Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival to feature performances and treats on Dec. 6

The 22nd annual Tumwater Christmas Tree Lighting Festival is taking place on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The festivities run from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Tumwater City Hall and Tumwater Headquarters Fire Station. 

Attendees can expect school choir and band performances, "Reindeer Games," holiday crafts, treats, pictures with Santa in his workshop and a ceremonial tree lighting. 

At a slide show presented at the Dec. 2 meeting of the Tumwater City Council, the community was encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable food or cash for Thurston County Food Bank. 

There will be parking available in the adjacent Attorney General's Office parking lot, 7141 Cleanwater Drive SW.

No parking is available at the fire station, and only Americans with Disabilities Act parking is allowed at City Hall. Contact 360-754-4160 for more information on parking. 

The following is the event schedule:

1:15 p.m. Tenino Jazz Band, Directed by Andrew Bowerly  

2 p.m. Black Lake Elementary, Directed by Suzanne Grimm 

3 p.m. Tumwater Hill Marimba Band & Choir, Directed by Heather Stoker 

4 p.m. Tumwater High School Noteables, Directed by Rachel Landowski 

5 p.m. Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School 5th graders, Directed by Marie Williams 

5:30 p.m. Tree lighting 

Santa Stop 

Another Tumwater Christmas tradition is a series of Santa Stops, where kids can visit with Santa, take holiday photos and take home a goodie bag. 

Donations for Thurston County Food Bank will also be accepted at the stops. 

The first stop for this year is at Tumwater Valley Golf Course on Dec. 3, followed by one at the Parks & Recreation Office on Dec. 10 and the Tumwater Fire Department on Dec. 17. 

“Please note: Santa will (not) be making stops in neighborhoods. If you want to visit with Santa or make donations, please meet him at one of the Santa Stops,” said the city on its website.