Do you ever fear for the sanity of folks who work in year-round Christmas stores? Or at least worry that, when it actually IS the holiday season, they're utterly desensitized?

On the other hand, if you walk through and absorb the sparkly greatness of the annual Festival of Lights in Olde Mistick Village ... well, it creates a sort of indelible holiday glow that seems like it will never fade. Starting at dusk on Friday and lasting until 9:30 p.m., the entire village will shimmer and dazzle with decorations and over 6,000 luminaries.

There's plenty of entertainment, too. The Fly-by-Night Comedy Jugglers will perform throughout, and people can enjoy seasonal music from Ragtime Too!, the Festive Brass Ensemble, and carolers from Ledyard and Stonington High Schools and Tyl Middle School. And, yes, from 6 to 8 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet children in front of Sophia's Magical Christmas near the Village Green.

Festival of Lights, dusk-9:30 p.m. Friday, Olde Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic; free; (860) 536-4941.