Conimicut Village is known for its quaint charm and close-knit community. Every year, villagers come together to celebrate Christmas with a tree-lighting ceremony and schoolchildren caroling at Donovan Park in the Village Center.

This year, something magical will happen, promise Conimicut Village Association President Leslie Derrig and Committee Chair Colleen Collins. The pair have been planning for months to make this Christmas celebration the biggest and best yet.

Derrig hinted over the summer that something special would be added to the event. She didn’t offer any more clues last week, other than to say in a news release that “it should make this year's event unforgettable.” Not even the associations’ more-than-200 members have the details of what’s planned, although they got a preview in an email Saturday. One CVA member, Mayor Frank Picozzi, has the skinny, but he’s keeping the secret.

The intrigue has people marking their calendars for Friday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. The CVA has invited news media to capture the magical evening. As the clock strikes 5, the village will be bustling. Children 9 and younger will be lined up at the Tiger Eye Gift Store to decorate their free Santa hats with their names.

The Conimicut Library will be open to the public, offering crafts and hot chocolate. The streets will be filled with face-painters and balloon-twisters. Local businesses will set up tents around the village, selling all kinds of holiday crafts and items. A fire truck will roar into the village, carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus, who later will help children write letters to Santa. The Hoxsie Elementary School Choir will sing carols at the Woodbury Church, joined by the jolly couple for a story or two.

A photo booth will be set up for families to capture their special moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus. As the evening progresses, the surprises will keep coming. A professional photographer and props will be available for free family photos, perfect for holiday cards. Two DJs will play fun and interactive songs at Donovan Park, while a fire dancer will mesmerize the crowd.

In her email, Derrig said Mayor Picozzi has arranged to close West Shore Road between Transit Street and Maplewood Avenue. Traffic will be rerouted to one-way streets, “and the village will quickly be turned into a winter wonderland. We recommend you consider coming home early and parking off the streets so we can accommodate the revelers.”

She said maps with a timeline and activities will be handed out and emailed in advance. Carolers from Hoxsie School will sing their joys after the lighting of the tree.

Businesses will be open for business and offering their food fare outside on a table set up for their specialty food and drink. Tiger Eye will be open for business and offer a workshop for kids 9 and younger to decorate a free Santa hat with their name. Free face-painters and balloon-twisters will be working diligently on accommodating all the demands. A Pop & Play board will be set up with balloons and prizes where $20 gifts will be won with each pop.

 Businesses will also be setting up tents around the village, offering holiday crafts and items for sale.

A violinist will walk the area playing seasonal songs; two DJs will be playing their playlist of fun and interactive songs at Donovan Park; the Tree Lighting will take place at 5:30; the real Grinch and Cindy Lu will read and entertain the children; caramel corn will be for sale; Woodbury Church members are offering drinks and snacks; the Conimicut Library will have hot chocolate and crafts.

Restaurants and food trucks will offer free water with their food specials.

“But the biggest surprise will still be to come,” says Derrig. She said as the clock strikes 7, a hush will fall over the village, “a magical surprise will fill the street, marking the start of the holiday season.”

“Goosebumps will overcome everyone, and the night will end with the village buzzing with chatter and laughter,” she adds.