Mayor Charles Meeker will throw the switch on 40,000 lights at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, officially bringing the holiday season to Downtown Raleigh. 

Ron Day, chair of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) will join Mayor Meeker in front of the RBC Tower at 301 Fayetteville St. This is the third annual holiday lighting event for Fayetteville Street that comes complete with Victorian Carolers and free horse-drawn carriage rides. 

The event is produced by DRA with RBC Bank and Pointer Spruill serving as sponsors.

The Christmas tree on the grounds of the State Capitol will be lighted at 6:00 p.m.