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(KSL News) -- The Christmas Season has arrived in Salt Lake.
Downtown is shining brightly tonight following the annual Lights On celebration. Thousands of people crowded the streets to get a look.
At the Gateway, a huge crowd chimed in to help light up the huge Christmas tree. The giant spruce was donated by a Utah family in honor of their son who was killed in Iraq.
K-S-L Studio Five's Brooke and Darrin hosted the event, which also featured musical performances from Jon Schmidt.
Music also filled the air at the Gallivan Center. Gospel choirs accompanied the lighting of the ice skating plaza. The ice rink is now open for the season and many tried their turn on the ice.
At dusk, the lights came on at the same time as they did at Temple Square. It takes crews at Temple Square about three months to set up the lights.
The lights are only the start of the holiday season.
On Saturday and Sunday, The Utah Symphony stages its popular "Messiah" sing-in at 7 p.m. at Abravanel Hall.
Ogden holds it Santa parade tomorrow evening. It begins at 5:30 at 22nd and Washington Boulevard and continues to the elf-size Christmas Village for a fireworks show and a lights-on ceremony.
