New London is hosting six weeks of multicultural celebrations this holiday season

The city of New London has announced a series of socially distant holiday-season events celebrating the diverse array of faiths and beliefs in New London’s culture.

The 2020 holiday events include:

Tree Lighting Ceremony, Saturday: Join the city of New London and Mayor Michael Passero as the Parade Plaza Christmas Tree is lighted. New London businesses will be decorating their storefronts to create a holiday walking experience. This event will be live-streamed.

New London Holiday Market, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20, and also Dec. 27 and Jan. 3: Parade Plaza will feature downtown shopping at the New London Holiday Market.

Shop Local, Shop Late, Thursdays Dec. 3-24: All downtown businesses will remain open until 8 p.m. Businesses will be open for special hours on Christmas Eve and will be closing before 8 p.m.

Elf on the Shelf, Dec. 5: Downtown businesses will display the popular Elf on the Shelf inside their businesses and in their storefronts for walkers to discover as they stroll through downtown. The Elf on the Shelf will come to life at 44 Bank St. between 1 and 2 p.m. in the storefront window.

Also on Dec. 5, Hygienic Art will host a family movie showing of “Shrek the Halls,” “Olaf’s Frozen

Adventure,” “Smurf Holiday Celebration” and “Merry Madagascar” starting at 5 p.m. at the Hygienic Art Park.

New London Menorah Lighting, 5 p.m. Dec. 10: Join the city of New London for the lighting of the Parade Plaza Menorah, which also will be live-streamed.

Festival of Lights, Dec. 12: New London will be decorated in holiday lighting at City Hall, Parade Plaza and at Waterfront Park.

Santa’s Mailbox, Dec. 19: Families and children can visit Santa at 44 Bank St. as they make their lists and drop them off at Santa’s mailbox.

n Art vendors, noon-7 p.m. Dec. 19: Art vendors will set up at the Hygienic Art Park as part of the Art = Gift pop-up shops.

Kwanzaa Celebration, Dec. 26: To commemorate Kwanzaa, New London businesses are banding together to offer learning and entertainment opportunities for children at their shops. At a participating business, children can pick up a Kwanzaa activity book to explore and enjoy.

Musica Navidena, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 2: Ocean Beach Park will host a drive-in holiday music concert. Admission is one unwrapped toy for the Three Kings celebration.

Three Kings Celebration, Jan. 2: New London’s Holiday Celebration ends as the city begins a new year by giving back to the community. Toys collected throughout November, December and January will be distributed to children in need by the Dominican Association of New London at 44 Bank St. alongside a live Three Kings display in the storefront. Throughout the holiday season, the city is partnering with the Dominican Association of New London to host a toy drive.

Through Jan. 2, donations of unwrapped toys can be dropped off in the lobby of the Stanton Building, 111 Union St., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays or at the New London Police Department at 5 Gov. Winthrop Ave. daily.