The Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade travels down Main Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.Crystal Shelton/Special to The Tri-City Record
The Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade travels down Main Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.Crystal Shelton/Special to The Tri-City RecordCrystal Shelton

Aztec Sparkles celebration began Friday with the lighting of luminarias at the Aztec Ruins, continued Saturday morning with the Santa Dash, and ended Saturday night a parade and tree lighting.

The Santa Dash on Main Avenue extension kicked off the events on Saturday morning, and along the course, businesses and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored free hot chocolate, ornament making, face painting, letters to Santa, hay rides, balloon animals, a scavenger hunt and photos with Santa.

Aztec Mayor Michael Padilla got the parade started at 6 p.m. on Main Avenue with a statement acknowledging the Chamber of Commerce, which took over parade operations from the city this year.

Hundreds of residents lined Main Avenue as the parade headed to Minium Park, where a tree was lighted to wrap up the Aztec Sparkles celebration.

Battery-powered lanterns illuminate the ancient building known as "The Great House" at the Aztec Ruins during the annual Evening of Lights event on Friday.Crystal Shelton/Special to the Tri-City Record
Battery-powered lanterns illuminate the ancient building known as "The Great House" at the Aztec Ruins during the annual Evening of Lights event on Friday.Crystal Shelton/Special to the Tri-City RecordCrystal Shelton
Children paly in fake snow from the Inspire Dance Company float on Main St. during the Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.Crystal Shelton/Special to The Tri-City Record
Children paly in fake snow from the Inspire Dance Company float on Main St. during the Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.Crystal Shelton/Special to The Tri-City RecordCrystal Shelton
Attendees gather around the Christmas tree in Minium Park after Aztec Mayor, Michael Padilla Sr lit the Tree following the Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.Crystal Shelton/Special to The Journal
Attendees gather around the Christmas tree in Minium Park after Aztec Mayor, Michael Padilla Sr lit the Tree following the Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.Crystal Shelton/Special to The JournalCrystal Shelton
Five-year-old Maya Vega makes a gnome Christmas ornament at the Aztec Museum with help from their intern, Bella. Before the Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade rolled down Main Avenue businesses along the route hosted various activities and treats for children and families including hot cocoa, ornament making, pictures with Santa and more on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Crystal Shelton/Special to The Tri-City Record
Five-year-old Maya Vega makes a gnome Christmas ornament at the Aztec Museum with help from their intern, Bella. Before the Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade rolled down Main Avenue businesses along the route hosted various activities and treats for children and families including hot cocoa, ornament making, pictures with Santa and more on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Crystal Shelton/Special to The Tri-City RecordCrystal Shelton