Boston’s annual Christmas tree lighting on the Common is tonight

Bostonians are invited to gather for the city’s traditional Christmas tree lighting on the Boston Common.

The 83rd annual Boston Common Christmas tree lighting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.

The ceremony will be held next to the Visitor’s Information Center on the Common, at 139 Tremont St.

This year’s tree is a 45-foot white spruce from Nova Scotia. The tree was driven down from the rural community of Mattie Settlement in Antigonish County the week of Thanksgiving. This is the 53rd year that Boston’s tree came from Nova Scotia.

The tree, along with its surrounding lights in the Boston Common and Public Garden, will light up just before 8 p.m. when Mayor Michelle Wu flips the switch alongside Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The event will feature giveaways and refreshments from JetBlue, H.P. Hood, New England Coffee, Harry Potter, The Exhibition and Raising Cane’s, while supplies last.

Popular band American Authors, which got its start in Boston at Berklee College of Music, will also play hits like “Best Day of My Life” and “Christmas Karaoke” for attendees.

There will also be performances from Halifax pop singer-songwriter Ria Mae, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, folk artist and fiddler Morgan Toney, jazz and gospel singer Renese King and Boston Children’s Chorus.

The event is free and open to the public. The Christmas tree lighting will also air live on WCVB starting at 7 p.m.