Multiple special events will take place in downtown Traverse City this December to celebrate the holiday season. Here's a guide to the schedule of events:

Holiday Lights: Traverse City Light & Power has committed $20,000 ($10,000 in 2014 and $10,000 in 2015) toward the phased purchasing of all new holiday lights for downtown Traverse City. The company will install over 130,000 LED lights in the trees lining the downtown streets this year to commemorate the holidays. Blue Cross Blue Shield will also decorate City Centre Plaza at the corner of Cass and State with thousands of holiday lights in the tree canopy.

Community Tree & Santa's House Installation, December 1: This year's Community Tree - which will sit at the corner of Cass and East Front - will be installed on December 1. Santa's House will also be installed at City Centre Plaza the same day. Bay Area Contracting, in conjunction with 20+ local vendors, donated time and materials in 2013 to construct a brand new house for Santa, which will be on display this year.

Santa's Arrival, Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House, December 5: The Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA) will host a holiday open house from 5:30-9pm on Friday, December 5. Planned activities include:
* Holiday music at the Community Tree at 5:30pm and a community carol led by Grand Traverse Chorus at 5:45pm
* Santa's arrival in the Traverse City Firefighters Local 646 Antique Fire Engine and tree lighting ceremony at 6pm, including a presentation to Santa of a key to the city by Mayor Michael Estes
* Santa House visiting hours from 6:15-9pm
* Horse & carriage rides by Abraham Carriage Service from 6:30-9pm
* Live music by The Accidentals and special guests at the corner of Cass and Front from 6:15-9pm
* Ice sculptures by chef and ice artist Marc Pritchard of the Park Place Hotel on display in the 100 and 200 blocks of Front Street and a live ice-carving demonstration at City Centre Plaza from 6-8pm
* Live reindeer in front of Red Ginger
* Free holiday cartoons at the State Theatre at 6:45pm
* Extended evening hours, store specials, free gift wrapping and refreshments at participating merchants

Santa's Hours, December 5-24: Santa will be visiting with little ones in his house at City Centre Plaza on the following dates:
Friday, December 5: 6:15-9pm
Fridays, December 12 & 19: 5-8pm
Saturdays, December 6, 13 & 20: 11am-4pm
Sundays, December 7, 14 & 21: 1-4pm
Extended hours: December 22-23: 3-7pm, December 24: 12-3pm

Ladies' Night, December 11: Participating stores will offer sales, refreshments, prize drawings, free gift wrapping and more from 5-9pm. Caroling provided by the Grand Traverse Chorus.

Men's Night, December 18: Participating stores will offer sales, refreshments, prize drawings, free gift wrapping and more from 5-9pm.

CherryT Ball Drop, December 31: The CherryT Ball Drop - a New Year's Eve celebration featuring a giant lit cherry that drops at midnight - will once again take place in downtown Traverse City December 31. Music and entertainment begin at 10:30pm and run until just after midnight. There is a suggested donation of $3 or three non-perishable food items. Proceeds from the nonprofit event benefit local charities, while donated food items are contributed to local food pantries.

Free Holiday Parking: There is free parking all December in the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck on Front Street after 5pm Monday through Friday and all day on Saturday and Sunday.