Tree lighting ceremony returns after years-long pause

For the first time in many years, Eagle Mountain residents will again gather under the glow of a community Christmas tree.

The City is reviving its tree lighting tradition this December, marking the return of a ceremony that many residents have asked to see restored.

Events Manager Dawn Hancock says the renewed celebration is the result of steady community interest and strong support from the City Council.

“Years ago, we held this event in the evening and included a tree lighting ceremony,” Hancock says. “We later moved Christmas Village to the daytime to see if that would better accommodate residents. Over the past several years, we’ve been working to bring the evening celebration back, and with support from City Council and requests from the community, we were able to purchase a 22-foot tree that will now serve as our annual centerpiece.”

The new tree, sourced specifically to anchor an annual lighting tradition at Christmas Village on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., stands 22 feet tall and is designed to withstand winter conditions while accommodating thousands of LED lights and seasonal decorations.

Crews are decorating it with layered strands of warm white lights, oversized ornaments and a star topper meant to be easily visible across the park.

“We truly love the evening atmosphere and ambiance because it captures the magic of the season,” Hancock says.

For the City, the return of a tree lighting ceremony emphasizes its role in building a sense of place.

“There’s something special about residents gathering around the tree and sharing the moment the lights come on,” says Hancock.

The tree will be displayed at Cory Wride Memorial Park throughout December, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy it after the lighting ceremony concludes.

Families can also walk through a fully illuminated tunnel installed along the park’s pathway, offering a festive evening experience all season long.

Hancock hopes the tree lighting becomes a tradition residents look forward to each year.