Christmas lights will shine bright Friday evening at Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s annual Celebration of Lights.

The holiday tradition, which honors those who are fighting or have fought cancer, will be held Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Forsyth County location off Ronald Reagan Boulevard.

The event brings together thousands of families and includes entertainment from local schools and groups, photos with Santa Claus and kid’s activities.

Choral groups from Vickery Creek Middle School and Lakeside Middle School Chorus will sing at the celebration and Coal Mountain Elementary School, Sole Impulse Dance Studio, Renaissance International School of the Performing Arts, Dance Now and Sawnee Ballet, as well as others, will perform.

The hospital boasts 48,000 lights on three Christmas trees in Cumming, Alpharetta and Sandy Springs. Lights can be purchased and designated in honor or memory of family, friends and doctors.

The proceeds go towards the hospital’s foundation fund, which supports cancer patients at Northside.

It is also used to “expand the programs and services available to help [patients] beat their diagnosis.”

“The Northside Hospital Foundation has honored those affected by cancer and we are so pleased and proud of all the people who support Celebration of Lights and our efforts to bring hope to those affected by cancer,” said Freda Hardage, director of the foundation. “Our Foundation and our hospital are committed to increasing access, expanding programs and broadening services to all our cancer patients and survivors.”

Since the hospital’s first celebration in 1989, it has raised more than $550,000.

Thyroid cancer survivor and Cumming resident Eddie Gaitan will light the 60-foot Christmas tree. He volunteers at the hospital and is a member of the American Cancer Society.

Northside-Forsyth administrator Lynn Jackson said she is looking forward to the celebration, especially with the hospital’s three new floors.

“The families who look forward to Celebration of Lights each year will be in for a special treat this year,” she said. “With the additional floors added to our campus, the tree will shine even brighter this holiday season and hopefully bring hope, promise and healing to those affected by cancer.”

Lights can be purchased through Dec. 31 online at give.northside.com/lights and more information can be found at northside.com/col.