It's a tradition in downtown Hartford made up of Christmas cheer and shopping.

A lot of shopping.

Midnight Madness was held on Friday, December 12 and had large crowds throughout the day and in the evening, according to Hartford Business Improvement District member Jason Wix.

"Midnight Madness is probably the biggest night of the year as far as retail sales in our downtown. The stores rely on this night to really get a big push into the final quarter of the year, to get over that hump. Shopping local means everything to these downtown businesses, restaurants and bars."

Jason and his wife Wendy own Faith and Giggles Gift Shop in downtown Hartford. He told WTKM that their cash register was heating up on a chilly night.

"You can't doubt the crowds when it comes to Midnight Madness, they don't care about the weather. They love the festive atmosphere. It was a great night. We had a crowd in here almost all day and lines that stretched to the door throughout the night."

Santa Claus was also downtown during the shopping event and met with the kids in the Link Building, before visiting each store in downtown Hartford greeting all of the shoppers.