KILLEEN – The festive season in Killeen is set to sparkle with the return of the annual ‘Holiday Under the Stars’ event, spanning two weekends of holiday cheer and community activities.

The celebrations begin on Friday, Dec. 6, with the traditional tree lighting ceremony at the Santa Fe Plaza on East Avenue D. Mayor Debbie Nash-King, accompanied by Santa Claus, will light the tree at 7 p.m. The evening’s festivities will feature performances by the Shoemaker High School Choir at 6 p.m. and the Ellison High School Choir at 6:30 p.m. Lady Songbird Jinda will close out the night with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can also enjoy a Selfie Station in the Carlson’s Merry Meet Up area, along with various food and craft vendors.

The holiday spirit continues the next morning with the Jingle Bell Dash 5K as part of the Centex Race Series. The race will take place at the Andy K. Wells Hike & Bike Trail on Saturday, Dec. 7, with onsite registration available before the 8 a.m. start.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Festival of the Holidays will be held from 4-8 p.m. in Downtown Killeen on Avenue C and 4th Street. This event will feature holiday-themed arts and craft vendors, food vendors, and more. Families can enjoy the Brightspeed Holiday Fun Zone and the Americans United Chill Zone.

The highlight of the festivities is the 61st annual Christmas Parade, themed “A Whoville Celebration!” The parade will take place on Dec. 14, starting at 6 p.m. on West Avenue D at North 2nd Street and concluding at the intersection of West Church Avenue and North College Street.

For more information about ‘Holiday Under the Stars,’ visit www.killeentexas.gov/downtownevents.

Please note that due to these events, there will be several downtown street closures. On Dec. 6, Avenue D will be blocked from the Santa Fe Plaza to Gray Street starting at 10 a.m., with the closure extending from 4th Street to Gray Street starting at 2 p.m. On Dec. 14, the parade route will be blocked starting at 8 a.m., affecting College Street from south of the railroad tracks to Sprott Avenue, Avenue D from College Street to North Gray Street, North Gray Street from Avenue D to Sprott Avenue, and Sprott Avenue from Gray Street to College Street. Additionally, Tank Battalion Avenue will be blocked at Root Avenue.

Join the community in celebrating the holiday season under the stars in Killeen!