The 11th Annual Old Town Holiday Stroll, one of the largest and best-known events of the holiday season, will be held on Friday, December 5, 2008, from noon to 9:00 p.m.

Festivities include music and entertainment throughout Old Town, a pet adoption event at The Dawg House (304 San Felipe Street NW) from noon to 4:00 p.m., the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Plaza Don Luis just after 6:00 p.m., a Santa Claus parade around Old Town Plaza with Santa Claus in residence in the evening, and luminarias all evening.

Holiday Stroll buttons will be sold at several merchant locations as well as at Old Town Plaza, with the proceeds to go to Barrett Foundation, which provides assistance for homeless women and children. Visitors wearing the Holiday Stroll button will be eligible for discounts on merchandise at participating shops in Old Town.

Raffle tickets may be purchased during the evening, the proceeds of which also benefit Barrett Foundation. Prizes include a night's stay at the Embassy Suites and jewelry items, and the grand prize is two fly-anywhere tickets on Southwest Airline.

Parking and transportation: Because the Holiday Stroll is a popular and well-attended event, parking in the area is extremely limited and traffic congestion can be heavy. We request that visitors carpool or take the bus as much as possible. The City is also providing free parking and handicap accessible parking at the Plaza Vieja lot on Central and San Felipe, and limited free parking is available around the Old Town area.

Sponsors of the 2008 Old Town Holiday Stroll are 770 KKOB, 99.5 Magic FM, Old Town Merchants Association, Barrett Foundation, Airport Parking, New Mexico Department of Tourism, City of Albuquerque, and Clear Channel Outdoor Communications.