Chilhowee Park is decked out in lights in anticipation of the annual Christmas at Chilhowee celebration this Friday, Dec. 8, from 6-9 p.m.

The Vine Middle Magnet School Chorus kicks off the festivities with Christmas-themed music, leading up to the lighting of the Christmas tree at the park’s historic bandstand, built for the 1910 Appalachian Exposition. 

Sixth District City Council member and former Mayor Daniel Brown will welcome guests before handing over hosting duties to Santa Claus, at which point parents are invited to take photos of their children with old Saint Nick.

The night will be full of entertainment options.

Big kids (and adults) can tour the park via hayride, and tiny tots can ride a train. Enjoy hot cocoa and roasted marshmallows. Join the Austin-East Magnet High School’s Culinary Arts Department to decorate cookies to eat (or keep) and help decorate gingerbread houses.

Admission is free. All events take place outdoors, so dress for the wintery weather. Chilhowee Park is open for nightly self-guided tours through Jan. 1, 2018.

Sponsors are the City of Knoxville, Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center, WVLT Channel 8, the Knoxville News Sentinel, 93.1 WNOX, The Muse Knoxville, Sam’s Club, Bojangles’, and the Knoxville Ice Bears.

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