KINGMAN – The Kingman Downtown Merchants Association (KDMA) in conjunction with the City of Kingman and area businesses announces its upcoming annual Christmas kick-off. The Very Merry Christmas ’Street of Lights’ Christmas Festival and Mingle-Jingle Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday, December 7. This year’s theme will be Gingerbread Lane, with holiday cookie-themed gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, illuminated Christmas Lights and so much more!
“It’s the most exciting time of the year. Come one, come all; share the festivities. You don’t want to miss it,” urges Joni Millin, Events Coordinator of the KDMA. The free event will take place in Downtown Kingman on Beale Street.
The fun begins starting with the Mingle-Jingle Christmas Bazaar in Beale Celebrations, 201 North Fourth Street. The bazaar will take place between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. The bazaar will hold more than 40 vendors. Arts and crafts will be available inside of Beale Celebrations. Santa and his helpers will be available for photos for families at Beale Celebrations from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Professional photography will be available for a small price. There will be the option to take your own photos with Santa.
Santa will leave Beale Celebrations at 4 p.m.; at 5 p.m., Santa will then come in by helicopter on the corner of First Street and Beale and walk to his castle in Locomotive Park.
Beale Street will be lined with themed floats for this year’s Street of Lights static displays Christmas Festival starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. Music plays while people explore the embellished streets and stores stay open later into the night. The displays will be ongoing. The People’s Choice voting poll will be available again this year. Kingman’s free mobile app, Everything Kingman will be holding the voting poll for anyone to vote for the best display! There will also be an opportunity to win surprise giveaways!
All of downtown will be decorated and there will be many stops along the way to pick up treats including the Grinch handing out free cookies and hot chocolate at Central Church on 112 North Fourth Street. The church also opens up the sanctuary and plays Christmas movies throughout the night. The City of Kingman will be providing train rides for families on Second Street and a snow machine for kids to play around on Third Street! The food truck court will be in front of Beale Celebrations on Third Street. The Christmas kick-off will also hold car shows, cheerleaders, entertainers, singers, dancers, activities and so much more to help celebrate this annual event!
The 18th Annual City of Kingman tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at Locomotive Park. The mayor and city council hosts the ceremony before illuminating the park. The entire park will be lit up with beautiful festive Christmas decorum!
In 2023, around 10,000 people in total joined this token Kingman event, with the 2024 event expecting to be even bigger! KDMA has been an asset to the Kingman community since 1987, participating in events such as the Cookie Crawl, scheduled for December 14. You may pick up your cookie container and passport. To purchase them visit the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at Kingman chamber.com.
KDMA has been involved in the Day of Caring, aiding the Kingman clean-up goal and Kingman’s overall beautification project. KDMA assisted in proposing the allowance of freeing up entertainment zones. KDMA and the City of Kingman made it possible for churches and bars to coexist in Downtown Kingman after getting new regulations approved by the city, helping the overall growth and prosperity of downtown.
KDMA is eagerly accepting float displays. Registration is available for the Kingman Very Merry Christmas ‘Street of Lights’ for displays, entertainment, and more! Carolers, clowns, bands, and other forms of entertainment are welcome to join the event with an entry fee of $50. Non-profits and fundraisers including churches and associations are also welcome to join this event. For more information on the KDMA Very Merry Christmas Street of Lights or to enter your business into the event, contact kingmandowntownmerchantsassoc@gmail.com
Visit the KDMA office on 221 East Beale Street Suite B in Kingman and visit their website at kingmandowntownmerchantsassociation.com.
