EL PASO - The annual Christmas tree lighting and holiday lights parade will be held on Saturday, December 3 in downtown El Paso.

Mayor John Cook, along with Jeanne Osborne and Daniel Fierro, both of Candelighters of El Paso, will light the tree in San Jacinto Plaza at approximately 5:50 p.m. Saturday. 

The El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union Celebration of Lights Parade will follow immediately after at 5:55 p.m.

Parking will be available at the Mills Plaza Parking Garage.  The parking fee is $5. There are also several places in downtown where people can park for free.

The schedule of events is as follows:

4:30 p.m. First Armored Division Band of Fort Bliss
5:00 p.m. St. Anthony Franciscanos Choir
5:30 p.m. Celebration of Lights Ceremony
5:50 p.m. Downtown Christmas Tree lighted by Mayor John Cook
5:55 p.m. Holiday Lights Parade
7:15 p.m. Fireworks Show 

Guest speakers include Ken Walters, President and CEO of El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union, Nanette Smejkal, City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Director, Major General Dana Pittard, First Armored Division and Fort Bliss Commanding General and Mayor John Cook.

The 54 ft. live Christmas tree now used each year at San Jacinto Plaza was donated by Corrine Boyce in 1998 in memory of her late husband Chuck.