Chatting with Santa at the 2010 event

Mercy Whitney | For AnnArbor.com

On the night known as Midnight Madness in downtown Ann Arbor, parents can escape the hustle and bustle for a free holiday event at AnnArbor.com.

The open house-style event, which will take place Dec. 2 from 5-7 p.m., will feature photos with Santa, refreshments, holiday music, crafts, and holiday stories read by members of the AnnArbor.com staff. It will be located in the AnnArbor.com Community Space at 301 E. Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor.

Kids can talk with Santa while a professional photographer captures the moment. Parents will have the option to purchase prints of the photos, which will also appear in a gallery on the website, similar to last year's event.

The event coincides with Midnight Madness, downtown's kickoff to the holiday season, when stores stay open late and offer sales and warm comfort to shoppers.