The city of Aurora will officially welcome in the holiday season on Friday with the annual Winter Lights Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. downtown.

A parade led by Santa and Mrs. Claus will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Downer Place and Water Street and head west on Downer Place to River Street. The Christmas tree-lighting ceremony will follow at the GAR Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer Place, where Mayor John Laesch will join Santa and Mrs. Claus and lead the crowd in a countdown to flip the switch and illuminate the city’s new holiday tree.

“After the tree lighting, the downtown Aurora sky will be brightened by a drone light show along the banks of the Fox River,” a press release from the city about the event said. “After the drone show, Stolp Avenue, between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard, will be filled

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