With faces lit by firelight as the scent of spiced cider arose in the chilled air, a crowd milled about the Homer Chamber of Commerce lawn in anticipation of the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, held last Thursday, Dec. 4.
Under a green canopy, event volunteers prepared hot cocoa and cider, as well as s’mores cups — ostensibly for the kids, but enjoyed by all — brought to attendees by the Homer Electric Association. The KP Brass Band warmed up in the next tent, and inside the chamber building, children piled around a table for holiday-themed crafts.
At last, the highly-anticipated moment arrived with cheerful aplomb from chamber vice president Jim Anderson and executive director Brad Anderson, who thanked the community for coming out and event sponsors for helping to make the annual tree lighting happen.
Homer Mayor Rachel Lord received the honor of lighting the tree this year, with assistance from her daughter, Sadie, who Lord said has been attending the holiday tree lighting celebration “since she was as small as many of these kiddos here tonight.”
“Thanks to the chamber for hosting this event for so many years … Merry Christmas, happy solstice — my favorite day of the year, because then it just gets lighter from then on. We’re so close,” Lord said. “Thanks to everybody who lights up this town with all of your different houses and businesses that have lights — we’re going to light this tree and then enjoy some music and community.”
Cheers arose from the gathered crowd as the multicolored lights strung upon the tall tree behind the chamber flicked on, and then the air was filled with music as the KP Brass Band played holiday and popular favorites. Inside the chamber building, members of the Homer High School choir sang carols for community members filtering in for a break from the cold.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived shortly after, brought in on a festively-bedecked Homer Volunteer Fire Department truck, and took their places in the sleigh parked beneath the Christmas tree.
On Saturday in Anchor Point, frigid high winds surprisingly did not deter community members from turning out to share their own festive spirit. Nearly a dozen cars lined up in the Alaska State Trooper station parking lot to watch the lighting of the towering Christmas tree across the street, next to Thurmond’s Far West Auto. A few families braved the blustery cold to see the tree light up, and their cheers were accompanied by honks from the other cars once the lights came on.
Afterwards, community members headed to the Virl “Pa” Haga VFW Post 10221 to continue the festivities with a hot cocoa and cookie social, complete with additional holiday lights and decorations and a visit from Santa.
See more from the Homer tree lighting on the Homer Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Members of the Homer High School choir sing carols for community members attending the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Homer Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer area youth complete holiday crafts inside the Homer Chamber of Commerce during the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Santa arrives to the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Homer Chamber of Commerce atop a Homer Volunteer Fire Department fire truck on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kids dance to music played by the KP Brass Band during the holiday tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The KP Brass Band plays holiday favorites for the crowd gathered at the Homer Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Homer, Alaska, for the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Families and community members attending the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony cheer as the large Christmas tree is lit on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Christmas tree behind the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is lit on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, during the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony sponsored by the chamber in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
