FREEPORT – Those looking for a fun way to kick off the holiday shopping season should make plans to be in downtown Freeport on Black Friday, Nov. 23, as the FreeportUSA merchants’ association marks the start of the season with its annual Moonlight Madness event.

Moonlight Madness features events, activities, tastings, and sales all night long. It kicks off in the late evening hours of Thanksgiving Day, when a special run of the Amtrak Downeaster will pull into town, acting as a temporary “sleigh” for a holiday passenger – Santa Claus himself. Santa will come to Boston from the North Pole at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, board the train at Boston’s North Station along with all the other passengers heading north to Freeport, bringing gifts, prizes and holiday spirit to all on board.

Once in Freeport, Santa will disembark from the train and hop on board a Harley (due to a strict Amtrak policy, reindeer are not allowed on the Downeaster), where, at midnight, he will lead a group of runners in a “fun run” down Main Street. The first 50 runners to cross the finish line will be awarded prizes.

Then at 12:01 a.m. on Black Friday, the shopping begins. The following businesses will be open during the “Moonlight Madness” event for shopping and late-night/early morning dining: American Eagle, The Children’s Place outlet, Cole Haan, Island Treasure Toys, J. Crew Factory, Jockey, Jones New York, Jos. A. Bank factory store, L.L.Bean, L.L.Bean Home store, L.L.Bean Bike, Boat & Ski, L.L.Bean Outlet, the Lobster Cooker, Mexicali Blues, Nine West, North Face, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sea Bags, Tommy Hilfiger, as well as all the stores of Freeport Village Station, Haggar, Brooks Brothers factory store, Coach, Talbot’s outlet, Wilson’s Leather, Johnny Rockets, Dairy Queen, VanHuesen, Oakley Vault, Calvin Klein, Sunglass Hut, PacSun, Izod, Famous Footwear Outlet, Lids, Bass, Corningware and Lindt Chocolate.

For more information, visit www.freeportusa.com.

Downtown Freeport will be all lit up for the holidays as the FreeportUSA merchants association holds its annual Moonlight Madness at midnight on Friday, Nov. 23.