Picayune Main Street will present its fifth annual “Shop by Candlelight” this Friday on Canal Street.

Shops and restaurants all along Canal Street will extend their hours of operation for the event, which will last from 5 until 9 p.m., said Reba Beebe of Picayune Main Street in a phone interview on Monday. Various shops will have special sales and offer refreshments for shoppers during the event.

While this is the fifth year for “Shop by Candlelight,” Beebe said this is only the third year in which other special events such as carriage rides, photos with Santa, a live Nativity and Christmas carols will have taken place.

This year, the live Nativity will be held in the Crystal Gallery parking lot from 6 until 9 p.m., with the manger animals provided by Dr. Jason Leonard.

Pegasus Carriage will provide carriage rides on East Canal Street near June Bugs from 5 until 9 p.m. Tillison Carriages will provide rides on West Canal during the same time frame, picking up passengers and dropping themoff in front of the Glass Porch.

Children will have opportunities for photos with Santa at the Little Angels Boutique and at Giaise Photography.

The First Baptist Church of Carriere will be singing Christmas Carols at the Main Street Clock from 6 until 7 p.m., and then Sonnett Dance Studio will perform a Christmas Ballet and hip-hop dance routine on West Canal by Oleander’s Gallery.

Picayune On Stage members will be appearing throughout the night all along Canal Street dressed as various characters from Charles Dickens.

Also, the Picayune Teen Board will be selling hot chocolate and treats in front of MeLinda’s throughout the evening.

Beebe said there will be another late night shopping event in December, but there will not be any of the extra activities that are included at “Shop by Candlelight.”

“We have late-night shopping on December 14, but it’s different from this night in that it is strictly for shops to stay open late so shoppers can finish their last-minute Christmas shopping. ‘Shop by Candlelight’ is a family event that has activities for all ages,” Beebe said.