One of the best and longest kept holiday traditions in Tacoma is the annual lighting of the Christmas tree downtown at South 9th Street and Broadway. Each year for more than six decades people of all ages have been congregating outside Pantages Theater after Thanksgiving to witness the tree’s illumination, and this year is no different: it happens on Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. to officially kick off Christmastime in T-Town. Santa Claus will be there as well at around 4:30 p.m. to meet the little ones and add his ho-ho-ho to the jovial festivities.

The yuletide cheer actually gets underway at 3 p.m. inside the theater with the screening of a four-time Oscar nominated and Golden Globe winning film, 1970s “Scrooge: The Musical” starring Albert Finney in one of his most beloved roles. Rated G, it will be shown again at 6 p.m. after the tree lighting ceremony, when folks gather ‘round with cheers and applause for the arrival of this season of giving. Mayor Bill Baarsma and Santa will have the honor of throwing the switch. A community group photo will be taken as well so that Broadway Center for the Performing Arts can send it out as their Christmas card this year in honor of its 25th anniversary.

“This is the kickoff for the whole season downtown,” said Benjii Bittle, deputy executive director of Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. “Things will really be hopping now through First Night,” which is Tacoma’s popular New Year’s Eve celebration. He noted that there is lots of stuff to do here during the holidays, particularly in theaters where Broadway Center has lined up a feast of holiday family entertainment, from “The Nutcracker” and “The Christmas Revels,” to Tacoma Symphony Orchestra’s “Sounds of the Season” and the Seattle Men’s Chorus in their brand-new holiday show “Fruitcake.”

As is custom, the tree is being donated again this year by Fort Lewis. It arrived outside the Pantages last week and firefighters from Tacoma Fire Department got busy right away getting it set up to string the thousands of lights and hang a shining star upon the highest bough. This year Life Center purchased new ornaments as a sponsor of the tree lighting. Other sponsors are The Art Stop, Blitz and Co. Florists, city of Tacoma, Downtown Merchants Group, Grassi Flowers and Gifts, Fort Lewis, LeRoy Jewelers, Tacoma Fire Department and Tacoma Power.

The holiday tree lighting is a free community event. Complimentary hot cocoa and cider will be provided by Broadway Center. Tickets to see “Scrooge: The Musical” are $8 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Broadway Center box office at 9th and Broadway, by calling (253) 591-5894 or by visiting www.broadwaycenter.org.