Thursday night, people gathered to kick off the holiday season in Rosslyn at Light Up Rosslyn.

Music from the Beltway Brass Quintet and Snowday set the festive mood as people mingled, ate chili and drank hot chocolate from nearby Santa Fe Cafe and cookies and cider provided by Monday Properties. The evening was hosted by NewsChannel 8 Anchor Morris Jones.

At 6:30 p.m., Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman flipped the oversized light switch with the help of Rosslyn Business Improvement District President Peter Greenwald; the BID's executive director, Cecilia Cassidy; Kathy Sibert, executive director of the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, or A-SPAN; and Artisphere Executive Director Jose Ortiz.

Light Up Rosslyn also served as the final collection point for a winter clothing drive. A-SPAN will distribute the warm items.

"We get to change peoples lives in these weeks leadind up to Light Up Rosslyn with the closing drive," Sibert said.