Stockton’s annual tree lighting ceremony is set to take place downtown early next month, city officials said. 

The ceremony will take place Dec. 2 at Weber Point Events Center, located at 221 N. Center St., and will offer live caroling, snowfall, free hot chocolate, and photos with Santa Claus and the Grinch prior to the tree lighting. 

Gates will open at 3 p.m. and the tree will be lit up at 5:30 p.m., regardless of the weather. 

People can also browse and buy from vendors as well as purchase food from food trucks at the event. 

Following the ceremony, attendees can walk near the water to watch the Lynn Hahn Memorial Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade at 6 p.m.

City officials said the boat parade is a gift of the Marina West Yacht Club to the community.

More information about the event and other holiday city activities can be found at the local government’s website.

Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.