Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

Last night, 4-year-old Akeelah Freeman of Bed-Stuy joined Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and other elected officials for the annual lighting of Brooklyn's Christmas Tree at Borough Hall.

Markowitz threw the switch and illuminated the 40-foot-tall balsam fir Christmas tree, which Time Out New York has hailed as one of the City’s trees “worth seeking out on a cold winter’s night.”

Free holiday cookies and warm drinks were handed out to all that attended. And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a special guest appearance from Santa himself.

The tree will remain lighted through the holidays into early next year.