Detroit Christmas Tree Lighting Takes Place Friday, Nov. 18

DETROIT (WWJ) - The city of Detroit is ready to usher in the holiday season with the 13th annual tree lighting in Campus Martius Park.

The ceremony, which kicks off the Season of Winter Magic in downtown Detroit, begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 and is free to the public.

Officials will light the 60-foot-tall Michigan-grown Norway Spruce, which is wrapped in more than 19,000 twinkling energy-efficient LED lights and decorated with sparkling red and silver ornaments, just before 8 p.m.

Four-time platinum recording artist Aaron Neville, along with Olympic skating champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White, will headline the evening's entertainment, with appearances by local Detroit musical acts and five metro-area skating clubs.

Other festivites include The Salvation Army Family Fun Tent, photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, free cinnamon rolls from IKEA in the Warming Tent, free hot chocolate from DTE Energy Foundation, McDonald's giveaways and much more.

The Salvation Army will light its giant Red Kettle at 6 p.m. and the entertainment show starts at 6:15 p.m. After the tree lighting ceremony, the ice rink will be open for skating with a live music mix from 9 p.m. until midnight.

The tree lighting ceremony will be broadcast live on WXYZ-TV from 7 to 8 p.m.

For more Winter Magic information, visit campusmartiuspark.org.