Clark and other aldermen gestured as Market New Haven and other downtown boosters revealed winter plans to attract holiday visitors downtown.

This year, the city's holiday tree, 65 feet tall, is "bigger and better than ever," said Barbara Lamb, director of the city's Office of Cultural Affairs. It's so big they ran out of lights, twice, preparing for next Thursday's tree lighting ceremony, when the New Haven Green will come alive with the tree's intense glow, the sound of local choirs, and carousel rides. Festivities, all free, last from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Read on for a few highlights of what's going on.

Culture-seekers: See the Nutcracker, a gospel musical and the New Haven Symphony concert at dowtown theaters.

Shoppers: Vote on the best storefront decoration downtown, and enter a drawing to win a $500 shopping spree. See live manikins inside Audobon Street stores. Spend money at downtown shops, and get: A free drink if you spend over $50; a free ticket to the Criterion Cinema if you spend over $100; and both if you spend over $200.

Kids: Design your own bags to become part of the "luminaria" — a display of 1,200 white bags with candles in them, lighting up the walkways on the upper Green.

For details on all the above and more, visit the Info New Haven website.