KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A Knox County shopping center kicked off the Christmas season on Tuesday with several holiday related activities for families.

The Renaissance Farragut’s annual Christmas festival was themed after an old fashions downtown Christmas. The festival included cookie making, ornament decorating, candy, an orchestra, bell choir and even ballet dancers performing The Nutcracker.

"This is just to get everybody out and to learn a little more about what's here at the Renaissance,” said Wendy Schopp, a financial adviser for Edward Jones, “to just get everybody in the Christmas mood and to help benefit Toys for Tots."

Kids were also able to their picture taken with Santa.

According to Schopp, businesses in the Renaissance hoped the event would also encourage customers to come back to the shopping center.