Updated: November 28, 2021 Published: November 28, 2021
Steam comes up from Santa Claus and one of his elves on a cold holiday tree lighting ceremony in Town Square Park in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
A few hundred people braved the cold on Saturday night to watch Santa Claus help Mayor Dave Bronson light the holiday tree in Town Square Park.
The tree lighting ceremony, organized by the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, was one part of a larger “Light Up Downtown” event spread out through downtown this year to increase physical distancing because of the pandemic.
Dave Smith, from Florissant, CO, holds his hands up to a heater during the holiday tree lighting ceremony in Town Square Park in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
Andre and Walter Demientieff and Destiny Ilano have their photo taken with a reindeer after the holiday tree lighting ceremony in Town Square Park in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
Santa Claus reacts to a request for a bearded dragon as Nadya, Kateri, Vincent and Darien Everard visit him at Peratrovich Park after the holiday tree lighting ceremony in Town Square Park in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
Santa Claus helped Mayor Dave Bronson light the holiday tree in Town Square Park in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
The Underground Dance Company performs during the holiday tree lighting ceremony in Town Square Park in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
William Starnes and Dresu Seater get friendly with llamas while having their photos made with Santa at the 49th State Brewing Company in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
Santa Claus and some of his elves walk to Peratrovich Park after the holiday tree lighting ceremony in Town Square Park in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. Santa visited with children at the park. (Bob Hallinen Photo)
Bob Hallinen
Bob Hallinen has been a photojournalist in Alaska since the 1980s and has traveled extensively all over the state. He retired from the ADN in November 2018 after 33 years at the newspaper.
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