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Watch 'Light up the Season' holiday special on WXYZ - Friday, November 17

Posted at 3:41 PM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-17 21:17:39-05

The holiday season in Detroit kicks off on Friday at Campus Martius Park, when the city’s Christmas tree lights up for the first time.

WXYZ will broadcast complete coverage of the event during a live special, “Light Up the Season,” from 7-8 p.m. on Channel 7.

7 Action News anchors Stephen Clark and Carolyn Clifford will host the program, along with 7 Action News anchor Glenda Lewis.

The show will include musical performances from Detroit’s own soulful funk band Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas; international R&B and Motown star, Kem; and Detroit’s Queen of Blues, Thornetta Davis.

U.S. Olympic medalist and four-time U.S. Figure Skating Champion Jeremy Abbott will be featured in the holiday ice show. “Light Up the Season,” will be streamed live on wxyz.com and on Facebook.
“We’re pleased to be able to share this uniquely Detroit event with our viewers,” said Mike Murri,

WXYZ and WMYD vice president and general manager. “The tree lighting celebration showcases the beauty of our city and brings together families from across Metro Detroit. We’re proud to partner with the Downtown Detroit Partnership for this wonderful holiday tradition.”

This is the 14th consecutive year for the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s annual tree lighting ceremony. The centerpiece of this year’s event is a Michigan-grown, 60-foot Norwegian Spruce, that will be decked out with more than 19,000 multi-colored lights and ornaments.

The tree lighting is expected to draw more than 40,000 people to the area surrounding Campus Martius Park, Detroit’s meeting place. WXYZ will begin live coverage in “The NOW” at 4 p.m.

7 Action News at 5 and 6 p.m. will capture all the excitement leading up to the big moment, including a special interview with Santa.