The Children’s Lantern Parade on Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m. will serve as the official launch for Christmas Magic in Downtown Madison 2014. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The Children’s Lantern Parade on Nov. 22 will serve as the official launch for Christmas Magic in Downtown Madison 2014.

Madison Arts Council (MAC) is hosting the children’s parade in its debut year. MAC scheduled free workshops at Dublin Park and Madison Public Library to help children make the lanterns, which are illuminated by battery-operated tea lights.

Children will line up at Clay House at 16 Main St. by 5:30 p.m. Parade participants will proceed eastward down Main Street, cross the railroad tracks and turn on Front Street to end at the Madison Gazebo.

Following the parade, at 6 p.m. decorated trees on the Village Green will be lighted for the Madison Mayor’s 2015 Christmas Tree Decorating Contest. Madison City Youth Orchestra will perform.

Mayor Troy Trulock started this exhibit last year so businesses, groups and individuals can express their creativity while decorating downtown. The tree decorators will vie for “Most Creative,” “Most Whimsical,” “Most Sophisticated,” “Mayor’s Choice,” “People’s Choice” and honorable mention. Voting cards will be available in downtown businesses, City Hall and Dublin Park.

Christmas Magic in Downtown Madison events will continue on Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. with the lighting of Christmas Card Lane. Artists and other creative residents have painted about 25 large placards or ‘cards’ measuring four by six feet for display in lawns along Church and Front streets and the historic district.

Also on Nov. 28, the lighting of Christmas decorations along Main Street will come alive at 5:30 p.m.

Christmas Magic in Downtown Madison will continue on Dec. 6 with the Historic Madison Christmas Tour of Homes, presented by the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10.

The Madison Christmas Parade on Dec. 13 will proceed from Plaza Boulevard, south on Hughes Road to reach downtown.

For more information, visit Christmas Magic in Downtown Madison and Madison Arts Council on Facebook.