Kick off the holiday season at the 11th annual Lower Mills Holiday Stroll & Small Business Saturday. Shop, stroll and dine at dozens of local shops, restaurants, and small businesses in the historic Dorchester Lower Mills and Milton Village area. End with a tree lighting with Mayor Walsh at East Boston Savings Bank (2250 Dorchester Ave) at 7:30 p.m. Organized by the Lower Mills Civic Association and the Lower Mills Merchant’s Association.

Businesses will be staying open late to offer special discounts, coupons and samplings. Say hello to Santa and the singing carolers; shop at the pop-up holiday market at Pope John Paul II Academy on Dorchester Avenue. Be sure to visit the beautiful Baker Chocolate Artists Lofts to see original art by resident artists, listen to live music by the Chocoleleles (a ukulele band), and visit with Anthony Sammarco, local historian and author of histories of the Baker Chocolate Company, Jordan Marsh, Howard Johnson and many other local treasures. On the Milton side, The Forbes House Museum will be sponsoring a holiday open house.

Ride the free trolley between the Lower Mills and Milton Village business districts, with several stops along the way. Pick up maps at participating sites or on the trolley.