Blackburn College on Thursday, November 30 will kick off the holiday season and illuminate Carlinville with Blackburn College's third annual Tree of Lights. The tree, decorated with more than 50,000 lights donated by Ace Hardware, will be on display through the holiday season. The festivities will begin at 5:30pm in front of historic Hudson Hall on the campus. The Tree of Lights ceremony is an event for the whole family and is free and open to the public.

During the festivities visitors can enjoy carols performed by the Blackburn Voices ensemble and hot cocoa and other refreshments.