Children younger than 2 are allowed at the festival, but it is against policy for older children to attend because of the alcohol. Ticket holders must be 21 and older. Each ticket is good for a four-hour session at the expo, and live bands perform all day long. Last year, some 4,000 people participated. This 10-kilometer run takes place on the third Saturday of November and usually draws about 200 runners.
Parking is limited.
After watching the tree-lighting in Monument Square, stroll the Old Port streets and listen to carolers dressed in Victorian costume or watch the jugglers and stilt walkers. There are also free horse-drawn carriage rides and plenty of dazzling stores where you can begin your Christmas shopping. You can even vote on your favorite store window. This is about as old-fashioned a Christmas as you'll find, and it offers a great time to shop if you want all the yuletide atmosphere without the crush of the crowds. Imagine walking down brick sidewalks beneath iron lampposts and glittering white lights in the trees overhead.