NEW HAVEN -- The Elm City started its December celebration on Thursday in honor of the holiday season.
Thursday evening was the annual tree-lighting event on the New Haven Green. The tree has about 30,000 bulbs, and now they're all lit up!
The ceremony featured students and other choral groups singing, horse-drawn carriages, carnival rides, a pop-up library and even Santa Claus.
But the fun's not over! For the next three Saturdays, festivities will be held on the Green starting at noontime. This will also include a holiday bazaar in City Hall with 30 vendors, small businesses and artisans.
The tree-lighting also collected charitable contributions for Toys for Tots, the Connecticut Food Bank and Easter Seals/Goodwill Industries.
Click here for a full list of town holiday tree lightings.