From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., come and welcome Santa at the Old Fashioned Holiday Display at the Railroad Museum, 351 N. Mesilla St. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving on a BNSF locomotive. Come and take pictures, enjoy toy train displays, crafts, and holiday treats for everyone.
Admission is free.
The celebration continues at the Plaza de Las Cruces with the traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. For the first time, the event features a Vendor Village that will be located at the Placita and opens at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., booths hosted by several City departments will open offering holiday crafts and complimentary cookies. The 40-foot Christmas Tree will be lit at 7 p.m. plus giveaways, family activities, food trucks, photos with Santa, and live music by "Unlyshed."
Admission is free.
Finish the festivities at the Rio Grande Theatre with the special screening of “Elf.” Doors open at 7 p.m., the movie starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. Tickets may be purchased at the door or on online at riograndetheatre.org.
Avoid parking mayhem by using the free shuttle provided by RoadRUNNER Transit that will have a route from stops at City Hall, 700 N. Main St., the Third Judicial District Court, 201 W. Picacho Ave., Water Street, Las Cruces Street, and the Railroad Museum.
Buses will run every 20 minutes from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.