On the road for Dec. 3

Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival

What: More than 500,000 lights brighten the Bavarian-style village. There also will be live entertainment, refreshments for sale and visits from Santa Claus. This is the 49th year the town has held the Christmas Lighting Festival.

When: 4-9 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Friday (Dec. 4) through Dec. 20.

Where: Leavenworth.

Friday events: There will be live music performances along the streets. At 4:30 p.m., St. Nickolaus will arrive at the Front Street Gazebo. There, he will tell a story about his legacy and the gift of “gold” he leaves for good girls and boys.

Saturday and Sunday events: The action begins with the noon arrival of Santa and other costumed holiday characters as they march from the Festhalle to the gazebo. The Gluhwein Tent will be the place to get hot spiced wine and cider. You can go sledding in Front Street Park. Carolers will sing as they stroll through the town. It all culminates with the lighting ceremony (4:30 p.m. this weekend). Community churches also will present a living nativity.

Entertainment: The schedule includes school bands, hand bell and church choirs, local bands and individual performers, an Army National Guard Dixie band,

Admission: Free.

Information: leavenworth.org.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "On the road for Dec. 3."