Tree Lighting and Santa Claus Meet-and-Greet Thursday Night

Somerville holds its annual tree lighting Thursday night, and Santa Claus will be making an appearance.

The tree lighting takes place at 5:30 p.m. on the City Hall Councourse, and Santa will attend the ceremony escorted by the Somerville Fire Department.

After the ceremony, Santa will be available for photos at the Somerville High School Highlander Cafe. He'll give a gift to all children who attend the ceremony, according to the city's website.

In addition to the tree lighting, Somerville will, for the first time, light a Hanukkah menorah on Thursday.

The Somerville High School Band, the Somerville High School Chorus and Somerville Community Chorus, and the El Sistema Somerville youth orchestra will perform.