Mariah Carey’s belting “It’s Time” may signal the start of holiday season for the rest of the world but, for the people of Baltimore, that would be the fireworks that illuminate the Washington Monument the first week of December.

Organizers expected around 10,000 people to descend upon the monument Thursday evening to experience live musical performances from the likes of Baltimore School for the Arts, Peabody Brass Ensemble and the Morgan State University Choir, and shop from about 30 local vendors.

Throngs of people visited Mount Vernon Square Park. Some circled around the waterless fountain. Many braved lengthy lines for food, warm drinks and booze. Others became enthralled with the juggling elf.

Groups grabbed photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and other holiday characters. And a few lined the Washington Apartments in their folding chairs waiting for the fireworks.

Just before the event started at 5 p.m., a few puppies barked at one another and a couple of children wearing light-up necklaces climbed a mini tree to the sounds of “Qué Pasaria” by Rauw Alejandro and Bad Bunny blasting from Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine’s food truck. Next to them, a line had formed outside Ekiben’s food truck.

Other budding entrepreneurs belted to attendees they had gloves, hats and light-up necklaces for sale.

Barbara Milligan and her family popped out their folding chairs and filed them in a single row at the spot closest to the stage. For them, it’s a tradition that started with Milligan’s father bringing her 43 years ago.

In that time, she’s missed only one: three years ago when she was sick.

Milligan, 56, carries on the tradition with her children who join her now as adults and share videos of the fireworks with her oldest daughter, who lives in Colorado.

“I love the fireworks. I love the music. I love Christmas,” Milligan said. “I love everything about this.”

Milligan was especially looking forward to the Morgan State Choir and the fireworks — which she was saddened were suddenly canceled last year.

“It broke my heart because we couldn’t have it. It made my kids sad, too,” Milligan said.

Still, they’re back, bundled up and festive in their reindeer headbands, Santa hats and Christmas-themed scarves and gloves. The matriarchal Milligan was the loudest one cheering on TWIGGS students following their performance.

Dorian Brown, the co-owner of Neopol Savory Smokery, doesn’t do many events, especially after welcoming a little one. He makes the exception for events put on by Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, including the annual monument lighting.

His food business, which he co-owns with his mom, has been vending at the event for five years. Brown likes that it’s well organized and has been lucrative for them — even with a seemingly smaller crowd this year.

“The vibes are always good,” Brown said. “It’s a quick festival, but it’s always cool. I love the fireworks.”

Brown’s favorite part is the fireworks, which he and his team of four can see from their tent that touts creamy smoked seafood chowder, barbecue pulled pork, Neopol toasted rolls, smoked mussels and hot ginger cardamom lemonade.

Isis Wyche has gone to the monument lighting since moving to Baltimore seven years ago. When asked what keeps her coming back, her response is brief: “fireworks.”

“It looks impressive against the monument,” Wyche said.

Wyche said she also enjoys the vendors — even if she hasn’t been able to get Neopol’s smoked mussels before they run out.

Just around 7:30 p.m., the 29-year-old had secured her spot near the park’s Peace monument, much closer than the fountain she typically lingers near. Others rushed from food lines to find their spots as the crowd rumbled when the Morgan State Choir took the stage — an indicator the fireworks were coming.

Several local and state officials attended, including City Council members James Torrence, Jermaine Jones, Zac Blanchard and Zeke Cohen, who proudly proclaimed Baltimore is winning due to historic homicide reductions.

Comptroller Bill Henry also took the stage.

“Last year, I had to say there wouldn’t be any fireworks,” Henry said. “This year, I get to say there will be fireworks.”

The crowd roared in celebration. Just after 8 p.m., attendees counted off to a dazzling display of multicolored fireworks that lit the Washington Monument against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and full moon.

What started as a gathering of Mount Vernon neighbors now attracts people from all over the city. Perhaps there was even more anticipation in the air after fireworks did not fly in 2024 due to fires burning across the city, including a massive blaze at Woodberry’s Camp Small.

“We hoped right to the very end that we would be allowed to launch the fireworks,” Lance Humphries, the executive director of Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, said. “It didn’t turn out that way.”

Per usual, a fire marshal would be on-site, Humphries said. He said Image Engineering, the company that deploys the fireworks, works with the fire department to determine whether conditions are suitable for fireworks.

Temperatures were expected to drop to 25 degrees, with wind gusts up to 23 mph, as Baltimoreans brace for light snowfall Friday.

This story has been updated.