Hey, Cola – Chloe here. Three of my #MustDo’s to kick off the holiday season: ✔ Switch to the Christmas radio station immediately after Halloween ✔ Start a Friendsgiving gameplan in the group chat ✔ Make plans to go to Vista Lights.

This year’s Vista Lights is the 33rd annual free celebration of open-house-style shopping, drinking + dining, festive festival-style entertainment and, of course, getting in the spirit with all of the twinkling holiday lights in the Vista district.

It’s this Thursday, Nov. 15, from 5-10 p.m. – and here are a few things on my Vista Lights bucket list this year:

🚙 Get there early to park (for free) in the City garage behind Aloft and drop off my toy donation (new + unwrapped) for Toys for Tots near Blue Marlin

💈 Get glam at Glowout’s braid bar with complimentary bubbly (before my crew arrives)

🧀 (Free) appetizer graze while browsing the local shops + art galleries staying open late

👯 Meet my mom + aunt at the stage to watch one of the dance performances (starting at 6:15) – most likely the Nutcracker Ballet Bon Bons from Carolina Ballet (I was one when I was little)

🎁 Grab a birthday gift for my coworker at the Merry Marketplace local vendor market

🦌 Make a reindeer food kit at the Free Kids Zone to take to my niece over Thanksgiving

☕ Get a chocolate abuelita (Mexican hot chocolate) from COA (823 Lady St., next to Aloft) – followed by a Wicked Weed Hop Cocoa ($5 from the beer tent with wristband)

🎄 Watch the tree lighting on stage at 7 p.m. (I missed it last year and was so. sad.)

🎺 Stay close to the stage after to hear Prettier than Matt (7:30-8) + Soda City Brass Band (8-9:45)

🎅 Take an awkward family photo with Santa and my boyfriend on Lincoln St.

🍷 Stop by smallSUGAR (in the old Wired Goat) to see the new space + get some mulled wine

🏃‍ Try out Escapology’s “hot seat” on Lincoln (and make a fool of myself)

🍜 Have a late-night snack off 929 Kitchen’s special menu (and see their DJ + snow blower)

What’s your Vista Lights tradition? Maybe we’ll bump into each other and talk about it Thursday night. See ya there.

Click here for full details, deals + event map.