Activate Church is holding the 10th Christmas in the Park event at Esther Short Park

Thousands are expected to celebrate the Christmas season at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver on Friday night.

It’s the 10-year anniversary of Christmas in the Park, presented by Activate Church.

Activate has been serving the region of greater Vancouver each year by giving away more than 200 Christmas trees. 

This year’s free event at Esther Short Park, which will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will also include hot chocolate, cookie-making, free outerwear, music, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

This year, The Dream Center, a non-profit community outreach mission of Activate, is presenting the first Toy Drive. More than 500 toys have been collected for the giveaway, allowing children to receive a gift to have under the tree.

Isaac and Kari Maddox, founders and pastors of Activate, have always had a vision to heal the needy and broken-hearted in the city of Vancouver. 

“We believe Christmas in the Park is a way to bless the city and celebrate the birth of Christ as we continue each year to do more for the community and make this the most incredible Christmas memory of the year,” Isaac Maddox said in a press release.

It is estimated that more 5,000 people attended last year’s Christmas in the Park. More than 200 volunteers help put on the event. Sponsors donate a total of $20,000 to pay for the event.

Activate was founded in 2011. It is based in Camas/Washougal and has more than 1,400 members.