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Christmas might seem distant at six months away, but the Winchester Downtown Program Corp. is holding a special event Friday evening to give residents and visitors an advance on their holiday spirit.

Christmas in July will be held on the Winchester Square from 6-9:30 p.m., featuring live musical performances in all the downtown restaurants, plus the band Sugar Lime Blue will be performing at the city’s amphitheater at 8 p.m.

Event-goers are encouraged to enjoy the music, art, shopping, food and door prizes.

Ricky Tipps, the new WDPC director who is chairing the event, said Christmas in July continues the program’s highly popular Winchester Wriggle series which is held once in the spring and again in the fall.

Tipps said he wanted to try something different and hold the fall Wriggle in July to add variety to the series.

“I just wanted to change it up a bit,” he said, adding that previous Christmas in July events were held, but it has been several years since the last one occurred. “This seemed like a good time to try something different.

“Christmas in July will be a fun event, and we encourage people to come out and have some fun on Friday night, enjoy the great food and fun opportunities and have a great time in bringing the community together.”

Featured fun activities include Santa Claus on the Square, a kissing booth for photo opportunities and a mistletoe section underneath the Oldham Theatre’s marquee.

Tipps highlighted one of the greatest aspects about Christmas in July.

“It’s a free event,” he said.

The first Wriggle of 2023 was held on May 5 and was chaired by City Councilwoman Barbara Lucas.

She said it proved to be a success featuring live music, a dog show, art shows, live artists, a plant sale, food trucks, singers, Native American dancers and local stores staying open for business. 

“The event is meant to draw community interest to downtown Winchester,” Lucas said, referring to the Wriggle series, then reflecting on May 5. “The weather cooperated for the event, even though the Wriggle would go on, rain or shine. Many locals and tourists joined in on the fun on the Winchester Square by shopping and enjoying a night out on the town.”