Festive Friday, Christmas tree lighting tonight

In this Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016 photo provided by the City of Cornwall, members of Black & McDonald set up the Christmas tree in the courtyard of the justice building in Cornwall, Ont. The tree will be lit up around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. (City of Cornwall via Newswatch Group)

CORNWALL – Some downtown businesses are hoping to kick off the Christmas shopping season tonight through a Downtown Business Improvement Area event.

“Festive Friday” starts at 5 p.m. and will see participating businesses showing off their latest and greatest for area shoppers late into the evening.

With the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the justice building at 340 Pitt Street, shops are hoping to capitalize on the crowd just a few blocks away.

“After residents take in the sights and sounds of the Christmas tree lighting event, we would encourage them to continue downtown and check out the great offerings from our retailers and restaurants,” Centretown coordinator Todd Lihou said.

The tree lighting event starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m. with the official flicking of the switch at 6:30 p.m.

The giant Christmas tree was made possible by contributions of numerous partners including Strathmore tree farm, the Cornwall Community Police Service, the Downtown Business Improvement Area, City of Cornwall, Black & McDonald and Metro Towing.