The holidays come but once a year, so let’s get together to spread some cheer as The Domain hosts its 8^th Annual Lighting of The Great Tree on Saturday, November 22.

The Domain’s Lighting of The Great Tree is a day packed with free holiday entertainment beginning at noon on the new lawn area in The Domain II Plaza.  Family-friendly activities will include children’s holiday music, face painting, caricature drawings, balloon twisting and holiday crafts. Many stores will also offer special in-store events and discounts throughout the day.

The 40-foot tree, featuring more than 6,000 twinkling lights and 400 ornaments in a variety of colors, will light up the shopping center during the annual tree-lighting show at 6 p.m. The holiday event will feature a dynamic performance by ACM singer and songwriter, Sunny Sweeney, and Outside Voices, a local children’s choir.  The evening will culminate with the lighting of the tree and a fireworks show.

Headlining the event, Sunny Sweeney will perform favorite holiday hits in addition to a few of her most popular songs before lighting the tree. Her debut album, Heartbreaker’s Hall of Fame, produced a trio of regional hits – “If I Could”, “Ten Years Pass” and “East Texas Pines” – and allowed her to begin touring outside of Texas, throughout the United States and in Europe. In June 2010, the lead-off to her second studio album, “From a Table Away,” became a Top 10 hit.  Sweeney released her latest album “Provoked” this August.

The holiday celebration will also feature a special performance by Outside Voices, a vocal performance group founded in 2009. Outside Voices is open to all Austin and surrounding area youth with performers ranging in age from K-12th grades. The group is dedicated to carrying the message of grace and love through their performances and service work.

Once again this year, The Domain will invite an honorary tree lighter to participate in the event. In partnership with Any Baby Can and their Candlelighters Program, which supports families with children battling cancer, The Domain will introduce the audience to Any Baby Can through Kaylee Gonzalez’s story. Kaylee will then join Santa Claus on stage to light the tree and share in the magical moment.

“We are thrilled to have Sunny Sweeney headline this year’s event as we know her performance is sure to be a draw,” said Lauren Krumlauf, Area Director of Marketing at The Domain. “We invite the community to continue the tradition of beginning the holiday season at The Domain as we celebrate with free family-friendly entertainment, live music, lights and fireworks.”

Following the tree lighting, local musical artists will perform on the stage near Starbucks. Strolling carolers and larger-than-life stilt walking toy soldiers will change the sights and sounds of The Domain and spread holiday cheer around the center.  Attendees are also invited to enjoy marshmallow roasting in The Park.

All of these holiday activities, combined with the outstanding selection of stores offered at The Domain, create a lasting impression and unique social experience for the community to come together and celebrate.

The Domain Lighting of The Great Tree is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (512) 873-8099, or visit www.TheDomainInAustin.com. Area shoppers looking for the latest deals, contests and event information can also visit www.facebook.com/TheDomainAustin, www.twitter.com/TheDomainAustin or www.instagram.com/TheDomainAustin.