The annual Christmas at Chilhowee event will brighten Knoxville’s historic park earlier than usual this year in order to host a special evergreen visitor.

Christmas at Chilhowee will be held Friday, Nov. 22, 6-9 p.m., giving attendees an opportunity to see the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 60-foot blue spruce touring the nation before it decorates the lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero will kick off a program at 6 p.m. at the park’s historic bandstand that includes a performance by the Austin-East High School Choir and the lighting of the park’s tree, which will remain in the bandstand throughout the season.
 
Santa will meet with guests until the event ends at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile in the park, guests of all ages are invited to write Christmas cards to members of the U.S. military serving overseas, enjoy activities provided by First Tee, Golden Gloves Arena and Home Depot, roast marshmallows, eat doughnuts, drink hot cocoa, get their faces painted and take rides on the children’s train.

The tradition of placing a live Christmas tree on the Capitol lawn began in 1964; in 1970, the U.S. Forest Service began choosing a different national forest to provide the “People’s Tree” for display outside the Capitol. This year’s tree was harvested from New Mexico’s Carson National Forest.

Admission is free, and Christmas at Chilhowee happens rain or shine.

After Christmas at Chilhowee, the park will be open nightly for self-guided walking and driving tours except for Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1).