It's become a beloved holiday tradition in the Whaling City.

The annual Downtown New Bedford Holiday Stroll returns on Saturday, November 30. Organizers promise plenty of holiday music, antique fire truck rides, hot chocolate, photos with Santa Claus, and much more. Festivities kick off at noon.

This year the stroll coincides with Small Business Saturday, a national movement that encourages people to shop locally.

"Holiday Stroll is a fabulous way to kick off the season,” said Elissa Paquette, president of Downtown New Bedford Inc. and owner of the fashion destination Calico on Union Street. “It's a celebration of family and community,” added Jessica Coelho, owner of Tia Maria’s European Café on North Water Street.

As dusk arrives, the Holiday Stroll culminates with a parade up William Street at 4 p.m., led by the New Bedford High School Marching Band, followed by the city’s tree lighting outside the New Bedford Free Public Library on Pleasant Street at 5 p.m.

Visitors may take the opportunity to donate financially or bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Neediest Families Fund. Donations will be collected at Mare Studio on Centre Street. That's where Santa will be posing for photos with children.

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