A petting zoo and pony rides kept the children delighted before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived with the support of Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Station #12 Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department. After making their way through the crowd, Santa called out the countdown for the Christmas tree lighting.

The Celebration of Lights would not be complete without the dazzling lit star atop the Live Nativity scene. Against the backdrop of Great Falls’ night sky, actors in costumes reenacted the 2,022-year-old scene.

Thank you those who responded to our request for photos for this story, Krista Gatt, Colin Malone, Leslie Smith, Ginger Singh, Piper Ryan, Melissa Whitson, Bill Canis, the Burkholder family, and the folks at Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Station No. 12 Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department.