From staff reports:

The public is invited to attend the community’s holiday tree lighting event Friday, Nov. 25, at The Commons Mall near the northwest entrance by FedEx/Kinko’s store.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with a welcome by Mayor Skip Priest and performances by the Jet Cities Chorus and the Federal Way Chorale. The mall’s Santa will drop by to visit with the kids and there will be hot chocolate and cookies. The tree lighting will commence by 6 p.m. on a tree already located on the mall’s property.

The mall is located at South 320th Street and Pacific Highway South.

The event is sponsored by the City of Federal Way, The Commons and South King Fire and Rescue.

Holiday street lights will also begin lighting up the downtown, starting Nov. 23 and continuing through New Year’s Eve.

There has been an interest in the community for a number of years to have a tree-lighting event for the holidays. Merchants at Dash Point Village have held a similar event in the past. This year’s suggestion came from the Federal Way Arts Commission, according to the city.