Mayor Wilfred Rosas and the City of Dunkirk Festivals and Specials Events Department have announced the Christmas on Central Small Business Saturday Holiday Market and Annual Tree Lighting from 2 to 7 p.m. Nov. 26 in downtown Dunkirk.

The indoor and outdoor pop-up shopping event is to spotlight locally-owned businesses and the impact they have on communities. Local vendors and activities will be inside the Stearns Building, former P&G grocery store and City Hall with other holiday elements outside on Central Avenue.

The day will provide a great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts from over forty vendors and small businesses while enjoying live music, complimentary hot cocoa and food available for purchase from the Central Station Restaurant, free raffle and gift card prizes, complimentary horse drawn carriage rides, children’s holiday craft-making and coloring contest, visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and elves and a live chainsaw wood carving demonstration by Vince LiuzzoThe Tree Guy.

A Christmas Tree Lane will be located at Stearns Court. Local businesses that would like to provide a decorated real or artificial tree (at least 6-feet tall) for a tree decorating contest are asked to contact Scott Mekus at (716) 366-9848.

There will also be a shopping map with a secret holiday word gift raffle contest available at the event promoting participating vendors and some of the other holiday deals and savings taking place at other local businesses throughout the city.

“We are very excited to be able to host this wonderful event again this year and add some new elements to the holiday occasion,” Rosas said. “Supporting our local small businesses not only during this holiday season but yearlong is important for our community.”

The event will conclude with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with carolers at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Dunkirk City Hall with Mayor Rosas, staff, community members and friends.

Participants are reminded to dress warm during the inside and outside strolling holiday event.

If you are interested in being a craft, gift or food vendor, please visit the city website at www.cityofdunkirk.com or their Facebook page at Dunkirk Festivals & Special Events for registration form.

For more information, contact Ryan Hall at City of Dunkirk at (716) 366-9886 or rhall@cityofdunkirk.com.