The Whaling City will become Christmas tree central when New London lights up its Christmas tree on Friday.

In addition to the lighting, there will be performances of carols by the Symphony Chorus, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of New London Children’s Latino Choir, and The New London Arts Magnet Pathway Chorus.

Helping, ahem, ring in the season will also be the Shoreline Ringers.

How could a holiday event like this possibly NOT draw Santa Claus? So of course the jolly old elf will there, coming down Bank Street in an illuminated Jeep. After the tree lighting, he’ll pose for photos at The Golden Owl at 19 Golden St.

Lighting the tree will be Kiana Foster-Mauro, Connecticut’s 2024 Teacher of the Year who teaches fourth grade at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London.

This year, the tree will have refreshed ornaments. Barbara Neff, owner of Neff Productions, brought in local artist Kat Murphy to rewire and apply a base layer to old ornaments. They then recruited local artists, and the result is 50 ornaments newly painted by 36 artists.

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program will be on hand. Members of the public can get an Angel Tree tag with details about a child’s gender, age, clothing sizes, and Christmas wish list. Participants can choose a child to shop for and return the gifts with the tag to the Salvation Army, which will pass the presents along.

New London Christmas Tree Lighting, 5-6 p.m. Friday, Parade Plaza, intersection of State and Bank streets, New London.