Some Christmas-lovers may have already put up their trees and strung their lights, but the official beginning to the season does not come until the city lights its Christmas tree.

That event will happen this Friday at the Grand Illumination, when the community will gather at the intersections of Main and Prentis streets to celebrate the season.

“We’re really excited about the tree,” said Lori Carter of Suffolk Parks and Recreation. “The tree is huge. It’s 32 feet of twinkling lights, and this year it will have ornaments on it.”

The tree will be lit after a countdown somewhere between 6 and 6:30 p.m. In addition, there will be a barbershop quartet singing holiday favorites, horse-drawn carriages rides for a small fee, Rosa’s Coffee Cantina selling coffee and hot chocolate, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” children’s activities and, of course, Santa Claus.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will talk to children at the event. Carter said that a new system this year will assign numbers for Santa visits so that children do not have to wait in a long line to visit the Jolly Old Elf.

The high on Friday is expected to be about 50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service, so people should dress warmly to visit the event.

Parking will be available at the First Baptist Church parking lot on Main Street, as well as behind the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts at 110 W. Finney Ave. The tree is located at 326 N. Main St. The event is free and open to the public. For more details, call 514-7267.