Join Mayor Mike Houston, city leaders, Land of Lincoln Chorus and others at the lighting of the downtown holiday tree Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. on the Old Capitol Plaza, Sixth and Adams. The ceremony kicks off the Old Capitol Holiday Walks, evenings in charming downtown offering a winter wonderland of shopping, entertainment, displays, horse-drawn trolley rides, prizes, specials, a Santa House for the kids and more. Historical sites such as the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office and the Old State Capitol will also have activities. Meter parking downtown is free after 5 p.m. The underground garage under the Old State Capitol will be open until 9 p.m. and costs 75 cents per half hour. The walk is presented by St. John’s Children’s Hospital in partnership with Downtown Springfield, Inc. and the City of Springfield.