AUBURN HILLS ILLUMINATES THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT 23rd ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY ON DECEMBER 2

Auburn Hills, MI-November 21, 2016 - On Friday, December 2, 2016, the holiday season will officially begin as the community celebrates the 23rd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Auburn Hills. 

This joyous festival is a free event for all.  Join the Mayor and members of City Council as they welcome special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus and light up the enormous Christmas tree at the corner of Squirrel and Auburn Roads.

Following the Tree Lighting Ceremony, everyone is invited to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Downtown Education Nook (DEN) and take a memorable photograph home as a keepsake.  Participants can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through town, snack on s’mores at the bonfire pit, see a holiday music show, make crafts and walk through downtown and see the specials the stores and restaurants have to offer. New for this year, guests will be able to visit with live reindeer in Downtown.

“The Tree Lighting Ceremony is the perfect time for kids of all ages to come and experience all that our beautiful downtown has to offer as we officially kick off the holiday season,” Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel says. “There are great activities planned for this year that you won’t want to miss. I’ve been told that there are live reindeer this year for our visitors to enjoy.” 

Auburn Hills has a direct mail route to the North Pole!  This holiday mailbox will be on display from Thanksgiving through Christmas.  Kids and families can stop by the letter writing station at the Ceremony and mail Santa a message the night of the event, or write one at home and bring it downtown. 

The holidays are a time for giving and the City is collecting donations for an incredible cause this year.  In 2016, a partnership with the VA Medical Center in Detroit was fostered to work together and provide comfort to homeless veterans in need.  A complete list of approved donation items can be found on the Auburn Hills Webpage (www.auburnhills.org).

This cherished celebration is a great way to build memories surrounded by family and friends.  Auburn Hills invites you to experience this great holiday tradition that allows you to explore and get to know a little more about Auburn Hills’ expanding Downtown.  

This event is sponsored by the Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA).  For more information and a full schedule of events please visit the City’s website and download the Holiday guide at www.auburnhills.org or contact Sam Harris, Management Assistant at sharris@auburnhills.org or 248-370-9440. 

About Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills is home to 23,000 residents and also serves as Michigan’s global business address, with 40 international corporations from 32 countries housed here, including Chrysler Group LLC and Borg Warner headquarters. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award-winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org. 

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