SPRINGFIELD, MO ~ Springfield, MO - The holiday season is just around the corner and the city of Springfield is gearing up for its annual Mayor's Tree Lighting Holiday Show. This highly anticipated event, hosted by Mayor Jeff Schrag and his wife Mary, will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 in Park Central Square.

The City of Springfield, Downtown Community Improvement District, and KY3 are proud to present this festive evening of entertainment and dazzling lights to officially kick off the holiday season. Gold Sponsor Great Southern Bank and supporters CMT Infrastructure Professionals, Hotel Vandivort, and Olsson have also joined in as sponsors for the event. The Hatch Foundation has made it possible for a 48-foot tree to be purchased for the event in 2023.

The festivities will begin with a performance by VOCE Choir followed by Mayor Schrag's annual reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Free books will be provided by the Mayor's Commission on Children and the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation.

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Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their grand entrance on the SGF Holiday Express shortly after 6 p.m. Families can visit them in their house at the base of the Mayor's Tree from 6:30-8:30 p.m. while enjoying live performances by local musicians and performers.

At approximately 8 p.m., Mayor Schrag will lead a countdown to light up Park Central Square with thousands of sparkling lights on the tree. Afterward, families can enjoy a variety of free holiday activities including horse-and-carriage rides courtesy of Downtown CID, cookies, hot cocoa, jingle bells while supplies last, Santa's Mailbox where he will write back to children who send him letters, ice skating at Brightspeed Ice Park from 6-8:45 p.m., and shopping at Route 66 Merry Market on Park Central West.

A special drone show will follow the tree lighting, adding to the magical atmosphere of the event. The Mayor's Tree Lighting Holiday Show is just one of many events happening during the Festival of Lights, a season-long celebration in downtown Springfield. For a full schedule of events, visit springfieldmo.org.

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The evening will also feature performances by VOCE Choir, Springfield Symphony Brass Ensemble, Studio Vie Dancers, Skyler Weimer, Uke 66, Springfield Ballet, Springfield Little Theatre cast of "Frozen," Grupo Musical Canela, Allie Hutsell and Grace McKenna, Haygoods, Anne and Andy Walls, Jessie Cowen, Michael and Tara Spyres, and Shaun Munday. The tree will be lit as Jessie Cowen performs with the Studio Vie Dancers.

For those who are unable to attend in person, the Mayor's Tree Lighting Holiday Show will be broadcast live on MeTV (channel 33.3) starting at 7 p.m. It will also be rebroadcast on KY3 in December.

Volunteers are needed for various tasks during the event such as handing out jingle bells and candy canes, distributing Christmas cookies and hot cocoa during story time, and organizing lines for Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as horse-drawn carriage rides and the SGF Holiday Express. Those interested in volunteering can register on GivePulse.

For more information about the event including parking details, visit sgffestivaloflights.com. Don't miss out on this magical evening filled with holiday cheer for all ages!

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