Market Street hosted thousands of attendees at its annual Lighting of the Tree celebration

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Market Street kicked off the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Tree event, where thousands came to see their 70-foot Christmas tree, synchronized to twinkling lights and holiday music, come to life on Thursday, November 16. “Market Street in Lights” presentation will continue nightly throughout the holiday season every hour on the half hour, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The entire outdoor shopping mecca was packed shoulder to shoulder all evening as families, friends, and individual adventurers came to witness the first “performance” of Market Street’s Christmas tree and the more than 25,000 multi-colored lights in Central Park. The event, which was free and open to the public, featured live music, cheer demonstrations, photo opportunities with angels, reindeer, and snowmen alike, shopping specials, and a massive sense of community spirit.

As part of the evening’s festivities, one deserving family or individual is nominated as the Official Lighting Luminary to light the tree in front of the cheering crowd. This year, four-year-old Carson Hiemenz was selected. Carson was joined by her mom and dad, Madison and Paul, and older siblings, Paul and Emmie, along with members for her extended family to flip the switch and officially kick off the holiday season and start Market Street’s three-minute light show, a dazzling display of flashing, multi-colored lights synchronized to holiday songs.

“When we learned we had been selected to light the tree this year we were thrilled,” said Carson’s mom Madison Hiemenz. “We’ve attended Market Street in Lights as a family previously and it’s such an awesome community event.”

Carson is a vivacious child who recently celebrated her fourth birthday with a Barbie and unicorn party. She was diagnosed in May 2023 with a stage IV high risk neuroblastoma and is currently undergoing treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital. Those interested can follow her journey at https://carsonscouragecom.wordpress.com/.

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