue between Walnut and State streets. Watch for no-parking zones starting Friday on these streets as well.

Other Christmas Events

For a full lineup of Christmas in the City events, download a new app that's available on most smartphones and other mobile devices now. (Apple product apps will be available soon.)

People can also use the app to vote for their favorite Window Wonderland display. Participating merchants and restaurants will be turning their storefront windows into a festive holiday display, coinciding with "The Twelve Days of Christmas" or their own creative decor. Votes can also be cast on the City's Office of Special Events Facebook page - www.facebook.com/cityofknoxvillespecialevents.