The holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Santa Claus with Mayor Justin Wilson at Santa Claus with Mayor Justin Wilson at the holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Santa Claus at the holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Santa makes his way through the Market Square crowd, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
The holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Vice Mayor Amy Jackson takes a selfie with (left to right) Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Mayor Justin Wilson, Council Member Alyia Gaskins, Council Member Kirk McPike and Sen. Adam Ebbin at the holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Mayor Justin Wilson at the holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
The holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and children at the holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Santa Claus with local elected officials and their families at the holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)
Old Town just got a little brighter.
On Saturday (Nov. 19), Santa Claus made his way to City Hall on the King Street Trolley to help members of City Council light the holiday tree at Market Square in front of City Hall.
Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker started things off with a proclamation, followed by speeches by Santa and Mayor Justin Wilson.
There are 40,000 lights on the 40-foot-tall tree at Market Square.
Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.