Kick off the holiday season at the annual downtown Shakopee Holiday Festival from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, hosted by the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Shakopee.

The free festival includes caroling by the Shakopee Area Catholic School Choir, the annual countdown to the lighting of the tree, an appearance and photos with Santa Claus and horse-drawn carriage rides. This year, holiday stations hosted by downtown businesses add fun for the whole family:

• Live ice sculpture demonstration
• Window decorating map and voting
• Tree ornament decorating, kids crafts
• Hot chocolate, cookies, s’mores
• Holiday face painting, toy drive and coloring contest
• Santa letters and photos