Sycamore will kick off the holidays Friday with the Walk with Santa event.

This annual event, presented by Discover Sycamore and the National Bank and Trust Co., begins with Santa arriving at the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St.

“Santa will be there with Mrs. Claus and one of their elves, and they’ll parade down State Street to the annual courthouse lighting ceremony,” said Discover Sycamore Director Lauren Diehl.

Molly Holman, executive director of the Midwest Museum of Natural History, said they are having a Walk with Santa Warm Up for those waiting for Santa’s arrival. After 4 p.m., the museum will have refreshments and crafts available. Admission is $2 per person.

“We know there’s going to be a lot of people waiting there for him so we thought it’d be nice to have the museum available as a nice warm place for them to wait for Santa to arrive,” Holman said.

At 5:30 p.m., Santa will arrive at the parking lot next to the museum. Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf will lead the parade to the DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W. State St.

Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy said once everyone arrives at the courthouse, the lighting ceremony will begin.

“Normally people shout together ‘Ho, ho, ho!’ or ‘One, two, three!’ or something like that and then the switch is thrown and the trees on the courthouse lawn are lit with Christmas lights,” Mundy said. “The St. John’s Lutheran Church choir will be singing some songs there, and I, as mayor, and the first lady will welcome Santa to Sycamore.”

Mundy said Santa will have a house set up on the courthouse lawn, and a schedule will be established for him to be there.

“The little ones can come with their lists and let Santa know what they’re looking for this year,” Mundy said.

Diehl said this is a very exciting time for the community.

“There’s always a really good turnout, and it’s a good way for the community to get together and kick off the holidays,” Diehl said. “It’s a good way to get the community excited and we’re looking forward to that.”

For more information about the Walk with Santa event, visit www.discoversycamore.com.