Citizens for Milford is planning the Eleventh Annual Milford Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Draper Memorial Park on the evening of Friday, Dec. 4. All Milford residents are invited to arrive starting at 5:30 p.m. for free hot chocolate, cookies, brownies, and soup. The tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. This free and festive community event is open to everyone. Highlights of this year’s event will include the holiday carol sing-along led by members of the Greater Milford Community Chorus, as well as a special visit from Santa Claus. Santa will arrive at 5:45 p.m. and will visit with kids and families until the event ends before 7 p.m. Families are encouraged to take their own photos with Santa.

Event Chairpersons Rosemary Trettel and Kim Smith state, “We invite all residents to join us for the Milford Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 4 to launch the holiday season. This free and cherished event provides a perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family as we visit with Santa, sing traditional songs, and count down together to light Milford’s tree.” 

If it rains or snows heavily on Dec. 4, Citizens for Milford plans to light the tree at 6:30 p.m. but will scale back other activities as needed. Please check the Citizens for Milford Facebook page ( Facebook.com/CitizensforMilford ) for possible changes to the schedule, especially if the weather looks questionable.

Citizens for Milford is thrilled to be collaborating once more with the Greater Milford Community Chorus, Milford’s Rail Trail Flatbread Company, Milford Public Schools Food Service, Milford Parks Department, and Milford Fire Department to provide the best possible community event this year. Citizens for Milford is also grateful to the Milford Cultural Council, which has awarded grant funds in past years to help fund this event. 

Questions about the event can be emailed to [email protected]. The historic and beautifully revitalized Draper Memorial Park occupies a triangle of land in the downtown Milford area, located at the intersection of Congress Street and Main Street.