By Nuha Khan

It’s officially beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

This year, the Toronto Eaton Centre’s Christmas tree was lit up by professional tennis player and U.S Open Champion Bianca Andreescu, on Nov. 14. In the mall, hundreds of people gathered to witness the official kick off of the holiday season.

Before the event began, staff members began preparing the stage as shoppers waited for Bianca Andreescu’s arrival and the 108-foot tree to be lit.

Approximately two hours prior to the event, guests began searching for the perfect spot to view the tree and stage where Andreescu would stand.

4Korners, the official DJ for the Toronto Raptors, blasted some holiday tunes such as Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and a remixed version of the classic “Last Christmas” by Wham! 

The guest of honour made her first appearance on stage as the crowd pulled out their phones to capture it all. 

Andreescu waves to the crowd after Santa Claus made a surprise appearance on stage. The tennis champion announced that Starbucks, the presenter of the ceremony, will be giving out free reusable holiday cups to the guests at the end of the evening. 

At 6:30 p.m. the crowd begins to countdown the commencement of the Christmas tree lighting. 

While the lighting commences, Andreescu greets a couple of fans in the audience and reaches out to sign posters and tennis balls.

The Christmas tree shines at the conclusion of the 2019 lighting ceremony in the Eaton Centre.

All images were taken by Nuha Khan