With roasted chestnuts, fires for warming cold hands and a bit of holiday cheer the annual Whitefish Christmas Stroll is set for Friday, Dec. 7 in downtown Whitefish.

The event is co-sponsored by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and Northwestern Energy. The stroll runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with various activities throughout the evening. Enjoy shopping, alpine bell ringers, photos with Santa for kids and pets, street vendors selling food and hand crafted items, plus many stores will hold special activities.

Three additional events are new to the stroll this year.

Dori Muehlhof with the chamber said the changes are the result of responses to the chamber’s annual member survey.

“They said the stroll could be so much more,” she said. “We did a little research and looked at what events are popular — the tree lighting ceremony was one of those.”

A tree lighting ceremony in Depot Park will take place at 6:15 p.m.

A gingerbread house contest challenges children, home cooks and professionals to assemble a complete edible holiday creation. Registration for the contest begins at 5 p.m. at the chamber tent at Third Street and Central Avenue and the winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m. at the main stage.

Also new is a shopper’s drawing to encourage folks to shop and dine in Whitefish during the stroll. Anyone who makes a purchase from a Whitefish merchant/restaurant that night can enter the drawing. Folks must show their receipts at the chamber tent and will receive one raffle ticket for every $10 spent. The drawing will take place at 8:30 p.m. The winner need not be present to win and will be contacted via phone. More than 45 local businesses have donated to this prize package.

Muehlhof said the drawing also came from feedback.

“We heard from businesses who wanted the stroll to drive retail and not just community activities,” she said. “This is an effort to get people to shop. We’re looking at more than $1,000 in value for the prize package at this point.”

The Great Northern Brewing Company has taken the year off from hosting the K9 Keg Pull, but the event still could take place at future strolls.