Montgomery will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting event at Village Hall, 200 N. River St., on Sunday at 5 p.m.

The event will include Santa Claus, giveaways, musical performances and the opening of the Festival of Trees, which will run through Dec. 26 at Village Hall and along River Street, village officials said.

Schoolchildren in various classrooms are busy making paper ornaments that will cover the village’s Christmas tree.

The event begins with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving in a Montgomery Countryside Fire District fire truck at 5 p.m. Matt Brolley, President of the Santa Claus and Montgomery Village, will then flip the switch to light the village’s Christmas tree as well as an additional 20 trees along the street, decorated by local businesses and organizations.

Santa and his wife will go to the community center for visits and photos until 7 p.m. The Oswego East Tri-M Music Honor Society will perform in the boardroom for those in line to see Santa.

Guests can enjoy free hot chocolate during the celebration at Atrevete Confections at 216 N. River St. or head to Gray’s Mill Estate at 211 N. River St. for a cookie.

Additionally, guests can enjoy live outdoor musical performances by students from the Oswego East Jazz Ensemble and listen to professional Christmas singers, the Festive Singers, along River Street. There will also be a “Touch a Truck” holiday event at 5:30 p.m

The Festival of Trees, which opens during Sunday’s event, runs through Dec. 26 and includes trees donated by residents, families, businesses and organizations both indoors at Village Hall and outdoors along River Street between Webster Street and Mill Street will be decorated. The trees in the community center can be viewed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.