The city of Akron rolled out its schedule of holiday events on Wednesday and unveiled the design for the new First Night admission button.

This year's downtown Akron festivities -- expected to draw 400,000 visitors -- include some firsts, such as a trolley that will run about every 15 minutes, stopping at various downtown Holidayfest venues.

The Holidayfest trolley also will visit, between Nov. 25 and Dec. 10, the new $35 million Northside Lofts development on the north end of downtown on Furnace Street for what is touted as the country's first ``vertical parade of homes.'' Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors. Children under 15 free.

Meanwhile, a massive calendar of 38 panels measuring 6 by 15 feet will cover the wall of the O'Neil's parking deck next to Lock 3 Park. A new panel, each decorated by local schools and community groups, will be unveiled daily, counting down the days to First Night.

This year's First Night admission button is a jack-in-the-box bursting out with a jester's cap and snowflake collar. The buttons, designed by Hudson artist Jon C. Lund, are $10 and go on sale Nov. 24. Children under 10 are admitted free.

Holiday events this year include:

• Nov. 18-26: Holiday Tree Festival at John S. Knight Center, 77 East Mill St.

• Nov. 24: The third annual Holidayfest begins with a lighting show, Santa and fireworks at 7 p.m. at Lock 3 Park. The Chriskindl Market at Lock 3, featuring vendors from Akron's sister city in Germany, Chemnitz, opens with crafts and food through Dec. 31. The ice skating rink opens at Lock 3 and stays open through Feb. 19 (free admission, $2 skate rental).

• Nov. 25: Welcome Santa Parade, noon, downtown Akron.

• Nov. 25: The Nutcracker, 2 and 7 p.m., Akron Civic Theater, 182 S. Main St.; Nov. 26, 2 p.m.; Dec. 1, 7 p.m.; Dec. 2, 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 3, 2 p.m.

• Dec. 8: 7:30 p.m, Larry Wilgus' Christmas Music Spectacular, Akron Civic Theatre. Also at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 3 p.m. Dec. 10.

• Dec. 8: Holiday Pops with the Akron Symphony, E.J. Thomas Hall, 7:30 p.m.

• Dec. 8-9: German Miner Band from Chemnitz at Lock 3, 12:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m.; also 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17; and 12:30, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15-16.

• Dec. 10: German Heritage & Carol Service, Zion Lutheran Church, 139 S. High St., 3 p.m.

• Dec. 15-17: Summit Choral Society Christmas Candlelight Concerts at St. Bernard Church, corner of Broadway and University Street, 7:30 p.m.

• Dec. 17: Tuba Christmas, 4 and 6:30 p.m., Akron Civic Theatre.

• Dec. 31: First Night.

For more information online about these events and other attractions, visit these Web sites:

www.holidayfest.org

www.ChildrensBalletTheatre.org

www.akroncivic.com

www.firstnightakron.org

www.summitchoralsociety.org