LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Get ready for a night of holiday fun!

Dubbed Louisville's official kick-off to the holiday season, Light Up Louisville is set for Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Jefferson Square Park. The free, family-friendly celebration features a parade, photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live entertainment, a drone show over Metro Hall and more than a dozen local food and beverage vendors.

The dazzling Lots of Lights Parade will begin at 6 p.m., traveling from Jefferson Street east to 4th Street, south to Liberty Street and west to 8th Street. Coming all the way from the North Pole, Santa is then slated to make his grand entrance at 8 p.m., starting at 4th and Jefferson, before heading to the main stage near 6th Street and Jefferson on the Metro Hall west lawn. The official "Light Up Moment" is set for approximately 8:14 p.m.

New features to this year's event include a video mapping show on Metro Hall and a drone show, along with the Mistletoe Market featuring 30 local vendors and Frosty's Food Court with 14 local food and beverage vendors. The following traditions will also return: 

• Live entertainment across two stages
• Free photos with Santa & Friends inside Santa's House
• Free trackless train rides aboard the Jolly Jingle Express 
• Free inflatable slide, craft stations, face paintings and other family-friendly entertainment 

The festive event coincides with Louisville Downtown Partnership's Holiday Market. This will see the Plaza on Fourth between Jefferson and Market streets become an outdoor pop-up shopping and food vendor market, offering an opportunity for the community to shop local and support small businesses.

The Louisville Mayor's Office said the free event is made possible through the support of Louisville Gas & Electric, Bank of America, Ford, Humana Military, iHeart Media, Outfront Media, Peterman Brothers, AT&T and Louisville Downtown Partnership.