Photo: People celebrating the holiday season in Belmont Center at the annual tree lighting.

Santa Claus continues to find his way back to Belmont. And this year, ol’ St. Nick will visit Belmont Center on Thursday, Dec. 5, for the 34th annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The night’s highlight will be Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on Leonard Street around 6:15 p.m., on top of one of Belmont Fire Department’s engines. Santa will flip on the Center’s holiday lights on a tree adjacent to Bellmont Cafe which is donated by the Belmont Lions Club.

Team Santa will travel down Leonard Street to the M&T Bank branch – the former Belmont Savings Bank – where he and the Mrs. will greet their most significant constituency: children. Parents will get the opportunity to take photos with the jolly old man. Santa will be giving out candy canes and a promise to bring that special present on Dec. 24. 

Leonard Street will be closed, and family and friends are invited to gather and enjoy the holiday lights, meet with Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, listen to Belmont High School’s amazing Madrigal Singers, and enjoy some fried treats. Local business members of the Belmont Center Business Association organize the night’s events.