For the first time in the history of Falls Church, festive lights are being placed in trees in the 100 and 200 blocks of W. Broad this year, with a formal ceremony welcoming the lights at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The City’s inaugural  Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Tuesday, December 16, at 5 p.m. in the park near 116 W. Broad St. In addition to the light’s debut, the Falls Church Fire Department’s famed Santamobile will make an appearance while officials flip the switch to light up trees in the 100 and 200 blocks of W. Broad St.

The low-energy, white holiday lights will be strung on 30 trees, creating a festive shopping and dining atmosphere near one of the Falls Church’s busiest intersections. The trees will remain lit at night until March, and then removed to promote healthy tree growth.