An annual Christmas tree lighting, a “Fireworks Olympics” and a volleyball exhibition match are among the events lined up to end this year, an official said Monday.

Mayor Rolando Uy said the Fireworks Olympics will be sponsored by the mayor’s office, aimed at livening up the Christmas celebration and is open to the public.

“(In sponsoring this activity) we want to bring some Christmas cheer to our constituents as they celebrate (the holiday season),” he said.

Full details of the Fireworks Olympics have not yet been disclosed, but the mayor announced that the competition is open to interested participants even outside the city.

Uy said his office will also sponsor another round of exhibition matches before Christmas day, which will feature four top Philippine Volleyball League (PVL) women’s teams.

He said the four teams, including Creamline and PLDT, are scheduled to play at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center.

The PVL teams were among the top crowd drawers during the city’s annual city fiesta celebration last August.

In January next year, Uy said he would work to host a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) match in the city.

The PBA regular season match will feature Ginebra and another PBA team and will also be held at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center, he said.

As part of the city’s tourism campaign, more major events will take place here in the future, he added. (PNA)