The Downtown Franklin Square will be closing to traffic from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. today to accommodate thousands expected for the lighting of the 40-foot community Christmas tree.
Local professional theater company Studio Tenn will perform songs from A Studio Tenn Christmas. Freedom Intermediate School Honors Choir, and Centennial High School Chamber Choir will also sing before Mayor Ken Moore flips the switch on the tree.
Williamson Medical Center sponsors the free photos with Santa beginning at 5:30 pm, one hour before the program starts. The Grinch himself — star of the hit Broadway show Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical — will be on the Square too for free photo opportunities, and a lucky winner will walk away with a pair of FREE tickets to see the musical at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Downtown shops along Main Street will be open late and feature the holiday inspired windows and décor. Traveling musicians will entertain the crowds leading up to the main event.
“Last year was such a fun event with close to 4,000 people in attendance! This event is so special to our community. We thank our sponsors and especially Spring Tree Media who make the Christmas magic happen,” said Mayor Ken Moore. “We expect to light the tree at 7.”
The City Communications team will stream the festivities live from Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityoffranklin. For more information on this event go to www.franklintn.gov/treelighting.
Downtown Franklin Participation:
- Anthropologie is open until 7 p.m. and will provide Christmas cookies in the evening hours.
- Avec Moi will stay open late for the lighting festivities.
- The Cellar on Main is hosting their Open House until 9 p.m.
- Finnleys Good Findings will be having a “Shopping, Sipping & Wishing Night,” where customers can shop from 6 to 9 p.m. They will be doing giveaways each hour, and offering customers 15 percent off items in-store (excluding sale items) and the opportunity to add to a holiday wish list for a 10 percent discount. They will also have wine and other refreshments.
- Handy Hardware will be open until 9 p.m. and offering free MoonPies and hot chai tea made from a BrightStone mix from 5 to 9 p.m.
- Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church will be decorated and open for visitors
- Heart and Hands is hosting their Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. They will serve refreshments and will be offering 15 percent off any purchase. They never offer sales on their handmade items, so this is special!
- Imago Dei & House of Belonging will stay open late.
- JONDIE and Mimi and Dottie will both host their Open Houses. They will offer wine, in addition to gift ideas and personalized styling services.
- Kelly Spalding will host their Holiday Open House from 3 to 7 p.m., and offer cocktails, food and 15% off the entire store (except for custom orders and local artists work), along with door prizes and giveaways. They will also give a special gift with purchases of $50 or more.
- Pieology will host their Open House and hold a contest in-store for a free pizza party, valued at $300, for 23 of the winner’s closest friends in the upstairs private room. Visit in-store during their Open House and enter their Pie-Life eclub to win.
- The Registry will be open late that night and will be serving wine and light refreshments.
- Savory Spice will be open until 8 p.m., offering complimentary mulled cider.
- Shannon Eye Care will be open until 7:30, offering festive drinks and a sneak peak of their “Holiday Eyewear Trunk Show.”
- The Shoppes on Main will host an Open House with refreshments and giveaways.
- Taziki’s will be giving a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees. They will have normal hours, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The Visitor Center will be open until 8 p.m.
- Vue Optique will be open until 6 p.m. and will serve champagne from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Walton’s Jewelry will be hosting their Holiday Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. They will have live music in the store with champagne and 20% off all purchases.
