MILL CREEK, Wash., December 1, 2023—The Mill Creek Chamber of Commerce’s annual tree lighting ceremony returns this Saturday, December 2, in front of Mill Creek City Hall at 15728 Main Street featuring music, cocoa, and even the opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus himself.
Leading up to the event the Santa Parade, hosted by the Mill Creek Town Center, will make its return after premiering last year, marching down Main Street from LA Fitness to City Hall. Santa Claus and his Elves will lead the parade, marching with local community organizations. The parade starts at 3:45 p.m. at LA Fitness – 15024 Main Street.
After the parade the community is invited to gather in front of Mill Creek City Hall at 5 p.m. to listen to music by DJ Jones playing famed Holiday favorites, take a photo with Santa, and listen to a few words by Mill Creek city officials. The first 400 guests also get free hot cocoa and candy canes.
Following the Tree Lighting, there will be a Holiday Concert featuring Cherry Cherry (Tribute to Neil Diamond) at the Forum.
Even aside from taking years off from the pandemic Mill Creek’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade have both been a longstanding, annual, tradition for the city.
Saturday, December 2nd
2pm-6pm Free Train Rides
3:45pm Santa Parade on Main St.
5pm Tree Lighting at City Hall
6pm-8pm Holiday Concert featuring Cherry Cherry (Tribute to Neil Diamond)
Interested in participating? Contact Us!
Link to Interactive Map of Events
At last year’s event the city rolled out the Festival of Trees adding a fun, new, twist to Holidays in Mill Creek. Anyone passing through Mill Creek City Center until January 2 could see elaborate white vinyl trees and snow flurries as well as decorated store fronts. In addition to these displays, hiding in the storefronts, are four woodland creatures that, if found, could be scanned via QR code and submitted for a chance to win prizes.
This idea came from Jody Hawkins, Communications and Marketing for the City of Mill Creek, who wanted to bring Holiday cheer back to the Mill Creek Town Square. Hawkins worked tirelessly with the Town Center Association to form a holiday committee, including Kiwanis Club of Mill Creek and the City’s Art and Beatification Board to add vinyl decorated storefronts to business in Mill Creek’s town square.
This year looks a little different. In addition to the Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony the city of Mill Creek will be hosting “Santa’s Coming to Town” for the first time ever, featuring train rides from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the north end of Town Center. The Windermere office in the Town Center will also be offering photo opportunities with the Grinch from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. and again after the parade until 6 p.m.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
