Photos: Fairfax City Rings In The Holidays With Festival, Santa and Tree Lighting

Despite it being arguably the coldest day yet of the season, hundreds bundled up in coats, hats and gloves to come out for the City of Fairfax's 27th annual Festival of Carols and Lights and Tree Lighting at Kitty Pozer Garden downtown.

Old Town Hall was buzzing with activity as several groups performed music in the downstairs hall, while Santa Claus was the man of the hour upstairs, greeting children, posing for photos and handing out candy canes.

In the garden, there were plenty of fun activities, like the petting zoo with goats, llamas, a donkey, rabbits, chickens and ducks; free rides on the small ferris wheel; a large fire for roasting s'mores; free hot cider from the Fairfax Kiwanis Club and Key Club volunteers; and the holiday lights display.

Many families stopped by the warm tent to make holiday cards for soldiers as well.

At 5:30 p.m., the Jubil-aires took the stage to entertain with carols, until a loud, screeching fire truck pulled up to drop off special guest Santa himself. 

Then, members of the City Council and Mayor Scott Silverthorne greeted the crowd to thank everyone for coming and officially light the tree. Silverthorne was definitely the trooper of the night, as he came out to fulfill his ceremonial duties despite having broken his arm just hours before!

The tree and lights display will be up through Jan. 5 in Kitty Pozer Garden for locals to enjoy. The garden is located behind Old Town Hall, on University Drive between North and Main Streets.

TELL US - Did you come out for the festival and tree lighting? Tell us what you thought of the events in the comments.

HAVE SOME GREAT PHOTOS FROM THE DAY'S FESTIVITIES? E-mail them to the editor at jennifer.vanderkleut@patch.com and we'll add them to the gallery!

FOLLOW FAIRFAX CITY PATCH FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS!