St. Cloud Hospital lights up Dec. 7

The 29th annual Festival of Lights is from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, in front of St. Cloud Hospital, 1406 Sixth Ave. N. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Food Shelf.

In addition to the traditional holiday lighting ceremony at 7 p.m., there will be horse-drawn trolley rides, reindeer, holiday carols by the Tech High School Chamber Choir, a living nativity presented by Messiah Lutheran Church of Sartell, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as cookies and cocoa. The Gorecki Guest House, across the street from the hospital, also will light up thanks to Emerald Companies Inc.

Stop by the St. Cloud Hospital Gift Gallery for its annual holiday sale from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7. Merchandise will be 20 percent off storewide; some exclusions apply.