Roswell Christmas tree lighting 2026: Dec. 4 at Heart of Roswell Park

Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. Facts come from the City of Roswell’s 2026 tree lighting listing on Roswell365, the city’s events site, and its 2025 listing for road closures. This page is updated each year at the same address.

Roswell lights its 40-foot Christmas tree at Heart of Roswell Park, 925 Canton St., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening brings choral performances, hot chocolate, fire pits and s’mores, a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Mayor Mary Robichaux and a visit from Santa Claus, before the tree is lit. It is free and open to the public, the city says.

Know before you go

• When: Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Where: Heart of Roswell Park, 925 Canton St., in Historic Downtown Roswell
• Cost: free
• Expected closures (based on 2025): Canton Street from Norcross Street to Magnolia Street from 5 p.m.; Elizabeth Way from 2 p.m.
• Organizer: City of Roswell Special Events, specialevents@roswellgov.com

What happens

The tree lighting is one of the city’s own signature events. The city lists the program as:

• choral performances
• hot chocolate
• fire pits and s’mores
• a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by the mayor
• a visit from Santa Claus
• the lighting of the 40-foot tree at the center of Heart of Roswell Park

Last year the city put Santa’s arrival at about 7 to 7:30 p.m., noting that the time depends on the program and can change. The 2026 listing does not give a time yet.

The city’s special events sponsorship packet puts attendance at more than 5,000, mostly families.

Road closures

The 2026 listing does not yet show closures. In 2025, the city closed:

• Canton Street between Norcross Street and Magnolia Street from 5 p.m., “similar to Alive in Roswell,” so the celebration spills into the downtown shops and restaurants.
• Elizabeth Way from 2 p.m.

We will update this page if the city posts different closures for 2026.

Parking

Heart of Roswell Park sits on Canton Street in the middle of the historic district, where parking is tight. For downtown events the city points people to the free public parking at Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St., and to its downtown parking page. The lots and trolley stop the city uses for Alive in Roswell are the same short walk from the park. Arrive early: the street closes at 5 p.m., an hour before the program starts.

Tips

• Dress for the evening: the event is held after dark in December.
• Canton Street restaurants are open, so you can make a night of it.
• The event is free, so there are no tickets to buy and no registration.

Past dates

In each of the past three years the lighting has fallen on the first Friday of December, according to the city.s listings.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Roswell Christmas tree lighting in 2026? Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Heart of Roswell Park, 925 Canton St.

Is the Roswell tree lighting free? Yes. The City of Roswell says the event is free and open to the public.

What time does Santa arrive at the Roswell tree lighting? Last year the city estimated Santa’s arrival between 7 and 7:30 p.m., depending on the program. The 2026 time has not been posted yet.

Is Canton Street closed for the tree lighting? Last year the city closed Canton Street between Norcross Street and Magnolia Street from 5 p.m., and Elizabeth Way from 2 p.m. Expect the same in 2026 unless the city says otherwise.

What this means for you

• Put Friday, Dec. 4, in the calendar; it is free and needs no sign-up.
• If you drive through downtown that afternoon, expect Canton Street to close at 5 p.m.
• Park at City Hall and walk over.

Related: Alive in Roswell, Youth Day parade and things to do in Roswell this weekend.