Palmerton’s Christmas in the Park has always lent itself to that trademark moment in which the community would band together during the holiday season.

While there won’t be any mass gatherings in the borough park this time around, that doesn’t make this year’s event any less significant than any of its previous incarnations.

The eighth annual event will take place Dec. 5 and will feature 153 trees that will be lit in the park around dusk, according to Michele O’Neill, chairwoman of the Christmas in the Park Committee.

“They will just go on with timers,” O’Neill said. “We can easily social distance, take a leisurely stroll and enjoy when they feel comfortable being out without having to worry about being out in crowds.”

As an added bonus, O’Neill said Santa will still be arriving by firetruck and driven throughout town between 1-3 p.m. Dec. 5 for children to wave to, though the exact route is still being worked on.

O’Neill said the trees will come from Yenser’s Tree Farm in Lehighton, and noted all the trees have already been adopted for this year’s event.

“We’re looking forward to some beautiful blue spruce trees lining our walkways,” she said. “We need the trees this year.”

O’Neill noted that while this year’s event will be different with not having the actual festival, she’s extremely impressed by all the community involvement to ensure the event will still take place.

“In years past, we had our hallmark moment of our festival where everybody can come together, do a little shopping, enjoy some food, and enjoy the holiday as a community,” she said. “The festival will be back next year.”