The De Soto Chamber of Commerce will kick off the holiday season with its annual tree-lighting at 6 p.m. Friday evening at De Soto City Hall, 17 Boyd St.
A Christmas parade and other holiday events will be held, running through Dec. 16.
Sarah Greenlee, the chamber’s coordinator, said she expects large crowds at the events.
The De Soto High School Choir will perform at the tree-lighting, and Santa will be on hand.
Other Friday activities include a Nativity Walk, with participating stores displaying nativity scenes, as well as a Santa visit, a giant interactive snowman and a craft fair at the Arlington Event Center, 207 Main St.
Shopping hours will be extended to 9 p.m. at Main Street businesses and Patriot Trolley rides will be available. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served, and s’mores will be offered by Journey Community Church.
The 93rd annual De Soto Christmas Parade will start at 6 p.m. Saturday at Mahn Funeral Home, 900 N. Main St., and proceed south on Main Street and then west on St. Louis Street to J.C. Culwell Stadium at De Soto High School, where the parade ends.
Other chamber Christmas events scheduled this month:
■ Dec. 8 – From 5-8 p.m., Santa will visit Pogolino’s Restaurant, 530 N. Second St.
■ Dec. 9 – Crafts and photos with Santa from 5-8 p.m. at the De Soto Public Library, 712 S. Main St.
■ Dec. 11 – The 1983 film, “A Christmas Story,” will be shown at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Melba Theater, 300 S. Main St. Admission is one canned good, which will be donated to the De Soto Food Pantry.
■ Dec. 16 – Photos with Santa at The Gathering Room, 116 S. Main St.
For more information, visit the chamber Facebook page or go to