Begin your day at the Sam Houston Statue & Visitor Center “Open House” at 10 a.m. and enjoy hot wassail, cookies, and 25 percent off your purchase at the gift shop. Open House will continue until 5 p.m.  

Bring your four-legged friends for the “Santa Paws Costume Contest” beginning at 10:30 a.m. where awards will be given for the best “Owner-Pet Costume” and “Most Christmas Spirit.” Open House and the Santa Paws Costume Contest are sponsored by Brookshire Brothers, McAlister’s Deli, Schlotzsky’s, and Petco. 

Continue your day shopping downtown and take part in the “Downtown Christmas Charm Tour”. Shoppers will receive a unique Christmas charm when they make a qualifying purchase at participating locations. Purchases and locations vary, so please check online at HuntsvilleMainStreet.com for more information.

The “Downtown Christmas Charm Tour” will continue through Saturday, December 19.

While you are downtown you can follow Huntsville Main Street’s “Storybook Stroll.” Storybook pages will be posted in the windows of participating locations. The story begins at the Main Street Office. 

Enjoy “Cider on the Porch” at The Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center from 6 – 7 p.m. and claim your seat to watch the Lion’s Club Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. The theme for this year’s parade is “Everyday Superheroes.” Hot cocoa and cookies will also be available at the courthouse gazebo from 5 – 7 p.m.