Head to Market Square and Krutch Park in downtown Knoxville this Friday, Nov. 27, for the Regal Celebration of Lights, which kicks off five weeks of Christmas in the City festivities.

There’s something for everyone from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27:

• A new 42-foot-tall Christmas tree in the Krutch Park Extension, complete with multi-colored energy-efficient LED lights that can be synchronized in different patterns. The tree is a focal point of a downtown light display which boasts more than 100,000 lights!

• The Holidays on Ice skating rink on Market Square – open-air and tent-less for the first time in a decade.

• Live music through the WDVX Holiday Ho Ho Hoedown, carolers, train rides, pictures with Santa, face painting, marshmallow roasting and more.

Friday’s free Regal Celebration of Lights is the official launch of Christmas in the City, starting with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. 

Local businesses will offer crafts with children, and families can stop by Home Depot’s Little Elves Workshop to make a toy or a card to be sent to U.S. soldiers with American Red Cross “Cards for Heroes.” Enjoy a performance by the University Assisted Community School at Pond Gap.

Regal Celebration of Lights sponsors include Regal Entertainment Group, Pilot Flying J, WDVX, WATE Channel 6, WNOX 93.1, Knoxville News Sentinel, Home Depot, The Salvation Army, Krispy Kreme and Cheerwine.

Also kicking off on Friday, Nov. 27, is Holidays on Ice, presented by Home Federal Bank. Enjoy skating under Christmas lights and winter stars over 52 days, through Jan. 18. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children 12 years and younger, and that includes skate rental and unlimited time on the ice.

For more information about Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice, call 865-215-4423 or visit www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com. Waivers are available online if skaters prefer to print and fill them out before arriving.

Holidays on Ice sponsors include Home Federal Bank, Regal Entertainment Group, the Central Business Improvement District, WBIR Channel 10, B97.5, Knoxville News Sentinel and Go Knoxville.

Also starting Nov. 27 is the annual light show in Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center, with a total of 78 lighted trees, plus 20 lighted trees floating on the park’s lake. Motorists touring the park through Jan. 1 can drive through the lighted tunnel.

To help you keep up with the dozens of Christmas in the City concerts, movies, bike rides, community events and other happenings, download the City of Knoxville’s Special Events app, available for free for all smartphone and mobile devices. Search for “Knoxville Events.”

All Christmas in the City events and updates are also listed on the City of Knoxville’s website: www.knoxvilletn.gov/christmas.