Streets, churches and performance halls will be filled with the sights and sounds of the holiday season as the next few weeks draw closer to Christmas Day.
The first weekend of Advent begins in Jefferson City with the Downtown Lighting Ceremony at 4:30 p.m. today on High Street.
On Saturday, about 75 local, small businesses will put their best foot forward for Small Business Saturday. Free trolley rides will be available and Santa will be at the downtown Central Bank branch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Old-Fashioned Christmas on the Square will be from 5-8 p.m. Saturday in Versailles. Vendors will set up around the courthouse square, the Versailles choir will sing on the courthouse steps and Santa will arrive on the Versailles Rural Fire Department Fire Engine. Then, children are invited to sit on Santa's lap at the Royal Theater.
Also Saturday, Laurie will put on its annual Lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m., ending at the mall.
Several churches in the community will begin their weekly studies and worship during the Advent season and some will celebrate with Hanging of the Greens activities.
The Capital City's big Christmas event weekend will begin with the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Rotary Centennial Park. The Monticello Singers will perform a holiday concert following at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.
The long-standing tradition of Downtown Living Windows continues from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5, as storefronts are filled with music, dancing and the delights of the season. Hayrides wind their way through the streets and Santa Claus makes his yearly visit to Hawthorn Bank. More than 50 groups will fill three blocks of High Street from Jefferson to Adams streets.
The 75th Annual Jefferson City Jaycees Christmas Parade will take to downtown streets at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
Other area activities the first weekend in December will include Christmas on the square in Camdenton and Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. at the Callaway Senior Center in Fulton.
And the city's 28th Annual Christmas Home Tour and Decorating Contest deadline is noon Dec. 5. Decorated homes may be judged in five categories: Christmas Elegance, Best Use of Lights, Best Use of Christmas Characters, Best Religious Display and City's Best.
The 77th Annual Capitol Caroling will begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the Capitol Rotunda. The Jefferson City Public Schools fine arts department tradition will include performances by the Jefferson City High School Symphonic Band, High School Orchestra, Chorale, Simonsen Choirs and the JCHS Concert Choir.
Another festive music opportunity the second week of December includes the St. Joseph Cathedral School band Christmas concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Miller Performing Arts Center.
The 10th Annual Candy Cane Hunt, sponsored by the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, will be Dec. 9-12. Children may walk along a holiday path, visit with Santa and his helpers, decorate cookies and find candy canes at department's North Jefferson City multipurpose building.
The third weekend of Advent is filled with musical opportunities.
The Festival of Light "Night of Hope" will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 12-14 plus a 3 p.m. Dec. 13 matinee at Concord Baptist Church.
A benefit concert featuring Ernie Haase Signature Sound Christmas Tour will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Miller Performing Arts Center. The tour will benefit the ACT Project, which provides emotional and financial relief to patients while undergoing cancer treatment.
The community's Cantorum will present its 47th annual holiday concert "Christmas Time is Here" at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Miller Performing Arts Center, featuring new arrangements and choral classics of the holiday season.
Other area events the second weekend in December include the Eldon Business Windows and Tree Lighting Ceremony form 6-8 p.m. Dec. 13 and Old Tyme Christmas in Linn Creek at 2 p.m. when the Young Museum Players will present "I Hate Christmas" by Marty Dubatschek.
And, Heisinger Bluffs Auxiliary will host its 22nd annual Christmas Tour of Homes 1-5 p.m. Dec. 14.
The third weekend in Advent is filled with Christmas cantatas and children's programs at area churches.
The Winter Ice Recital will be performed at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Washington Park Ice Arena. Skaters of all ages and abilities will perform routines to the sounds of the season.
For those looking for things to do following Christmas Day, three area drive-thru lighted events are open through Jan. 1.
Enchanted Village of Lights and the St. Patrick's Festival of Lights are in Laurie, and the Unity Circle of Lights is in Versailles.
And to bring in the new year, a live band, dancing, cocktails and dinner are part of the New Year's Party at The Lodge of Four Seasons Dec. 31.