Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. will kick-off the holiday season Friday, November 25 from 6:00-8:00pm, with the traditional Elizabeth City Downtown Holiday Celebration, including lighting of the downtown Christmas decorations, caroling, refreshments, and a visit from Santa Claus! This annual start to the holiday season begins at 6 p.m., the day after Thanksgiving, on the steps of the Pasquotank County Courthouse.

Festivities this year will begin with Christmas caroling with Encore Theatre Company’s “Elves” and will include a performance by “The Center Players” from Arts of the Albemarle, plus the flipping of the switch for the Grand Illumination at the Pasquotank County Courthouse, 206 E. Main Street. Following the illumination ceremony, holiday revelers are invited to walk to the following activities: Santa Claus and his Encore Elf helpers will be at Arts of the Albemarle, 516 E. Main Street; Mrs. Claus will have story time at Page After Page Bookstore with light refreshments, 111 South Water Street; plus face painting will be available for kids at Port Discover, 611 E. Main Street, and Serenity Studio Arts, 104 E. Main Street.  Serenity Studio Arts will also have special projects for kids and light refreshments.  Live festive music from Mid-Atlantic Christian University will be playing at RBC Bank, 606 E. Main Street, along with more refreshments.  Thank you to Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. Board members, Muddy Waters Coffee House, MMT Printers, The Cupcakery, City Wine Sellar, Sidney’s Café and Bistro, Serenity Studio Arts, and Page After Page for providing the refreshments for our evening!

This year the Downtown Business and Professional Association will be providing the popular “Hay ride/Sleigh rides” downtown again from 5:00 to 8:00pm.  The pick-up and drop off point for the rides will be in front of RBC Bank.  Many of our downtown shops, restaurants, and businesses will also be open late for your Christmas shopping pleasure!  In addition to the businesses and restaurants that are typically open on Friday nights, the following have responded that they will be open the evening of the 25^th:  Kelly’s Color Studio, Miss Daisy’s, Gregg Shoes, Sidney’s Café and Bistro, Page After Page Bookstore, The Cupcakery, The Artists Collective at Serenity Studio Arts, Arts of the Albemarle, Port Discover, Shay Leslie, RBC Bank (open until 6 for banking and then refreshments and music only after 6), and Simply Divine Fabrics and Things.  Come down and bring your whole family!

 We’re delighted to be able to continue this wonderful tradition in downtown Elizabeth City, and, we are thankful to have so much community support as we celebrate the beginning of the Christmas Season together in our beautiful downtown district.  Main Street will be closed to traffic and parking from Road Street to Water Street from 5:30 to 8:30pm.  Please use our downtown public parking lots.  This event is free and open to the public.  For more information please contact Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. at 252-338-4104, or elizabethcitydowntown@embarqmail.com.