By Loretta Fulton

Christmas concerts, theatrical performances, lights by the millions, a party in Storybook Garden, a parade, a Christmas Vespers service, and much more will usher in the Christmas season in Abilene in early December.

The season officially begins Tuesday, Dec. 3, with the downtown City Sidewalks Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. Before that, a pre-party will be held 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Festival Park between the Abilene Convention Center and the DoubleTree by Hilton on North Sixth Street.

The parade route will be different this year, due to construction on Cypress Street. The parade will begin at South Second and Oak streets, travel north, turn right onto North First Street, and then turn left onto Walnut Street. The parade will travel north on Walnut to North Sixth Street, turn left onto North Sixth and left onto Pine Street. The parade will continue down Pine Street under the overpass onto Chestnut Street and end at South Third Street.

Earlier in the day, Hardin-Simmons University invites the public to a free Christmas Carol Sing in Logsdon Chapel at 2 p.m. That evening, McMurry University invites you to the annual Deck the Quad festivities, with lighting of the Quad, seasonal drinks from Ounce Coffee, photos with Santa, and more. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m.

Following are some of the events that will be held in early December. To get an event listed, email information to editor@spiritofabilene.com. Also send Christmas Eve services information to the same address.

Pre-Christmas parade party 
The first-ever Christmas parade pre-party is scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in Festival Park between the Abilene Convention Center and the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Abilene. 

The party is a prelude to the City Sidewalks Christmas parade, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The first 150 guests get free hot cocoa, cider, cookies, popcorn, and a special Broadway in the Big Country ornament. The part also will feature holiday movies, selfies with the Grinch roaming the park. Bar drinks and food will be available.

HSU Christmas Carol Sing
Everyone who loves singing Christmas carols is invited to Logsdon Chapel on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3.

A Christmas Carol Sing will feature the singing of familiar carols, Christmas readings, and performances by the HSU music ensembles. 

Deck the McMurry Quad
McMurry University will light up the Quad beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3.

The evening activities include holiday drinks from Ounce Coffee, giveaways, photos with Santa, and much more. 

Christmas in the Storybook Garden
Abilene Cultural Affairs Council presents Christmas in the Garden  Friday, Dec. 6.

Two sessions will be held. 5-6 p.m. or 6-7 p.m. Tickets for each are $15 per family. Preregistration is required. 

Events will be in the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden in front of the Convention Center downtown. Meet Santa Claus and his Martian friends, with Abilene author Penny Parker Klostermann. She will debut her new hit book “Merry Christmas, Dear Mars” with space-themed games, food, crafts and costume characters. Penny will read her book on the garden stage.

Wylie Baptist ‘Abilene Christmas Spectacular’
Wylie Baptist Church will present its Abilene Christmas Spectacular Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 8.

Performances times:
Friday, 7 p.m.
Saturday, 4 p.m.
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Sunday, 4 p.m.

Tickets are free, but required. They can be picked up at the church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road. Call the church office to reserve tickets, 692-3206.

ACT presents ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’
Abilene Community Theater, 809 Barrow St., presents, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Friday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 15.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. each evening, except Sundays, Dec. 8 and 15. On those days, matinees will be presented at 2 p.m. Click here for tickets.

“Nobody is ready for the mayhem and surprises that ensue when six of the worst youngsters disrupt the town’s yearly Christmas performance.”

Abilene Philharmonic presents A Country Christmas
The Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra will present A County Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Abilene Convention Center.

Guest performers will be Nashville luminaries Rachel Potter (The X Factor) and Patrick Thomas (The Voice). Click here for tickets. 

ACU Christmas Vespers
Abilene Christian University Choirs will present the annual Christmas Vespers service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at First Baptist Church.

“Hark, The Angels Sing!” is free to the public. The program includes choral music and scripture readings.

Abilene Community Band Christmas concert
The Abilene Community Band will present its Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the Paramount Theater.

Admission is free. Donations support the Joe Stephens Community Band Endowment Fund.

United Way Winter Lightfest 
Winter Lightfest, which benefits the United Way of Abilene, opened Saturday, Nov. 30, and runs through Saturday, Dec. 28.

In between those dates, you’ll have 13 chances to see the magnificent light display, which is a partnership between the United Way and Christmas Decor by Lone Star Electric. Click here for details.

Santa and his reindeer at the zoo
Santa and some of his reindeer will join the other exotic animals at the Abilene Zoo for a magical Christmas experience Dec. 13-23. 

The Abilene Zoo Christmas Celebration, a partnership with Reliant Energy, will feature Candy Cane Lane, reindeer stables, Walk to Bethlehem, Tunnel of Lights, and more. Children can make a toy in Santa’s Toy Workshop, decorate a cookie at Mrs. Claus’s Texas Bakery, and visit Arctic Lights. Click here for details.

A Texas Christmas Carol
KACU. Abilene’s National Public Radio station, will present a live radio play at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Paramount Theater.

The play, “A Texas Christmas Carol,” is an adaptation by the late Barry Smoot, who for many years was the artistic director at the Paramount. Click here for tickets.

“Based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, ‘A Texas Christmas Carol’ moves us from Victorian England to the Depression in Texas, specifically Dickens, Texas, 1933. Interspersed with classic Christmas carols and hymns, ‘A Texas Christmas Carol’ is a simple story of Eb Scrooge’s plan of fencing off the town’s water supply, leading to visits from ghosts of his past, present and future, to give us a tale of sin, revelation and redemption.”

Winter solstice celebration
The winter solstice will be celebrated 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Cassy’s, 141 Ruby St.

The shop will be open 1-8:30 p.m. that day. The Ancestor Tree and Your Light is Eternal ornaments will be available.

The annual bowl burning and releasing ritual will be held 6:30-8:30. Participants release those things that they do not wish to carry into the new year. 

“Spend the evening with Community and share a cup of our specially blended hot cider or hot chocolate to warm your spirit!”

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene