Highland Park kicks off season Nov. 19

The City of Highland Park's Annual Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony will take place from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Port Clinton Square in downtown Highland Park.

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering will lead the lighting ceremony, which will feature family-friendly activities throughout downtown Highland Park, including Frosty's Scavenger Hunt, visits with Santa, horse-drawn sleigh rides, face painting, prizes and more.

The schedule of events is as follows:

• 2:30 p.m. Lake Forest Country Day School Choir

• 2:45 p.m. Arrival of Santa

• 3 p.m. Highland Park High School Band

• 3 p.m. Scavenger Hunt begins

• 3:30 p.m. Elm Place Middle School Choir

• 3:55 p.m. The Performer's School

• 4:25 p.m. Soul2Sole Dance Inc.

• 4:55 p.m. Tree-Lighting Count Down with Mayor Rotering

• 3-5:30 p.m. "Nutcracker" performances by Irina Makkai Ballet in the windows of Uncle Dan's

Boy Scout Troop 234 will be selling hot chocolate and cider during the event. In addition, refreshments, activities and goodies will be offered by many participating local businesses.

Participating business are donating prizes to the raffle, providing an in-kind donation or entertainment or volunteering to be a stop along the scavenger hunt. These businesses include: Ami Ami, Christ Church Highland Park, Classic Kids Highland Park Photography, CryoPure Spa, Essential Evolution Holistic Wellness, Florals by Mary Celeste, Freedom Home Care, Guaranteed Rate, Guitar Center Highland Park, Highland Park Bank, Ivy Rehab, Jayne Boutique, Lisa Schulkin @properties, Panera Bread, Real Urban BBQ, Renaissance Place, Stationary Station, Trunk Club, Uncle Dan's, Workshop Highland Park, and Zeifert Eye Care.

Free parking will be available throughout the Central Business District.

For information, visit cityhpil.com/HolidayLighting.