A Darien tradition for almost 40 years, the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place behind the Darien Sports Shop starting at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29.
Mr. Z — store founder Stephen Zangrillo, who also started the annual tree lighting event — passed away earlier this year, “however, we will still have a special tribute to the man who made this magic happen for so many years,” Darien Sports Shop said in an announcement. Mr. Z will be honored with a light show after Santa arrives.
The Darien Community Band will start playing at 4:30 p.m., and Santa arrives at 5 p.m. to light the tree. Darien Sport Shop is located at 1127 Post Road, and the tree lighting is in the parking lot in the back.