The Downtown Bangor Partnership invites families to experience the excitement of Christmas as their children visit Santa Claus. This free event gives parents a chance to take a photo of their child with Santa, and kids can share their wishes with the head toymaker himself. Memorymaker Photography (memorymakerphotographyme.com) will be on hand to take professional photos which will be available for purchase. Free cookie decorating will be available while supplies last.

Festival of Lights Parade, Dec. 6, 4 p.m., Downtown Bangor

The Rotary Club of Bangor presents the annual Festival of Lights Parade. This dazzling event brightens the season for the thousands of spectators who will line the streets of downtown Bangor. There will be marching bands, floats, dancers and other performing groups representing traditional scenes celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, New Years, Solstice, Kwanzaa and other seasonal happenings. The parade route starts at Railroad Street, turns right onto Main Street, crosses Union Street and continues through downtown Bangor, crosses State Street, turns right onto Harlow Street, across State Street again to Exchange Street, officially ending by Camden National Bank.

Holiday Tree Lighting, Dec. 6, West Market Square

Directly following the Festival of Lights Parade, the City of Bangor's Holiday Tree will be lit. Sprague's Nursery & Garden Center donated the spectacular holiday centerpiece of downtown a 35-foot balsam fir from Hermon, Maine. The tree will be delivered to West Market Square on Tuesday, Dec. 2 (weather permitting).