Christmas lights and warm hearts, that’s the way the holiday in Benicia starts.

Benicia hosted annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 4, 2015 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Every year people of all ages gather on First Street in downtown Benicia to celebrate the beginning of Christmas time.

Benicia Christmas tree lighting. #ChristmasCanStartNow @rookiesbenicia @beniciacrossfit @ Sailor… https://t.co/n55DFQdsLf

— 2js (@Coach2js) December 5, 2015

The entire town is down here tonight. #smalltowns #treelighting ?

— Madeline Berry (@MadelineDVCINQ) December 5, 2015

 

Students not yet home for the holidays miss out on the tree lighting every year.

I miss being able to attend the Benicia Christmas Tree Lighting

— Jared Thieme (@_JThiems) December 6, 2015

 

It is not an event you want to miss.

First year of my life that I’ll be missing the Benicia tree lighting ?

— tatiana (@Taterturt) December 1, 2015

im sad i missed the benicia tree lighting )-:

— mia (@plsmia) December 5, 2015

 

It’s an excuse to leave home and catch up with the people you haven’t seen in awhile.

Benicia tree lighting tomorrow? ? just to get out the house and actually do something lol

— Cookie Monster (@Alyaj98) December 4, 2015

So much fun. Hundreds of happy people in #Benicia https://t.co/fXRD2CJsw2

— Estey Real Estate (@EsteyRealEstate) December 5, 2015

My favorite time of the year on first street. Running into friends from high school. #benicia #classof2013 pic.twitter.com/nWh8YSHyhx

— Madeline Berry (@MadelineDVCINQ) December 7, 2015

 

“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style”

The grinch dog that stole the #benicia tree lighting #feathererpet pic.twitter.com/XYPpdIH4nf

— Gary Gascoigne (@CoachGary32) December 5, 2015

 

“Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile, and on every street corner you’ll hear”

Families, children and couples danced to the live band by the tree to Christmas songs.

Elves singing all the classic Christmas songs at the end of first street. Come join and dance along. ? pic.twitter.com/QqTu8qtZuz

— Madeline Berry (@MadelineDVCINQ) December 5, 2015

Free pictures with Santa Clause, popcorn, hot chocolate, candy canes, cotton candy and hot apple cider for all.

Take a free picture with Santa at Coldwell Banker on First street. ?? #benicia pic.twitter.com/mhJLt4DfIh

— Madeline Berry (@MadelineDVCINQ) December 5, 2015

 

Free popcorn and hot chocolate. ?#beniciatreelighting pic.twitter.com/MdAPFIVfo3

— Madeline Berry (@MadelineDVCINQ) December 5, 2015

 

“Soon it will be Christmas Day”

Moments before the tree is about to be lit the mayor of Benicia gives speech. ?

— Madeline Berry (@MadelineDVCINQ) December 5, 2015

 

3-2-1…

It’s lit. ?#BeniciaTreeLighting #countdown pic.twitter.com/2Zz9mHe5bw

— Madeline Berry (@MadelineDVCINQ) December 5, 2015

The tree at the end of First Street will stay lit all December long.

The Benicia tree lighting today was gr8 pic.twitter.com/OmErYsSJnJ

— Ya kno Juju (@Juju_Rhodes) December 5, 2015

If you missed out this year make sure you come next. It gets bigger and better every year.