Santa lights the tree on Dec. 2 in Addison

Carolers will sing, a bell choir will play and goodies will be available to munch when Santa arrives Friday, Dec. 2, to light the holiday tree in Addison.

But residents turning out for the annual festivities from 5 to 9 p.m. might notice a few changes from last year, said Angelo Sorce, the village's special events coordinator.

“There is less,” Sorce said. “There won't be shopping.”

Sorce explained that Green Meadows Shopping Center, a sponsor of the event, pulled out this year and, like everywhere, finances are a bit tighter. But he's working to keep the event as much as possible like years past.

Santa turns on the lights at 8 p.m. at the Addison Municipal Complex.

“There will be Santa and Mrs. Claus,” Sorce said, “Kids will get to ask what they want from Santa.”

A professional photographer will snap their pictures with the Jolly Old Elf for free. Frosty, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a balloon-twisting elf will return this year, as will school choral groups.

Student groups from Stone, Lake Park, St. Philip the Apostle and Holy Ghost schools will sing at 7 p.m. and an adult bell choir from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will perform.

“The caroling is inside the village rotunda (in the second floor courtroom) now instead of outside so people don't have to freeze any more,” Sorce said.

Uncle Harry's Ice Cream will sell treats such as hot cider; the Kiwanis will offer hot chocolate for a donation; and JD Muggs has donated hot dogs for a community group to prepare.

The event has had a very good turnout in times past and Sorce is aiming to keep it the same this year.

The event will be cablecast live on Addison Channel 6.