The holiday shopping season got off to a festive start on Friday, as Santa and friends arrived at Manhattan Village Mall with a parade and great fanfare.

As a crowd of a few hundred looked on, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty, Rudolph, a gingerbread man, a Christmas elf, a Christmas fairy, a man on stilts, and more holiday characters paraded into the mall. City officials including City Councilmember Wayne Powell and former Mayor Richard Montgomery joined in the festivities on the float and in police vehicles.

The Mira Costa High School marching band and color guard led the parade with holiday music.

Inside the mall, kids got a chance to participate in gingerbread cookie decorating, face painting, and balloon artistry.

Santa began his traditional seating for pictures. Photos with Santa will continue at the mall through Christmas Eve; articipants will receive a free plush toy with purchase of a photo package while supplies last.