Held annually on at the Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., the Reindeer Festival begins Saturday Dec. 1.

Visitors will get to sit in Santa’s Grand Traveling Sleigh, write a letter to Santa, leaving it in his post office or handing it to the big man himself.

There will be face painting by an elf, warm beverages and, of course, reindeer.

The festival will run through Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Santa will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Proceeds from the festival go toward supporting the reindeer, their animal friends and several educational programs offered at the zoo.

For more information please visit www.cougarmountainzoo.org.