Downtown McKinney is donning its holiday apparel as city staffers begin wrapping street lamps in garland and adding wreaths to historic buildings—all in preparation for Home for the Holidays.

Home for the Holidays is an annual event that kicks off the holiday season during Thanksgiving weekend. Running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 27-28, and noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 29, the event transforms downtown McKinney into a winder wonderland of shopping, entertainment, activities and food.

On Nov. 27, downtown gets an extra dose of holiday cheer at 6:15 p.m. when the city lights a 30-foot pine tree that will adorn the city’s square. The tree was funded by First United Bank and the contributions from families and businesses during the McKinney Christmas Tree—A Gift to the Community fundraising campaign. It will serve as a backdrop for holiday photos and be a sight for the entire community to enjoy. Following the tree lighting, visitors can enjoy candlelight shopping downtown until 8 p.m.

More than 120 locally-owned stores and boutiques are located downtown. Home for the Holidays attractions and activities include visits with Santa, a snow tubing hill, live performances of A Christmas Carol at the McKinney Performing Arts Center and a petting zoo will also be on hand.

For a complete listing of scheduled events, visit the Home for the Holidays website or call McKinney Main Street at 972-547-2660. Streets in the downtown area will be blocked off to through traffic to prepare for the event starting the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 25.