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The Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Partnership has planned five weeks of festivities they're calling , in an effort to attract families to the area and to highlight the holidays.Ìý

One of those festivities is 15 tons of snow that you and your kids can play in at the Parade of Lights Festival Saturday, Dec. 16. There's even going to be a hill for sledding and free discs to slide on.Ìý

The festival includes a health fair, live music, a bell ringing ceremony, a tree lighting ceremony, and of course, the annual Parade of Lights.

Speaking of the parade, there's a this year, which focuses on the downtown core and Jacome Plaza.

If you're planning on entering the parade, entries are being accepted through Monday, Dec. 4. Click to register.

Holidays at Jacome

"Instead of just coordinating one event, we're promoting five weeks of entertainment at Jacome Plaza," said Kathleen Eriksen, CEO of the . "We are activating that public space."

More than 38 downtown buildings and 154 trees will be lit up with white lights. Thirty downtown businesses are participating in a window decorating contest and there are weekly activities planned at Jacome Plaza, , all month.Ìý

"We are just super excited," Eriksen said. "This is the way it should be done."

Here's the skinny.

Window contest

You'll get to be the judge of this year's window contest. There are 30 business decking their storefronts out in hopes of winning the prize of two round-trip plane tickets to anywhere in the U.S. So, go downtown from Nov. 25 to Dec. 9 to vote for your favorites. There will be ballot boxes inside of each participating business or you can vote on .Ìý

Photos with Santa

While you're downtown, get the kids' picture taken with Santa. He'll be at Jacome Plaza on weekends starting Dec. 8. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

Outdoor Office

Bring your computer and your project to the plaza and do your work in the new outdoor office space. There's free Wi-Fi and bistro tables and chairs.Ìý Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Picnic in the Park

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can have your lunch and play lawn games and table tennis with your friends. There will also be pop-up events during these hours such as fitness classes, music, painting in the park and more. A schedule will be posted in the park daily.Ìý

Friday Food and Flicks

Starting Dec. 8, you can grab a blanket and your family (or make it a date night) and watch movies under the stars. Pre-movie activities include table tennis, lawn games and food trucks. Movies start at sunset.Ìý

Health at Jacome

What's better than working out outside? This is a free workout series on the side lawn at Jacome Plaza throughout the month of December. You can try Boot Camp, Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, Zumba, MMA Sweat, PiYo, Barreless Barre and Mild Salsa for free! Classes are at 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 4:15 p.m. Thursdays

Festival schedule

What: Parade of Lights Festival

When: 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16

Where: Jacome Plaza, 

3 to 7 p.m. Carondelet Health Network Wellness Fair

6 to 6:30 p.m. Mayor's tree lighting ceremony

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Parade of Lights

3 to 9 p.m. Live music and entertainment