The Snow Magic will return this weekend with a variety of festivities in the Downtown Ames area to get members of the community in the holiday spirit.

The Snow Magic lineup

6 p.m. Friday: The Ames Main Street Cultural District will kick off the magic with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Tom Evans Park. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered to attendees, with rides that will tour people around the downtown area for free.

Friday is also the start of the Octagon Center of the Arts’ Festival of Trees, which will run through Nov. 28. Santa will be at the event from 5 to 8 p.m., and admission is free.

Many downtown businesses will also be open past normal hours from 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 28: Small Business Saturday encourages people to shop at local businesses with holiday deals on special items. Free shopping bags will be given to the first 600 shoppers who arrive downtown.

A breakfast will take place from 7:45 to 9:45 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, where kids will have the opportunity to meet Santa. Kids can go to the Ames Public Library at 10:30 a.m. to listen to a story from Mrs. Clause. 

The Chamber of Commerce will also host free gift wrapping downtown from 8 a.m. to noon. Gifts must have receipts in order to be wrapped.

Thursday, Dec. 3: The American Legion will host a movie night for kids. A group of ISU students will watch the children while parents have an opportunity to do some holiday shopping. Attendees can RSVP for this event by calling 515-233-4568. 

Saturday, Dec. 5: The Ames Historical Society will host a traditions day that will show how Christmas was celebrated in the past. The Snow Magic Scavenger hunt will also start Dec. 5 and will run until Dec. 19.

Saturday, Dec. 12: Cy will make an appearance along with Santa and his train, which kids can ride in from 10 a.m. until noon.

For more details on Downtown Snow Magic activities, visit The Ames Main Street Cultural District’s website.