Olde Mistick Village glows with more than 6,000 luminarias, as the site hosts entertainment and the appearance of 51 Miss America contestants.

The merchants of Olde Mistick Village present the annual Festival of Lights Friday, with festive lights lining the village's paths. While visitors can wander through the 40-plus shops looking for gifts, they can also meet and take photos with all of this year's Miss America contenders, who will compete at the pageant culminating on Dec. 16 at Mohegan Sun.

Santa will be on hand from 6 to 9 p.m. in front of Sofia’s Mystic Christmas Shop. The Festive Brass Ensemble will play starting at 6 p.m. in the gazebo. And around the village, carolers will sing, Fly by Night folks will juggle, and Too Tall Santa will walk on stilts.

Festival of Lights, 4:30-9 p.m. Friday, Olde Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic; oldemistickvillage.com.