Festive First Thursdays kickstarts December in downtown

First Thursdays is a celebration of Downtown Arlington culture where businesses partner with artists to show their creative spirit. Over 20 businesses were a part of the festive December “First Thursdays,” which ranged from ornament-making at Inclusion Coffee to the Creative Corner at the Downtown Public Library, with art, music and activities in between! 

The Levitt Pavilion Hospitality Center hosted Letters to Santa from 4 to 7 p.m. to kick off the December First Thursdays on Dec. 5.

Attendees of all ages were able to write letters and wishlists to be sent off to the North Pole.

Friendly eves helped children write their letters to Santa before sending them off to the North Pole.

The Levitt Holiday Market, sponsored by Mission Arlington, hosted local vendors with unique gift options during the Dec. 5 First Thursdays.

Various participating businesses including The Mosaic Market, Inclusion Coffee, Zetta Apartments and Kung Fu Tea allowed attendees to create their own ornaments.

The Miss Persis Studio of Dance hosted “Elves in the Window” at 7 p.m. on West Main Street during the Dec. 5 First Thursdays.

Miss Persis Studio of Dance's “Elves in the Window” allowed attendees to watch talented dancers perform festive holiday routines in the studio windows from the sidewalk.

The Howse Salon hosted a photo-op with the Grinch during the Dec. 5 First Thursdays where attendees could take selfies with the green grump.

The Downtown Arlington Public Library hosted Creative Corner x DIY Holiday Cheer for attendees to craft personalized ornaments and cards during the Dec. 5 First Thursdays.

During the Levitt Holiday Market, attendees could enjoy live music from UTA Jazz during the Dec. 5 First Thursday.

Attendees could stop by Ann’s Natural Grocery & Nutrition for a craft beer sample from local brewpub Dr. Jeckyll’s and listen to the live band Rotoscopic during the Dec. 5 First Thursdays.

Participating businesses like Kung Fu Tea decorated their stores for the festive December First Thursdays on Dec. 5.