All city of Kannapolis offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

There will be no garbage/recycling/loose leaf collection service on Thanksgiving Day. We will operate on a one day delay — Thursday’s route will be collected on Friday and Friday’s route will be collected on Saturday.

Join us Thanksgiving weekend at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Village Park, 700 West C. Street on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m. This year, the tree lighting will feature entertainment and a special guest from the North Pole who will light up the tree and launch a fireworks show.

The tree lighting will also kick off the 2016 Celebration of Lights, which boasts more than 250,000 lights adorning Village Park. The Winterland Express will run every evening from Nov. 26-Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24-25), taking riders through the park’s wonderland of lights from 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.  Santa will also be on hand in his studio each night, with Mrs. Claus occasionally making special appearances, to meet and greet everyone. Admission to the park and viewing of the lights are free. Train rides are $2.

Additionally, throughout the month there will be special performances from local entertainers, the Singing Bears, the Lionel Train Model display and more.

On Thanksgiving weekend – Nov. 25-26 – The Holiday Market will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in  The Laureate Center at Kannapolis City Hall located at 401 Laureate Way. Find all of your Christmas shopping needs at the market which features local vendors and artists offering plenty of holiday goodies for purchase.

For more information visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/christmas.