Downtown Mobile is about to glow.
The City of Mobile, together with Mayor-elect Spiro Cheriogotis, will flip the switch on the holiday season during the annual Lighting of the Tree on Friday, Nov. 21.
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mardi Gras Park will come alive with lights, laughter, and the unmistakable spirit of Christmas in the Port City.
It’s one of those evenings that makes downtown feel like a small town again—familiar faces, kids running around, and the smell of hot cocoa drifting through the air.
A Celebration That Feels Like Home
Over the years, the Lighting of the Tree has become more than an event—it’s a local ritual that signals the start of Mobile’s holiday stretch.
Families gather in sweaters and scarves, couples stroll through the park, and old friends catch up beneath the glow of twinkling lights.
It’s the perfect way to ease into the season before the parades, concerts, and Christmas markets begin.
This year, the free community event promises an even fuller lineup, with live music, dance performances, local vendors, food trucks, crafts, games, inflatables, and plenty of festive photo ops.
Music, Magic, and a Special Arrival
The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with performances by the Mobile Parks and Recreation Department Community Mass Choir and the Danze 101 Academy of Ballet Studio and Company.
The air will hum with holiday harmonies and classic carols, setting the mood for what’s ahead.
At 6 p.m., Santa himself will make a grand entrance—an arrival that always steals the show.
Then, at 6:20 p.m., Mayor-elect Spiro Cheriogotis will officially light the tree, sending a warm glow across the park and signaling that the holiday season has officially begun in Mobile.
A Mayor’s First and a City’s Tradition
For Cheriogotis, this Lighting of the Tree marks a special first as he steps into his new role.
He shared his excitement, saying, “The Lighting of the Tree has become one of Mobile’s most beloved traditions, and I am excited and grateful to be leading it for the first time this year.
Christmas is a season of joy, gratitude, and togetherness, and that is exactly what this event is about.”
His words reflect what so many residents already know—this tradition captures what makes Mobile feel like family.
The Sounds of the Season
The night closes on a high note with a live performance from Vocalocity, an award-winning a cappella group whose harmonies will fill the park from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
It’s the kind of music that makes you tap your foot, hum along, and maybe even forget about your to-do list for a little while.
Between the songs, the lights, and the smiles, it’s easy to see why this event holds such a special place in Mobile’s holiday calendar.
The Lighting of the Tree has a way of slowing time down—just for an evening.
It’s a reminder that joy doesn’t need grand plans or faraway trips. Sometimes it’s right here, under a glowing tree, surrounded by neighbors, as the Port City sparkles into another season of celebration.
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