Downtown Bend lights up for the holidays with annual Christmas tree lighting event
(Update: adding interview with attendees, video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Downtown Bend kicked off the holiday season this weekend with one of the community’s favorite traditions: the annual Christmas tree lighting in the heart of downtown.
Families packed the streets Sunday night, filling the sidewalks around the big tree as music, laughter and the smell of hot cocoa set a festive scene. The event featured live performances by local choirs singing holiday favorites, visits with Santa and plenty of holiday lights brightening up downtown.
Kids lined up to “sit with Santa,” share what they’re hoping to find under the tree this year and snap photos on their families’ phones and cameras. Volunteers handed out candy canes, adding to the classic small-town holiday feel.
The lighting of the tree happened mid-event, with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler helping lead the countdown and flip the switch that officially signaled the start of the season. As the tree lights came on and downtown’s twinkle lights glowed overhead, the crowd cheered and many families stayed to stroll through the decorated streets and take in the magic.
KTVZ’s Claire Elmer live-streamed the celebration and spoke with attendees about what makes the night special.
“I think just the atmosphere, right? It’s the holiday season — getting festive, getting to enjoy it with the family. It doesn’t get better than that,” one dad, Bobby, said.
Young attendees were especially taken with the towering downtown tree.
“It’s a pretty tree,” a group of girls told Elmer, quickly agreeing that their favorite part was “the star on the top” and “the colorful lighting,” while sipping hot cocoa and trying to stay warm in the chilly evening air.
The Downtown Bend Business Association, which hosts the celebration, said the Christmas tree and downtown holiday lights will remain up through the New Year, giving residents and visitors more time to enjoy that holiday glow on evening walks and shopping trips.
