The Main Street Cultural District is kicking off the holiday season by hosting several events downtown Friday through Sunday.

“This holiday event brings awareness of what the Cultural District has to offer,” said Angela Moore, director of the Main Street Cultural District. “It gives a good showcase of what downtown has.”

Moore said this is a great weekend to get holiday shopping done with the Holiday Art Walk and Open House and said many of the stores will begin their holiday specials as well.

Check out the following events planned downtown this weekend:

Friday

n The Holiday Art Walk, from 5 to 9 p.m., is where 37 businesses will offer refreshments and host the work of local artists. The artists will display their work, with many of the works for sale, while some perform demonstrations. The art will include handcrafted jewelry, silk scarves, photography, paintings, Japanese drawings and kimonos.

Demonstrations will include the pottery wheel, how to spin yarn, paper cutting and techniques in handcrafting jewelry and watercolor works. Prairie Moon Winery, 3801 W. 190th St., a local organic winery, will offer wine tasting at Healthwise Resources, 327 Sixth St. Lillie May Chocolates and Chocolaterie Stam, 417 Main St., will have chocolates to sample and Avenues for Health, 221 Fifth St., will provide free chair massages, in addition to the many other treats offered within the businesses.

n A tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. in Bandshell Park at the east end of Main Street. Mayor Ann Campbell will light a 17-foot tall iron tree covered with thousands of lights. Live music will be played by Central Iowa Symphony Brass Quintet. Cookies and hot cocoa will be provided, and Santa is coming, so bring your wish list.

n During the Holiday Art Walk and tree lighting, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas carolers and jugglers on Main Street.

Saturday

n The annual Holiday Craft Fair in the Community Center Gymnasium at Ames City Hall, where local crafters will have their works for sale, is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission to the fair is $1 and door prizes will be given away every 30 minutes.

Sunday

n During the Holiday Open House, many of the downtown stores will have deals for holiday shopping from 12:30 to 4:40 p.m. During this time, Santa will return, as well as the horse-drawn carriages and Christmas carolers.