Christmas begins at 6 p.m. tonight in Austin.

That’s when the annual Christmas in the City celebration kicks off in downtown Austin.

Children and their families are asked to meet 6 p.m. at the Austin Elks Lodge for a parade down North Main Street with Santa Claus.

Elks Lodge members will serve hot chocolate beginning at 5 p.m. and distribute light sticks for the children.

At the conclusion of the parade, there will be a lighting ceremony at the corner of Third Avenue Northeast and North Main Street where a stage will be located.

The reigning Miss Minnesota Angie McDermott will officiate.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will greet children in the lower level of the Town Center throughout the evening.

Larry Wilson will be giving away roasted chestnuts until their gone.

Participating merchants will hold open houses for visitors.

The St. Lucia Festival of Lights featuring the Jane Taylor Academy of Dancers will perform free beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Radio stations KAUS, KQAQ and Power 96 will be doing live broadcasts through the early evening in the greater downtown area.

The Edge Salon and Downtown Merchants Association will be holding a scavenger hunt. It starts on t he downtown plaza across from the Christmas in the City stage.

There’s more holiday fun coming next week in Austin.

Christmas in the Northwest will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday among the businesses along 18th Avenue Northwest.

Then, a Sterling Christmas will be celebrated from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday among Sterling Shopping Center businesses.

All of the events are sponsored by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Participating merchants have schedules of specific events throughout the city, during the Christmas holiday season.

Brochures are also available at the chamber office in Town Center, downtown Austin.