Story + Photography by Catherine May Taylor

Even in the pouring rain, the city showed up en masse to watch this year’s Alexandria Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Despite it being a wet and cold evening, the ceremony went off without a hitch, as Mayor Justin Wilson – who was joined by the T.C. Williams High School choir, the Metropolitan School of the Arts, and of course Santa – lit this year’s tree.

Under the direction of choir director Theodore Thorpe III, the T.C. Williams High School choir delighted the audience with carols and for a while it seemed everyone forgot they were standing in the rain. The Metropolitan School of the Arts performed “Santa’s Spectacular” and wowed everyone with their talent.

This year’s tree fully illuminated the square and after the lighting, Santa started making his lists and checking them twice. Check www.alexandriava.gov next year for information about next year’s tree lighting.

To see our full coverage of this event, find your complimentary copy of the magazine here.