McKinney -- The Christmas season is officially underway in historic downtown McKinney as crowds filled the city square Friday for the opening day of Home for the Holidays...a McKinney Christmas.

McKinney has mastered economic development and this event is the perfect example.  On one of the busiest shopping days of the year, McKinney pulls out all the stops to encourage families to shop downtown. Home for the Holidays...a McKinney Christmas is Black Friday, a White Christmas and a nice way to walk off that huge Thanksgiving feast -- all at the same time.

According to a representative of McKinney Chamber of Commerce, of every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in the local economy.  It is no accident that Black Friday and Small Business Saturday will find thousands of residents and visitors contributing to McKinney's burgeoning economy.

But commerce almost seems like an afterthought at Home for the Holidays...a McKinney Christmas.  Children ice skate or race down a snow hill on a tube.  Families sample festival food. Musicians perform on the main stage on the south side of McKinney Performing Arts Center.  Inside, actors perform A Christmas Carol. At sundown Friday night, city officials gave the signal to light the city Christmas tree.

If your family missed out on all this fun Friday, you are in luck because all this happens again Saturday, November 30 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.  as historic downtown McKinney is once again transformed into a winter wonderland.