Yokota community rings in holiday season

Students from the Yokota Middle School choir perform during a holiday cantata in the main chapel at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The event preceded the annual tree lighting ceremony and marked the official start of the holiday season for the on-base community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

Members of the Yokota Chapel choir perform in the main chapel at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The chapel hosted a holiday cantata and tree lighting ceremony to celebrate the holiday season with the on-base community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

Attendees watch a choir performance during a holiday cantata in the main chapel at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. Families gathered at the chapel to listen to Christmas carols and witness the tree lighting ceremony, coming together as a community to celebrate the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

Members of a handbell choir perform during a holiday cantata in the main chapel at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The event preceded the annual tree lighting ceremony at Yokota and marked the official start of the holiday season for the on-base community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

U.S. Air Force Capt. Jason Gilleland, 374th Airlift Wing chaplain, speaks to attendees in the main chapel at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The chapel hosted a holiday cantata and tree lighting ceremony to celebrate the holiday season with the on-base community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

Riuko Iwata, Yokota Chapel lead musician, smiles during a holiday cantata in the main chapel at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. Iwata trains volunteers for music events and has served in the chapel for 43 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

A family pulls a lever to light a Christmas tree in front of the main chapel at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The tree lighting was hosted by the Yokota Chapel and marked the official start of the holiday season for the on-base community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

A fire truck transporting Santa Claus pulls up to the main chapel following a tree lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The ceremony fostered a sense of unity within the on-base community, bringing families together for an evening of hot chocolate and holiday cheer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

Santa Claus waves to families from a fire truck following a tree lighting ceremony at the main chapel on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The tree lighting was hosted by the chapel and marked the official start of the holiday season for the on-base community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

A motorcyclist wearing reindeer antlers watches families wave to Santa Claus following a tree lighting ceremony at the main chapel on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The ceremony fostered a sense of unity within the on-base community, bringing attendees together for an evening of hot chocolate and holiday cheer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

A child tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during a meet-and-greet at the main chapel on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. The chapel hosted a cantata and tree lighting ceremony to celebrate the holiday season with the on-base community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

Children take a picture with Santa Claus during a meet-and-greet at the main chapel on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023. Families gathered at the chapel to listen to Christmas carols and witness a tree lighting ceremony, coming together as a community to celebrate the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan)

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Yokota community rings in holiday season

Published Dec. 1, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

The Yokota Chapel invited the on-base community to celebrate the start of the holiday season with a cantata and tree lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2023.

During the event, families listened to Christmas carols and enjoyed hot chocolate, reveling in the holiday spirit. Santa Claus then made a surprise appearance, bringing joy and excitement to the children in attendance.