NORFOLK, Neb.-- The holiday spirit is in full swing in downtown Norfolk with lights, music, and the hometown holidays festival happening on Tuesday.

“Santa’s going to be in town, we’ll light the Christmas tree, there’s a ping pong drop,” Director of River Point Creative District Kara Weander-Gaster said. “So there’s a bunch of things that different organizations are doing for hometown holidays that night, there’s going to be a lighted parade.”

Organizations like The River Point Creative District, Visit Norfolk and more will hosting things like the ping pong drop which gives people prizes from local businesses, elves will be walking around to help guests, and of course, Santa will be hearing lists from children.

Family fun will fill the night on the 25th but from November 20 to December 20 there is a pop-up shop downtown for local artists to get recognized.

“Some of your favorite artists that you’ve known for a long time in Norfolk, along with some folks that have just graduated from Wayne State,” Weander-Gaster said. “What’s also neat is a lot of folks they might be people that you know and you didn’t know that they create things.”

Artists have their work on display and for sale all month long. One local artist David DeCarolis creates pottery and knows just how special a homemade gift is during this season.

“Giving a handmade gift has always been the best tradition about the holidays,” DeCarolis said. “And here somebody can walk in and find an amazing piece of art that was created by somebody in our local community.”

The pop-up is only open on select days and Saturdays will have extra events, like artists in the store and more.