Rutland to celebrate the season at downtown tree lighting

Article originally published as “Rutland to celebrate the season at downtown tree lighting” by Jack Thurston

November 22, 2023

NBC 5

RUTLAND, Vt. —

Downtown Rutland, Vermont, is preparing for its annual tree-lighting celebration and is inviting the whole community to join in.

The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, in Depot Park, which is between the Walmart and the Amtrak station. Santa Claus will arrive on a firetruck with some help from Rutland firefighters. There will be caroling and hot cocoa, cookies, and other treats for people who come downtown, organizers said.

The event is free to attend.

The Downtown Rutland Partnership told NBC5 News it hopes folks will make an afternoon and evening of the celebration, exploring local businesses and restaurants while they're checking out the festive scene.

"Some of our downtown businesses will be having some extended hours that evening," noted Tiffany Saltis, of the Downtown Rutland Partnership. "It really is accessible. There's plenty of parking. And also, it's, again, just a good time to kind of take that opportunity to explore downtown Rutland and see what else is going on as far as restaurants and shopping opportunities."

Saltis emphasized that the tree lighting wouldn't be possible without the support of sponsors, several city departments, and nonprofit organizations. She called the event a "true celebration of community connections."

For more information on the downtown Rutland tree lighting, visit this website from the partnership.