A few minutes after Mayor Leo Fontaine led a crowd of children in a count down to the tree lighting, St. Nick arrived aboard a horse-drawn carriage that pulled in front of the park near City Hall.

Santa dismounted and made his way through the crowd to a small house set up for him to recieve the long line of children anxious to met the Christmas icon and give him their holiday wishes.

Carriages began running between the depot at One Depot Square and the Museum of Work and Culture, past carolers, a fire dancer, vendors and a number of shops and restaurants open for the night with special offers for the night.