Christmas Tree Lighting

Christmas on Main Tree Lighting

In the cozy glow of the holiday season, on Courthouse Square, Brooksville comes alive each December with a sparkle that warms every heart. The Christmas on Main Tree Lighting is more than just an event—it’s a beloved tradition that transforms downtown into a winter wonderland, drawing thousands to celebrate the holiday spirit. With its 30-foot tree ablaze with 8,000 lights, live music, and Santa’s cheerful presence, this festive evening makes the square the heartbeat of Brooksville’s community. Let’s unwrap the story of why this celebration is a cornerstone of our town’s togetherness.

Imagine it is the first Saturday in December, as the clock nears 5:00 PM. The streets around the courthouse are closed, and families stream in, bundled in festive sweaters despite Florida’s mild chill. By 7:15 PM, the crowd counts down, and the massive Christmas tree bursts into light, its scarlet trim gleaming against the historic courthouse’s white columns. Organized by Brooksville Main Street since around 2017, with roots possibly stretching back to a county-led event in 1999, this celebration has grown into Hernando County’s biggest holiday bash, with 8,000 to 9,000 folks joining in. It’s a night where Brooksville feels like a Hallmark movie, minus the snow, but brimming with charm.

This event is pure joy, with the Live Oak Theatre Company belting out “Jingle Bells,” vendors selling handmade ornaments, and Patricia’s Boutique windows coming alive with holiday magic. The square’s other monuments fade into the background as food trucks line the streets and kids line up for photos with Santa, hosted by local businesses.

The event’s history is a tale of community spirit. Some say it began in 1999, sparked by a county broadcaster named Rick, before Barbara Manuel and Brooksville Main Street took the reins, making it a downtown tradition by 2014. By 2017, it was a Main Street staple, with sponsors like Lowman Law Firm—cheekily called the “North Pole” Presenting Sponsor—fueling the magic. The event features a Christmas Craft Market, food from spots like The Ice Cream Barr, and a 16-foot-tall ornament where families snapped sleigh photos or mailed letters to Santa, a quirky touch added in 2022 by designer Mark Reichard. It’s these details that make the night unforgettable.

What makes this tree lighting so special is how it weaves into the fabric of Courthouse Square. On that first Saturday, you’ll see young ballerinas twirling on the courthouse lawn, locals singing carols with the Live Oak Theatre, and vendors hawking everything from honey to light-up toys. It’s a night for connection—grandparents might share memories of past lightings, while kids marvel at the tree’s 8,000 lights. The square becomes a stage for Brooksville’s stories, from honoring community legends like Barbara Manuel in 2023 to welcoming new faces drawn by the festive glow. Even the courthouse, usually a place of serious business, feels like a cozy backdrop for holiday cheer.

Christmas on Main Tree Lighting remains a highlight of Brooksville’s holiday season, with plans already brewing for the next holiday season. Its legacy lives on through stories in the Hernando Sun and posts on Brooksville Main Street’s Facebook, where photos of the glowing tree and smiling crowds capture the magic. It’s a tradition that faces no controversy, just pure anticipation each year, making Courthouse Square the place to be.

So, next time you’re in Brooksville, mark your calendar for the first Saturday in December. Head to Courthouse Square, count down to the tree lighting, and let the holiday spirit wash over you. Feel the warmth of the crowd, the twinkle of the lights, and the joy of a town celebrating together. That’s when you’ll understand: this event isn’t just a night of festivity; it’s the heartbeat of Brooksville, where the community shines brightest. 

Citations

Brooksville Main Street. (2024). Christmas on Main. Retrieved from https://www.welovebvl.org

Hernando Sun. (2022). Community Partners Produce Another Stunning Christmas Tree Lighting Event. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com

Hernando Sun. (2023). Brooksville Main Street’s Christmas Tree Lighting Tonight. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com

Hernando Sun. (2024). Brooksville Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities Usher in Holiday Season. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com

Hernando Sun. (n.d.). Letter to the Editor: The Origin of the First Tree Lighting in Brooksville, FL. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com

Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. (n.d.). Vote in Honor of a Vet. Retrieved from https://www.hernandovotes.gov