The Downtown Hershey Association invites the public to kick off the holiday season with the annual tree lighting and arrival of Santa on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 6 p.m. in ChocolateTown Square Park on West Chocolate Avenue in Hershey.

Santa will arrive at 2:30 p.m. via a firesleigh provided by the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company. He will meet with children in a socially distanced manner until 5:30 p.m. before he leaves to light the holiday tree and return to the North Pole. Kids are also invited to bring letters to Santa to the special mailbox in ChocolateTown Square that day or anytime starting Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Free cookies provided by Karns Quality Foods and hot cocoa donated by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts will be available to attendees while supplies last.

Live music will be provided by the Hershey Horns, a group of young French horn players, and a group of holiday carolers. Guests can also visit with decorated miniature horses, provided by Prairie Fire Farms, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

The public is also invited to attend a community sing-along organized by Hope Springs Farms and WB Music Therapy at First United Methodist Church next to the park at 64 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and the event will start at 1 p.m. All sing-along participants must wear a mask in the church.

Additionally, local artisans will sell woodcrafts, pottery, jewelry, candles, baked goods, and more.

The community is also welcome to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Cocoa Packs Toy Drive and Cocoa Presents, along with nonperishable food donations for the Hershey Food Bank.

The community is also invited to participate in the annual "Find Snow" promotion during the month of December. Those who find snow in a downtown business may take a selfie and post it to the Downtown Hershey Association Facebook or Instagram page with the hashtag #DowntownHersheyHoliday. Each week, local businesses will donate gifts to the winners.

For more information, visit http://www.DowntownHershey.com and follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram.