The city of Arab kicks off the 2012 holiday season November 23rd for five weeks of lights, entertainment, and music inviting children and adults to share in the magic of Christmas. The annual Christmas in the Park, featuring more than 2 million lights throughout Arab City Park, has become a holiday tradition for many families in Arab and surrounding communities.

The annual holiday spectacle kicks off on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m. with a lighting ceremony followed by live entertainment featuring Christmas music. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park taking in the millions of lights and holiday decorations each evening through December 31st. Admission is free.

Santa in the Park, held in conjunction with Christmas in the Park, provides spirited fun for all ages. The Arab Historic Village, located adjacent to Arab City Park, will be transformed into Santa's Village where children will be able to visit with Santa and have a photo made with him, decorate a cookie, visit the gristmill to get food for Santa's reindeer, and watch reindeer shoes be made at the blacksmith shop. Christmas stories will also be told and all historic buildings will be open and adorned with festive Christmas decorations. Santa in the Park will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on November 23-24, November 29-December 1, December 7-8, and December 14-15. Admission is $5 per person and children under 2 are admitted free.

Arab City Park is located off of Shoal Creek Trail Northeast in downtown Arab. For more information and a schedule of entertainment on Christmas in the Park, visit www.arabcity.org, www.arab-chamber.org, or call 256.586.8128.