Neither rain nor dark of night could stop the lighting of the Sundance Square Christmas Tree in downtown Fort Worth.

Hundreds of people refused to let a little precipitation dampen their spirits as Sundance Square kicked off the holidays Nov. 22 with the lighting of the Sundance Square Christmas Tree on the plaza in downtown Fort Worth. WFAA-TV Chief Meteorologist Pete Delkus was joined by Santa Claus in a festive countdown that culminated in a dazzling display of twinkling lights reflecting across the Plaza.  

The 58-foot-tall blue spruce tree from Everett, Michigan was decorated with LED lights that are 100 percent offset with pollution-free Texas wind power from Sundance Square's energy partner, Green Mountain Energy Company. This is the sixth year that Sundance Square has committed to being “green,” including using LED lights and offsetting the emissions from the tree with Green Mountain, which has the environmental impact of taking a car off the road for nearly 22,000 miles...or the equivalent of about five trips from Fort Worth, Texas to the North Pole.

"Celebrating the holidays in Sundance Square with family and friends is a great tradition," said Tracy Gilmour, Sundance Square marketing director. "Sundance Square will be bustling throughout the holiday season with entertainment and unique shopping and dining opportunities."

Santa's workshop is offering holiday photo opportunities for families. Three candy-theme sculpted elements are a great spot for children to explore and have a family photo taken as kids wait to see Santa Claus. Holiday keepsake photos with Santa are only $10 each (cash only) with the proceeds benefiting a scholarship fund established by the Fort Worth Sister Cities' Youth Scholarships. Santa will be in Sundance Square through December 23. Check www.sundancesquare.com for specific times.

The 32nd Annual XTO Energy Parade of Lights will start at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 at Belknap and Throckmorton in downtown Fort Worth. Cowboy Santas volunteers will collect new, unwrapped toys along the parade route before the parade begins.

Holiday fun will continue in Sundance Square with the opening of The Cheesecake Factory on December 9 at Commerce and 4th Streets. Sundance Square also recently announced Overland Sheepskin Company will be opening its first Texas store in time for the Christmas shopping season.

New Year's Eve festivities in Sundance Square include Luke Wade, a current contender on NBC's seventh season of The Voice, as the headliner with the Indie-Folk Americana Duo Dawn and Hawkes scheduled to open from the Plaza Stage beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year. The one-acre outdoor plaza, which opened in late 2013, features new restaurants, shops, water features, stage, four 32-foot umbrellas, and covered seating. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the multi-use development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare.