The Oxford Downtown Development Authority’s annual Soup & Sweet Stroll will return from 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1.

Guests will be invited to take a stroll up and down Washington Street, sampling signature hors d’oeuvres, soups and a variety of sweet treats.

Downtown Oxford retailers will be open to offer an array of gift options to holiday shoppers.

The event is meant to highlight the wide variety of food and shopping available in Oxford’s downtown area, according to DDA Executive Director Glenn Pape.

“It’s an opportunity for people outside the community to see what downtown Oxford is all about and to get some exposure to all of our stores and restaurants, as well as just kick off the holiday season,” said Pape.

Other activities throughout the event will include a visit with Santa Claus, warming barrels, holiday performances by Oxford Community Schools choirs and a petting farm.

The highlight of the evening will include a tree lighting in Centennial Park at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the event will be sold in Centennial Park from 5:45 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. Prices are $5 per adult or $10 per family.

All proceeds from the event will go to the DDA, which strives to promote, develop, and preserve downtown Oxford.