Christmas lighting event today on the Plaza

SANTA FE, NM – November 24, Festivities start around 3:00 p.m. with a Choir and Girl Scouts giving out cookies and hot chocolate. Entertainment and Music from the bandstand all evening. Santa and Mrs. Claus’s appearance around 4 p.m. is executed in true Santa Fe style. The Clauses are transported to the Plaza on a vintage fire truck, which heralds their arrival with its siren sounding. . Volunteers will begin lighting over 1,000 farolitos around 4:30, which will illuminate the Plaza until the main event at 6:00, presided over by Mayor Javier M. Gonzales, city councilors and other dignitaries. City crews spend three to four weeks placing farolitos along the portals on the sides of the Plaza, stringing 10,000 lights in trees and mini-lights around the gazebo, Santa’s Hut and other areas. Blow up penguins, snowmen, and polar bears are scattered throughout the Plaza for the event. The crowd counts down and the delegated flip the main switch and those stationed at four other power sources illuminate every light in unison. For additional information, please contact: Carlos Sanchez; Marketing and Special Events Administrator, Parks and Recreation Department; 505-955-2146; cmsanchez@ci.santa-fe.nm.us