Families christened their winter hats and gloves at the downtown holiday tree lighting event Saturday.

The chilly but clear skies brought hundreds to the annual celebration, which was highlighted by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, who arrived by way of fire engine.

“It’s nice weather,” said Bob Moore, father of three. “It’s nice to have the community get together like this.”

Two hours before the celebration Dickens’ carolers strolled along South Third Street, and volunteers roasted chestnuts and passed out hot cider.

A Salvation Army brass band played on a street corner, before a performance at the piazza.

While some heard word about the event early, others saw the festivities and an overabundance of Christmas lights decorating the piazza before joining in.

“I didn’t know there was going to be this many people,” said Renton’s Shantel Jacoway, who attended the festival for the first time this year.

With the help of two children, Mayor Denis Law flipped a ceremonial switch which lit the Renton Piazza’s largest evergreen tree, and bands began to play their Christmas tunes.

The Renton Piazza and Downtown Renton groups organized the events with some help of a City of Renton neighborhoods grant. It’s one of the city’s many family events organized annually.

“It seems to be getting better every year,” Moore said.