Under a silvery moon, the lights glowed bright in Belmont Center Thursday night, Nov. 29, as Santa Claus hit the switch to offically signal the beginning of this holiday season.

And this year's Turn on the Town holiday and Christmas tree lighting, the 22nd edition sponsored by the Belmont Center Business Association, was one of the best attended with families and teens wandering Leonard Street partaking in the face painting, cupcakes, fried dough, free hot chocolate and a petting zoo with actual llamas.

In addition, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman greeted little ones as the Belmont High School Madrigal Singers entertained though the night as "snow" fell from the roof of the Belmont Savings Bank's garage.

But the real attraction Thursday night was old man Santa who held center stage in the lobby of the Belmont Savings Bank as families squeezed inside and waited outside in a line to wait their turn with JOSN (Jolly ol' Saint Nick).