Be prepared! Click here for views from the 2015 Regal Celebration of Lights event.

The City of Knoxville will quite literally turn on the magic of the holiday season this Friday, Nov. 25, at the Regal Celebration of Lights in Krutch Park Extension and Market Square. The event is free to the public and has become the signature opener for Christmas in the City, a six-week calendar bursting at the seams with community-wide holiday events.

The festivities officially begin at 6 p.m. with Mayor Madeline Rogero lighting Knoxville’s Christmas tree. (Holiday tunes performed by the Blue Line Blues band will precede the tree lighting beginning at 5:30 p.m.).  

“Last year, we debuted a big new 42-foot-tall tree with multi-colored energy-efficient LED synchronized lights, so we’re looking forward to the Mayor flipping the switch,” said Judith Foltz, City Special Events Director. “It’s an amazing visual.”

Following the lighting of the tree, the Regal Celebration of Lights will immerse visitors in a variety of holiday activities, lasting until 9 p.m. Shaking things up this year is the new life-sized AT&T Snow Globe that families can stand inside for photos. (Please be sure to bring your own camera). 

WDVX Holiday Ho Ho Ho Down will be held at the Bill Lyons Pavilion on Market Square; Home Depot’s Little Elves Workshop will welcome anyone to join Santa’s little helpers; and participants can make cards to be sent to U.S. soldiers at the American Red Cross Cards for Heroes station.

Other activities include carolers, train rides, pictures with Santa, face painting, and more, making the Regal Celebration of Lights an event perfect for everyone – whether it’s making memories with the family, sharing a romantic evening with that special someone, or simply enjoying a community-wide celebration.
 
The Regal Celebration of Lights is made possible by its sponsors: Regal Entertainment Group, Pilot Flying J, AT&T, WDVX, WATE Channel 6, WNOX 93.1, Knoxville News Sentinel, Home Depot, The Salvation Army, and Krispy Kreme.

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 also will be listed on the City of Knoxville’s website: www.knoxvilletn.gov/christmas.