The city of Garland lights its Christmas tree Thursday evening, and the event has returned to Downtown Garland Square for the first time in three years.
The city moved the past two Christmas trees to Firewheel Town Center because of construction.
"When we had it before, it was really good and then it was nothing at Christmas," said Shirley Thurman, the owner of Rowlett Florist, a business on the square. "But now, it's back, and we're excited."
Thurman said she may have lost business during construction, but the work done around the square is now helping bring more people downtown.
"This is something we've planned for and wanted," Thurman said. "This is an exciting time for us."
The tree lighting is scheduled for 6:30 in the evening, but music starts at 5:30 and bands and games continue until 8:30.
A complete schedule and list of activities is available at Garland Christmas.
People can get their picture taken with a reindeer, go sledding down a snow hill and go ice skating.
"It's great on the square," one woman stopping by with her family said. "We're excited for the tree lighting."
"It is amazing to be back downtown," another said. "We love the setup."
Visitors say they are glad the event has returned downtown, saying they can visit businesses they may not have seen when construction made them hard to reach. They state that the square is helping Garland maintain the atmosphere of a small town.
"It feels like back home again, a small town feel," a mom walking with her kids said.
Garland urges people to use the DART Blue Line to reach downtown. Parking options can be found here.
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