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NEWBERRY — Downtown will come alive on Friday night as the town kicks off the holiday season.

The events will start at 5 p.m. with the Newberry County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Winter Social.

This is the third year for the social but instead of wreaths being sold at the event the group will have gift baskets for sale.

The gift baskets have been made in many themes from teachers to golfers to beach lovers to children and many more.

One basket is made in a wagon while another has a blanket, starter logs, hot chocolate and cups.

The baskets will range in price from $5 to $50, according to Newberry County Memorial Hospital Foundation Director Brenda Williams.

The drop-in will last until 8 p.m. Friday and will be held at the Newberry Firehouse Conference Center. Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased at the hospital or at the door.

As the hospital event is happening, outside the lights for the downtown area will come alive.

The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will start in Memorial Park at 6 p.m. Friday.

The crowd will be welcomed by Newberry Mayor Foster Senn and local elementary and middle school students will sing Christmas carols to the crowd.

As carols echo through the night those in attendance will move to the downtown square where the town tree will be lit.

This year the town’s tree is getting a make over.

A group of community volunteers led by Joyce Vigus has solicited donations and gifts for new Christmas tree accessories.

The tree was purchased from a farm in North Carolina that supplies trees for the White House.

Newly purchased lights, ornaments and star have been put on the tree. There is also a place beside the tree designed to give families the opportunity to make Christmas portraits.

After the town’s lights are turned on for the first time of the season, sugar cookies and warm cider will be served.

Also during the event McKibben, Caldwell and Boyce streets will be closed to traffic but motorist will still be able to use Main Street.