WASHINGTON (7News) — Christmas is right around the corner, and watching a neighborhood tree lighting is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with your community. In between gift shopping and hanging your stockings with care, here are some Christmas tree lighting events across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland to check out this year.

Thousands are expected to pack into Campus Martius Park Friday evening for the unofficial start to the holidays in downtown Detroit for the 21st annual Detroit Tree Lighting, and it will go on from 7 to 9 p.

Michigan Avenue got a whole lot merrier on Friday night. Mayor Brandon Johnson was among the onstage VIPs as thousands of gathered onlookers stood shoulder to shoulder in crowds that stretched down Michigan Avenue at Millennium Park for the lighting of Chicago’s official Christmas tree.