Free photos with Santa Claus in Michigan City at Saturday's tree lighting

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Santa Claus will arrive at Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets on Saturday at 5 p.m. for the annual tree lighting.

Santa will arrive in his "sleigh" courtesy of the Michigan City Fire Department.

Organizers say Santa will light the Christmas Tree in the main courtyard near Banana Republic, LOFT Outlet, and Vera Bradley. 

The man in red will then ride his golf cart sleigh around the mall for free visits and photos with shoppers. Santa will also appear on select dates for free photos.

Those Funny Little People, a group of life-sized puppets who dance and sing, and appeared on the show America’s Got Talent in 2011, will join Santa at the celebration.

Those Funny Little People will perform a 20-minute show at the gazebo by Auntie Anne’s Cinnabon and Café Chocolate - The South Bend Chocolate Company.

The group will also be available for free photos with shoppers.

Organizers say a new addition this year is a live reindeer.  After the tree lighting, the reindeer will be by the former Information Center to pet and take free photos.

There will be a variety food trucks at the 6th Street entrance outside the former Information Center including Culinary Gangster, Roundbelly’s Pizza, Tako Party Food Truck, Tocayos Express, and Wilson’s Slam Dunk BBQ.

Lighthouse Place is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, with the festivities running from 5 to 7 p.m. The food trucks will be on site all day.

Free photos with Santa will be hosted inside the former Information Center.

Santa will greet families with a candy cane for each visitor and receive a limited-edition Lighthouse Place ornament, while supplies last. 

Santa will be back on the following dates:

• Black Friday - Nov. 29 - 2 to 4 p.m.

• Saturdays - Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 - 2 to 4 p.m.

You can find more info and updates on the official Facebook event page.