Santa Claus is coming to town and the Ardmore Parks and Rec staff have been busy preparing for his arrival.

Employees strung together a series of late nights last week to put the final touches on the Festival of Lights displays, which officially opened to the public Saturday, following the Chigger Chase.

“The guys have been working several long days, back-to-back,” Parks and Rec Director Teresa Ervin said. “To get ready, it takes a lot. They have been putting it in and it looks great.”

The Festival of Lights will remain open through Dec. 30.

“It is our first Christmas activity,” Ervin said. “It kicks everything off. We move to the next one and the next one.”

Next on the event list is the Christmas Market and lighting of the downtown tree on Dec. 3. The market, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., is in Central Park and includes vendors and food trucks. Later that evening, the Christmas tree is lit, signaling the start of the downtown Christmas parade.

“Then we go into Santa’s Workshop and then Jolly Trolly,” Ervin said.

The workshop is Dec. 6-7 at The Clubhouse and free to the public. The Jolly Trolley will be Dec. 9-12 and consist of a drive through the Festival of Lights. Passengers will play trivia, enjoy hot cocoa and can even burst into a Christmas Carol. The trolly will leave from Central Park with trips available at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.

Tickets for the Jolly Trolley cost $10. The link to purchase the tickets can be found on the Ardmore Parks and Rec Facebook page.

The Clubhouse will once again be a destination as Christmas with the Crew will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 14. The festive celebration will include craft opportunities and treats. The event is free with items available for purchase.

This year will feature a new event, Country Christmas, on Dec. 21. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides from the former skating rink to a pavilion in Regional Park. There will be traditional old-time Christmas activities such as stringing popcorn together and singing songs with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

“Doing some of the old-time things that maybe we don’t always get to do because of the Christmas rush,” Ervin said. “And then, you will take the wagon back.”

There will be two horse-drawn wagons that hold several people. Pre-registration is required to secure a time slot, and tickets are $20 per person.

Santa Claus will visit neighborhoods and parks throughout the city on Dec. 22 starting at 4 p.m.

Letters to Santa can be dropped off at his mailbox through Dec. 15 in Central Park. Be sure and add a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a reply from Santa.

“We hope everybody has an opportunity to do one of the events at least, several if you can,” Ervin said.