With Thanksgiving over, the city of Aurora is ringing in holiday cheer with a tree lighting ceremony Tuesday and a series of other holiday-themed events.

City officials will illuminate thousands of light strands and celebrate the holiday season with activities starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the Great Lawn of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. 

Other activities include dance and carol performances, sweet treats, and special appearances from Elsa and Anna of Disney movie Frozen and Santa Claus, according to the city’s website.

For those shopping for holiday gifts, the Merry Makers Market will also be happening Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway. The market has a variety of products from local small businesses.

The annual Festival of Wreaths will be on display Tuesday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway. Wreaths created by local businesses, people and organizations will be displayed in the community gallery.  

The following Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Visit the Village will take place at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave. Similar to the Merry Maker’s Market, Visit the Village is a holiday shopping event with local businesses selling their products and other holiday festivities.

At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, a 5K will kick off the Visit the Village event. It costs $15 to run in the 5K, called “Yeti Set Go!,” and get entry to Visit the Village.

General admission for Visit the Village costs $10 and is free for children two and younger. 

Free admission is offered to those who donate a new, unwrapped gift for Arapahoe County Human Services’ Partnering for the Holidays gift-giving program. 

Visit the Village will also include a Santa photo opportunity, horse-drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, craft activities, food trucks, a hot chocolate bar, a matching pajama contest and more. 

A full list of activities and a link to buy admission tickets are available on the county’s website.