Businesses in downtown Washington are spreading a little Christmas cheer with a second year of Festive Fridays.

As part of the occasion promoted by the Washington Harbor District Alliance, stores in the downtown area will stay open until 8 p.m., and both stores and restaurants will offer discounts, snacks or holiday activities on every Friday from Nov. 27-Dec. 18.

Beth Byrd, director of WHDA, said the idea came about last year, as businesses wanted to do something special for customers during the holiday season.

“It was actually merchants who wanted to organize and do something special,” she said. “It really shares our wonderful sense of community here, and it really highlights the festive atmosphere of Christmas in downtown.”

Byrd said Yvonne Sedgwick, one of the owners of Wine & Words in Washington, was instrumental in making Festive Fridays a reality last year, and other business owners have jumped on board to participate.

“The more and more merchants we get downtown … the more we encourage them to do the (promotional) activities in their stores,” she said. “It works out better for them.”

Organizers felt that having the shops stay open later was a vital part of promoting Festive Fridays and ensuring that most people could participate, even if they have to work late, she said.

Byrd said WHDA has done events in the past, such as scavenger hunts or its Hometown Holidays, but nothing quite like Festive Fridays.

“It gives a boost to the business on Friday night, and it also is just another way that our merchants can show how much they care,” she said.

Not to mention that customers can come to the downtown area to eat and shop, while also enjoying the lights, decorations and having a more personal shopping experience, according to Byrd.

She said shopping in this location is already a different experience than one would find at a larger chain store, but the Festive Fridays will help to highlight that personalized atmosphere.

Byrd said she hopes it will also enable businesses “to share that festive feeling that you get at Christmas” while also promoting the stores and restaurants, a win-win overall for businesses and their customers during the busy holiday season.

To see a list of participating businesses and their promotions, visit www.washingtononthewater.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/11/PDF-FOR-festive-friday-poster.pdf.