Holiday Tree Lighting in E Street Plaza

The annual downtown Davis tree lighting and holiday opening will take place on Thursday, December 1 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The community is invited to take part in one of Davis' oldest community traditions which includes the children's parade, the holiday tree illumination in the E Street Plaza, Santa and Mrs. Claus greeting their guests, performances by local musical groups, horse-drawn carriage rides, and free showings of "The Grinch" at the historic Varsity Theatre.

The Children's Parade will once again be hosted by the Davis Food Co-op. Parade participants begin lining up at 5:30 p.m. at the Co-op at 620 G Street and the parade steps off at 6:00 p.m. The parade will end at the E Street Plaza in downtown Davis. Participant parking is available in the public parking structure at 4th and G streets.

From 6:00 to 6:20 p.m. the main stage will feature a children's choir, the Davis Art Center Mini-Musical Singers, directed by Mindy Manville and conducted by Breanne Stambusky.

The holiday tree will be illuminated at 6:30 p.m. in E Street Plaza by Mayor Joe Krovoza. The Davis High School Madrigal and Jazz Choirs will perform after the tree lighting. The Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh will provide musical entertainment during the parade and at the E Street Plaza following the Madrigals. The "No Bones About It" Jazz Ensemble will perform holiday jazz from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. on the main stage in the E Street parking lot. The main stage is sponsored by Watermelon Music and the city of Davis.

Beginning at 6:40 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will be located in the E Street Plaza where they will receive guests until 8:15 p.m. Santa's location is sponsored in part by A Grand Affair, Party and Event Rentals. Other holiday costumed characters will entertain downtown visitors during the evening.

Free screenings of the classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" video will be shown at 6:00 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Varsity Theatre, 616 2nd Street. The Grace Valley Choir will sing outside the Varsity Theatre from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. as well.

A girl's choir from the Davis Musical Theatre Company's Storybook Production of "Madeline's Christmas" will perform in the E Street Plaza at 6:50 p.m. "Madeline's Christmas" is playing Dec. 9 through 24 at DMTC. For more information, visit www.dmtc.org/storybook

Free horse-drawn carriage rides will depart every 10 minutes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. from the curb in front of Alphabet Moon Toys & Treasures at 605 2nd Street. The carriage rides are sponsored this year by John Brinley Properties.

The Davis High School Cheer Team members will be assisting with the event and also making available hot cider, cocoa, and coffee as well as individually wrapped cookies, brownies, and krispy treats. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the team's travel and competitions.

Various downtown merchants will offer unique decorations, refreshments, and entertainment during the evening. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 1, The Avid Reader at 617 2nd Street will feature a special reading and signing of the book, The Little Christmas Elf, by local author and teacher Nikki Shannon Smith. More information can be found at www.avidreaderbooks.com

Watermelon Music, 207 E Street, will host a concert by the Tomcat Trumpeters, 18-24 trumpeters performing holiday music in or around the store after the tree is lit at 6:30 pm.

The following downtown businesses will also host holiday receptions with refreshments and/or entertainment on December 1, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (unless noted otherwise):

• Alphabet Moon, 605 2nd Street
• Armadillo Music, 205 F Street
• The Artery, 207 G Street (until 8:00 p.m.)
• Avid Reader, 617 2nd Street (until 10:00 p.m.)
• B&L Bike Shop, 610 3rd Street
• B&L Too, 608 3rd Street
• A Better Place to Bead, 132 E Street, Ste. 150 (until 8:00 p.m.)
• Davis Ace Housewares, 240 G Street (until 7:00 p.m.)
• Davis Food Co-op, 620 G Street
• French Cuff Consignment, 130 G Street
• Generations Family Footwear, 710 2nd Street
• Logos Books, 513 2nd Street
• Luxury Out House Company, 207 F Street, Ste. A
• Mother and Baby Source, 714 2nd Street
• nestware, 207 F Street, Ste. B
• Preeti Girl, 200 E Street
• riki design, 202 E street
• Roots Fair Trade, 231 G Street, Ste. 8 (until 8:00 p.m.)
• Sole Desire, 803 2nd Street
• The Wardrobe, 206 E Street
• Watermelon Music, 207 E Street
• Woodstock's Pizza, 219 G Street
• UC Davis Store Downtown, 630 2nd Street

For more information about the event, contact the City of Davis City Manager's Office at (530) 757-5602.