A busy market square in Swift Current last night for the annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting.

Hundreds gathered around the square to enjoy the festivities hosted by the City that included sleigh rides, hot chocolate, Christmas carols, a live performance by the École Centennial School Choir, and the Christmas tree being lit.

Swift Current Mayor Denis Perrault said it's a great event for the City to be involved with.

"It's like you're turning on the season, you're pressing start for the holiday season and for the Christmas season," he said. "It's just an extremely well-attended event, not just from kids, but from parents and grandparents, that this is something very important to them, to start that Christmas season."

Perrault spent the evening helping Santa as his elf alongside Perrault's son Luc who was dressed as a tin soldier. Perrault said at one point the lineup to meet Santa travelled as far back as the post office.

"Hearts are definitely full at that point (seeing Santa)," he explained. "We got a chance to see every little boy and girl that was lined up and their faces just light up when it was their chance to come and sit on Santa's lap."

Many of the children that got to meet Santa brought him their Christmas wish lists along with some presents as well.

The mayor, who's attended the event since 2009, said he believes that last night gathering was the largest he's seen.