Manhattan started the holiday season again this year with the Festival of Lights tree lighting ceremony — an annual tradition for most families.

“I really look forward to this every year, especially this year since the choir came to sing and makes this the most jolly time of the year,” junior Jack Finke said.

The Manhattan High Chamber Choir joined the entertainment lineup this season for the first time since 2019 and made more families want to come back to the next tree lighting.

“Chad Pape, the MHS choir teacher and the choir students really showed out and it made me feel so good deep down to hear our school pride at the biggest tree in Kansas,” sophomore Luke Farrel said.

For many of the choir students, this was their very first tree lighting and definitely one to remember. When preparing for the concert, the students took the week before to learn Christmas carols and perfect them in each section.

“Honestly, my favorite part was to just be with everyone and bonding with everyone in the Chamber Choir because it’s a really fun experience,” junior Michael Jund said.

At the lighting, there were also many surprises of people’s favorite winter characters like Santa and the Grinch.

The only complaint for the evening was the cold weather. No matter the cold, they all came out and added their musical touch and Christmas cheer.

“Santa was very nice and we all got pictures with him and the Grinch,” senior Tirzah Kohl said.