Photos: Renton kicks off the holiday season with Small Business Saturday, Christmas tree lighting

Downtown Renton was bustling as people took advantage of sales and enjoyed some yuletide entertainment.

By Bailey Josie • December 1, 2022 1:30 am
Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. A large crowd gathered in Piazza Park at 5 p.m. for the Tree Lighting.
Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. A large crowd gathered in Piazza Park at 5 p.m. for the Tree Lighting.

Renton’s Small Business Saturday and Downtown Tree Lighting (with the arrival of Santa Claus) was a hit as folks came out to buys gifts from the city’s small businesses and vendors and kick off the holiday season. From when the businesses opened at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the people of Renton were enjoyed live music, dance performances, the Renton Holiday Farmers Market and a scavenger hunt with small, plush versions of Erasmus the Renton Dragon. To cap off the day, people gathered for pictures with Santa Claus and lighting of the Christmas tree in Piazza Park.

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. To kick off the holiday festivities, young dance students showed off their skills with yuletide attire and Christmas music.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. To kick off the holiday festivities, young dance students showed off their skills with yuletide attire and Christmas music.

Divina of Depress Me Not Candles is all smiles during Renton's Small Business Saturday. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. To kick off the holiday festivities, young dance students showed off their skills with yuletide attire and Christmas music.

Leading up to Santa Claus' arrival, his festive chair stayed empty in the Renton Pavilion Event Center. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. To kick off the holiday festivities, young dance students showed off their skills with yuletide attire and Christmas music.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Face painting was a popular booth for kids to visit as they waited for Santa.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Face painting was a popular booth for kids to visit as they waited for Santa.

Dance students performed to modern folk and Christmas songs in the Renton Pavilion Event Center. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Face painting was a popular booth for kids to visit as they waited for Santa.

As soon as the Christmas tree was lit, children ran beneath the tree to play under the lights. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Face painting was a popular booth for kids to visit as they waited for Santa.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Part of Renton’s downtown fun was the Holiday Scavenger Hunt, where kids and adults alike were encouraged to find the 12 hidden green dragons throughout the city’s businesses. Those who collected all 12 stamps were eligible to get a free mini-cupcake or small hot cocoa from Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes on 3rd Street.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Part of Renton’s downtown fun was the Holiday Scavenger Hunt, where kids and adults alike were encouraged to find the 12 hidden green dragons throughout the city’s businesses. Those who collected all 12 stamps were eligible to get a free mini-cupcake or small hot cocoa from Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes on 3rd Street.

Two boys pose for a photo under the Renton Christmas tree in Piazza Park. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Part of Renton’s downtown fun was the Holiday Scavenger Hunt, where kids and adults alike were encouraged to find the 12 hidden green dragons throughout the city’s businesses. Those who collected all 12 stamps were eligible to get a free mini-cupcake or small hot cocoa from Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes on 3rd Street.

A large Christmas bear was available at the Renton Pavilion Center for photos and cuddles. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Part of Renton’s downtown fun was the Holiday Scavenger Hunt, where kids and adults alike were encouraged to find the 12 hidden green dragons throughout the city’s businesses. Those who collected all 12 stamps were eligible to get a free mini-cupcake or small hot cocoa from Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes on 3rd Street.

Kids were given the opportunity to sit on Santa's lap, tell him their Christmas wish list and take pictures. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Part of Renton’s downtown fun was the Holiday Scavenger Hunt, where kids and adults alike were encouraged to find the 12 hidden green dragons throughout the city’s businesses. Those who collected all 12 stamps were eligible to get a free mini-cupcake or small hot cocoa from Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes on 3rd Street.

Santa listens intently as one girl tells him what she wants for Christmas. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing. Part of Renton’s downtown fun was the Holiday Scavenger Hunt, where kids and adults alike were encouraged to find the 12 hidden green dragons throughout the city’s businesses. Those who collected all 12 stamps were eligible to get a free mini-cupcake or small hot cocoa from Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes on 3rd Street.