An outdoor Christmas tree at Tracy Outlets will burst into light Friday evening to benefit the Hospice of San Joaquin and to honor those served by the hospice.

The fifth annual Tree of Lights ceremony at the outlet center off Pescadero Avenue in northeastern Tracy will begin at 6 p.m., said Elaine Yager, manager of the center. The program is free and open to the public.

Lights that have been dedicated by donations to the Hospice of San Joaquin will begin glowing when electricity to the tree, decorated by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. volunteers, is switched on.

Each light will be dedicated either in memory of a deceased person who was served by the hospice or in honor of a living person, explained Barbara Pombo, the hospice’s director of development.

“The Tree of Lights has become a tradition of caring for our community and continues to remind us that the most precious gifts in our lives are the family, friends and associates who have shared their lives and love with us,” she said.

Lights range from red (a $5 donation) to treetop (a $250 donation), Pombo explained. Proceeds help defray expenses for the hospice, which provides end-of-life care and services throughout San Joaquin County.

The names of those who are honored by the lights on the tree will be listed on a memory board at the base of the tree.

The family of hospice patient Gary Clark — Germaine Clark and daughters Katie and Melissa — will provide remembrances. Katie and Melissa will switch on the tree lights.

The St. Bernard’s Catholic Church choir will provide holiday music, and refreshments will be served by the Tracy Butterfly Auxiliary of the Hospice of San Joaquin.

Similar Tree of Lights programs will take place in Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Lockeford and Rio Vista.

Additional information about Friday’s activities can be obtained by contacting either Yager at Tracy Outlets, 833-1892, or Pombo at Hospice of San Joaquin, 957-3888.