Thanks to the ongoing partnership with the Shelby Township Downtown Development Authority and the Parks and Recreation Department, Shelby Township's biggest Christmas event and tradition, the annual Christmas Aglow and tree lighting, will be brighter than ever this year.

The Aglow takes place at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 on the Shelby Township Civic Center Campus at 52700 Van Dyke Ave., where the community lights its 40-foot Christmas tree and welcomes Santa Claus, where he makes his first stop to greet the township as the night sky will come alive with the a dance of lights from high-flying drones.

Before the grand tree lighting, Shelby TV will usher in the holiday spirit with its traditional stage show. Attendees can savor the atmosphere with horse-drawn wagon rides, meet and greet with a real reindeer outside the library, sip on hot cocoa, roast marshmallows, stop by the Kris Kringle craft tent, check out the "Holiday Express" train display and enjoy holiday melodies courtesy of the Utica High School choir.

After lighting the tree, visitors can head into the library for free photos with Santa Claus until 8:30 p.m.