Downtown Alliance - Salt Lake City, Utah

A tree that had been in the center of a Holladay front yard for forty years, Saturday became the center of holiday festivities at The Gateway.

It's not yet Thanksgiving, but that didn't stop hundreds of people from enjoying the beginning of the holiday season at The Gateway. 100-thousand twinkling LED lights changing from green, and white, to Christmas red now adorn a blue spruce gifted earlier this week by the Summerhays family in Holladay.

The anticipation for the tree lighting began before dark, with people staking out their spots and enjoying free treats good enough for Santa himself. Nanette was with her children and says time passed pleasantly. “We had hot cocoa and cookies and it was absolutely worth it.”

With Christmas music ringing through the air, the traditional tree lighting ceremony created a little magic shared by strangers, and friends, and families alike. "It's so awesome. I think the kids especially just loved it tonight, seeing all of the lights and just the excitement in the air." Nanette said.

The rest of the downtown Christmas lights, including the lights on Temple Square, will be illuminated Friday. The lights-on celebration begins at five o'clock, with a free party at the Gallivan Center and free parking throughout the city.