(STURGIS) – The Christmas season comes alive this weekend with events in downtown Sturgis.

The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority is presenting Dashing Through Downtown today and Saturday. Today from 4 until 7 PM, Free Church Park is going to be busy with activities. Santa will be at his house to meet with children. Reindeer and lambs will be on display, the Sturgis High School Band and Choir will be performing and the Grinch will make a special appearance. There will also be carriage rides and hot cocoa and donuts.

From 4 until 9 PM the Kristkindlmarkt will be open on Pleasant Avenue.

From 5:30 until 9 PM the annual Sip & Stroll will be going on in the downtown area. Several businesses will be open. You can get a punch card at the DDA booth on Pleasant Avenue, then visit the participating businesses to get your card punched.

On Saturday, Santa will be at the Sturgis Historical Museum at the Depot from 11 AM until 1 PM. From 12 to 4 PM, the Kristkindlmarkt will be open to the public.

At 1 PM the Strand Theater will be showing The Polar Express. The cost is $5 which gets you in to see the movie and gets you a hot cocoa, a small bag of popcorn and a souvenir bell. Only 250 tickets will be sold. You can get the at the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce Office, in Free Church Park tonight and a limited number on Saturday at the Strand Theater.