Citizens for Milford is planning the Eighth Annual Milford Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Draper Memorial Park on the evening of Friday, Dec. 1. All Milford residents are invited to arrive starting at 5:30 p.m. for cookies, hot chocolate, and chili. The tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. This community event is free and 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 at 7 p.m. Families are encouraged to take their own photos with Santa. 

Event Chairpersons Rosemary Trettel and Kim Smith state, “Citizens for Milford invites all Milford residents to join us for the eighth year of the Christmas Tree Lighting. The ceremony provides a wonderful opportunity for Milford families and neighbors to gather, even for a short while, as a community to celebrate the peace and joy of the season.”

If it rains or snows heavily on Dec. 1, Citizens for Milford plans to light the tree at 6:30 p.m. but will scale back other activities as needed.

Citizens for Milford is thrilled to be collaborating once more with the Greater Milford Community Chorus, Milford’s Red Heat Tavern, the Milford Public Schools Food Service, and the Milford Parks Department to provide the best possible community event this year. 

The 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.