Kingfisher’s downtown holiday season begins in the usual way next Sunday with a little bit of Thanksgiving and a whole lot of Christmas.

With the help of Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce, downtown merchants and restaurants are hosting their annual Holiday Open House beginning at noon Sunday.

But festivities start even sooner with the return of the annual Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church’s Turkey Dinner, served carry-out only this year beginning at 10:30 a.m.

If you’re looking for a sitdown Thanksgiving feast, check out the Stack Grill, which will serve turkey and all the fixings for dine-in or carry-out.

Other eating options will be available at Snider’s Buffet & Catering and Mimi’s Sweets & Eats.

You can pick up a lunch and dine al fresco this year at one of several tables that will be set up on sidewalks in front of local stores, which will be offering deals galore for early Christmas shopping.

Check out advertising inside this editon for Angelita & Co., Baby-In-Bloom, Designs by Dennis, Dog Wash Town and Wear House Mercantile.

More bargains can be had with a number of local vendors and crafts people at a pop-up market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 312 N. Main St.

Photos with Santa (2- 4:30 p.m.) and snowcones (12-5 p.m.) will be available at the same location.

A decades-long tradition, Kingfisher’s Holiday Open House serves as the official opening of the Christmas shopping season for downtown retailers, who depend on holiday spending for a large portion of their annual income.

A downtown alternative to Black Friday, the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving shop fest that usually draws dollars away from local merchants to big city or online stores, is also planned this year.

“Pink Friday” will offer extended shopping hours from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 19 at participating downtown stores, culminating with a tree-lighting ceremony outside the new Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 110 E. Broadway Ave.

Watch for more details closer to the event.