Mayor's Holiday celebration and tree lighting set to light up Houston tonight

HOUSTON, TX - Mayor Sylvester Turner will kick off the holiday season with Houstonians at the 99th Annual Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. Guests are invited to Hermann Square at City Hall on Friday, November 30th from 6 p.m--8 p.m for a FREE event perfect for the entire family. The annual event is filled with music, fireworks and the lighting of the 65-foot holiday tree.

“The annual lighting of the holiday tree downtown is one of my favorite events,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “We are lucky to have such a great event available to families for FREE thanks to our wonderful sponsors.”

Alisan Porter, winner of The Voice Season 10 will headline this year’s event. Porter made history on the show – winning the title and a first-time victory for female coach and pop sensation Christina Aguilera. Prior to going on The Voice she appeared on Broadway in the original production of “Footloose” and the revival of “A Chorus Line.”  Porter’s rendition of “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” for her final performance secured her place in The Voice’s history. 

Professional and amateur artists will showcase their many talents. Santa will be available for free photos with children in The Gingerbread Village, along with seasonal food and beverages for sale.

The show will also include performances by Ernest Walker Band with gospel soloist Mary Griffin. The kids of the KIPP SHARP Singers choir will take the stage performing a number of holiday classics. METdance will join in on the fun with their combined youth and professional dance teams and the Harmony School of Excellence will present traditional holiday dance numbers. Local young siblings musical trio, Los Luzeros de Rioverde, featured on the hit television show Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey, will also perform.

The public is invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Salvation Army booth at the Mayor’s Holiday Celebration to help make the holidays brighter for children in need this season.

For more information and street closures, please visit www.houstontx.gov or www.houstonspecialevents.org.