Washington Monument lighting

( Gabe Dinsmoor, The Baltimore Sun / November 21, 2011 )

Holiday season isn't official until the switch is thrown and the Washington Monument lights up like a giant stone Christmas tree. This year is the event's 40th anniversary, and the Baltimore City College Choir and the Institute of Notre Dame Select Choir will help usher in the occasion. People from all parts of the city and beyond pour into Mount Vernon Place to watch the fireworks and fend off the cold with cups of hot chocolate and warm apple cider. You'll leave feeling like a real Baltimorean.

Pre-event festivities start at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1, the ceremony starts at 7 p.m. and the lighting is at approximately 7:45 p.m. in the 600-700 block of N. Charles St. Call 1-877-225-8466 or go to bop.org.