City tree lighting to start holiday season

The Christmas countdown begins in Hoover on Nov. 30 with the annual Christmas tree lighting at Hoover Municipal Center. The event begins at 5 p.m. and is expected to last about 90 minutes.

“Everybody just likes to come see Santa and play in the snow,” said Erin Colbaugh, events coordinator for the city of Hoover. “It’s a fun, festive event to get the holidays started off.”

Kennedi Robinson, a fifth-grader at Green Valley Elementary School, is scheduled to flip the switch to light the decorations. The fourth-grade and fifth-grade choir from Riverchase Elementary School is scheduled to sing, and the Spain Park High School band also will perform.

After arriving in a fire truck, Santa Claus will greet and take pictures with children. Commemorative decorations will be available for everyone in attendance. Light refreshments, including hot chocolate and cider, will also be available.  

There is also one more special touch.

“We always have snow here at city hall for our tree lighting,” Colbaugh said.

Parking is available at the Hoover Public Library, with shuttle service available to take people to the city hall parking lot. 

“We will close Municipal Lane at 4 p.m. because we’ll start shuttling people over from the parking lot,” Colbaugh said.

The Hoover Public Library will close early at 2 p.m. on Monday in conjunction with the tree lighting.