ASTORIA — Downtown holiday lights will switch on for the season during a ceremony organized by the Astoria Christmas Club at 5 p.m. Saturday outside the Liberty Theatre.

The event will include a speech by Mayor Sean Fitzpatrick, costumed carolers from the upcoming show “Decked!” which opens Dec. 6 at the Ten Fifteen Theater and a guest musical appearance by Blind Pilot.

A countdown will be given ahead of the lighting of Astoria’s holiday tree. Free cookies and cocoa will be provided by Sun Bean Coffee Co.

Santa Claus will make an appearance on an Astoria Fire Department truck to announce a raffle winner from this year’s Shop Plaid holiday campaign, a local alternative to Black Friday.