Carols ring across Beacon Hill as Christmas tree lights shine

By Beth Treffeisen | December 1, 2015, 22:17 EST

BOSTON – Christmas carols filled the State House halls Tuesday before Santa Claus rode a red “sleigh” (actually a Boston Fire Department ladder truck – but at least it was red) to light the official Christmas tree out on the west lawn. The Boston Children’s Choir lifted the mood with traditional holiday songs as the Everett High School’s marching band played from the capitol’s balcony. Santa used his perch to set the tree, a 22-foot white fir supplied by Stoneham’s Maltby & Co., ablaze with lights.