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Six-year-old Eily, left, and 4-year-old Emma Grant sport matching Christmas glasses during the Auburn Christmas parade and tree lighting Sunday in Auburn.
Hudson, 3, freshly fueled by a cake ball, wades through snow Sunday during the Christmas parade and tree lighting at Festival Plaza in Auburn. The event culminated with Santa’s arrival to the plaza and a countdown to the lights being turned on.
Jeffrey, 8, writes a letter to Santa asking for a new TV during the Christmas parade and tree lighting Sunday at Festival Plaza in Auburn. He came with his mother, and alongside his brother Noah, who asked Santa for a helicopter: a toy or a full-size one, either would work.
Josephine “Jojo” Higgins, 4, slides down a snowbank Sunday during the Christmas parade and tree lighting event at Festival Plaza in Auburn. Kids were creative in their wait for Santa to come down Main Street.
Children sip cocoa Sunday while watching the Christmas parade from Main Street in Auburn. The parade brought Santa to Festival Plaza for a tree lighting.
Theodore Whitney, held by mom Courtney and next to dad Trevor Whitney, watch the Christmas parade from Main Street on Sunday in Auburn. The parade brought Santa to Festival Plaza for a tree lighting.
Santa waves to parade attendees Sunday during the Christmas parade in Auburn. The guest of honor helped count down the tree lighting at Festival Plaza alongside Auburn Mayor Jeffrey Harmon.
A child in a Santa suit waves to the big man himself Sunday as he makes his way down Main Street in Auburn. Once Santa made it to Festival Plaza, the Christmas tree lighting was held.
People watch the Christmas parade from Main Street on Sunday in Auburn while young children hurry to get in line for Santa. The parade brought Santa to Festival Plaza for the city’s tree-lighting countdown. (Libby Kamrowski Kenny/Staff Photographer)
Santa helps with the tree-lighting countdown Sunday as part of the Christmas parade and lighting ceremony at Festival Plaza in Auburn.
Children shout along with Santa as they count down to the tree lighting Sunday at Festival Plaza in Auburn.
Ben Johnston flings snow off his coat Sunday while jumping up in front of the just-lit Christmas tree at Festival Plaza in Auburn. He said he hoped his excitement would help the kids feel the same.
Amaiyalah Adams, left, and Ellie Favreau meet Santa during the Christmas parade and tree lighting Sunday at Festival Plaza in Auburn. Attendees were able to meet with Santa and take pictures for free.
Anjeleena, left, and Mariana Albert-Preston pose for a photo Sunday during Auburn’s tree lighting Sunday at Festival Plaza.
Sebastian Estes sticks his face through a Christmas figure cutout following Auburn’s tree lighting Sunday at Festival Plaza.
Auburn’s Christmas tree is seen from the Longley Bridge following a parade and tree lighting Sunday at Festival Plaza.

Libby Kamrowski Kenny is a staff photographer at the Sun Journal who came aboard in June 2025. She’s been in journalism longer than that though, as her prematurely graying hair can attest, starting as...