The Shepherdstown Visitors Center has released a detailed schedule of the town’s 2016 Christmas celebration, which will begin Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving, and run through Dec. 24.

The Nov. 25 events will include a evening bonfire, the lighting of the town tree, the arrival of Santa, and children’s visits with Santa.

After that, there will be many different events every weekend and some weekdays. Most events will be free. Every weekend will include children’s activities; holiday marketplaces selling handmade crafts, baked goods, and greens; and special musical performances. Many shops will be open late on Fridays and Saturdays.

The town will hold its annual Christmas parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

New for this year will be a “You Shop, They Play” child-minding service that will be available every Saturday from Nov. 26 through Dec. 17. Parents will be able to shop and dine on their own by dropping their children off at the Black Box Arts Center on Princess Street for arts and crafts, storytelling and improvisational theater classes. The fee will be $10 per hour, and $5 per hour for each additional child in the same family. Children staying three hours or more will get lunch free; those staying a shorter time can get lunch for $6. For more info, contact info@blackboxarts center.org or 304-870-4685.

There will be free parking in all the town’s metered spaces on Friday, Nov. 25 and every weekday from the Dec. 12 through Jan. 2. There is always free parking at Shepherdstown’s metered spaces on weekends. Free weekend parking is also available in the Shepherd University parking lot at High and Princess streets, one block from downtown.

Events and activities will continue to be added. For an up-to-date listing of all events keep checking the calendar on the Shepherdstown Visitors Center website at www.shepherdstown.info. Or contact the Center at 304-876-2786 or svc@shepherdstown.info.

2016 Christmas in Shepherdstown Schedule

All events are free except for those where there is an asterisk (*), which is used where an entry fee/ticket is required

First Weekend

Friday, Nov. 25

4-9 p.m. Chili & Cornbread Supper*. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Community Club Building, German Street (Proceeds benefit Kiwanis.)

4:30-9 p.m. Bonfire and roasted chestnuts. King and German streets.

5:30 p.m. Grinch arrives with Mrs. Santa and the Whoville residents. King and German streets.

6 p.m. Mrs. Santa reads “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” McMurran Hall lawn, German Street.

6:15 p.m. Lighting of Town Tree. McMurran Hall lawn.

6:30 p.m. Santa arrives. Santa and his elves entertain children inside McMurran Hall. Parents, bring your camera.

Saturday, November 26

10 a.m.-4 p.m. You Shop, They Play; Children’s Activity and Theater Day*. Black Box Arts Center.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel, German Street.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. German Street.

12-3 p.m. “Unity in Our Community” Celebration for Children. Santa, face painting, a magic show, hot chocolate and cookies. Community Club Building.

12-4 p.m. Horse-Drawn Carriage rides*. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall, King Street.

12:30-2 p.m. Little House open (weather permitting). Princess Street.

5, 6 & 7 p.m. Live Nativity on the lawn of Trinity Episcopal Church. Corner of German and Church streets.

Sunday, Nov. 27

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market. On King Street behind Library.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

12-2 p.m. Horse-Drawn Carriage rides*. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall.

12:30-2 p.m. Little House open (weather permitting). Princess Street.

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. German Street.

2-3:30 p.m. Annual Christmas Concert. O’Hurley’s General Store.

3-5 p.m. Christmas Sing-Along. New Street United Methodist Church.

Second Weekend

Friday, Dec. 2

3 p.m. Civil War Christmas in Shepherdstown programming starts with the building of a winter encampment in the yard behind the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War, German Street. Speak to soldiers, watch them set up their camp, drill, fire their weapons and prepare to make their evening meal.

4:30-8 p.m. Annual Christmas Dinner*. Shepherd University Dining Hall.

6:15 p.m. Civil War Christmas event: Concert and lecture at the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, Washington Street. The concert will feature the Village Brass Quintet playing 19th Century music of the Civil War and of the season. This will be followed by a 7 p.m. lecture, “Christmas Mourning: Love, Loss and Widowhood in the Civil War South,” by Dr. Angela Elder.

7-11 p.m. Shepherdstown Rotary Club Charity Gala* at the Shepherdstown Fire Hall. Tickets required. For info, email info@shepherdstownrotary.org or Club Secretary Rick Caruso at 304-264-7919.

8-9 p.m. Candlelight Tour of Schindler House and encampment. George Tyler Moore Center.

8-10 p.m. A Christmas Carol*. Black Box Arts Center, Princess Street.

Saturday, Dec. 3

9 a.m-4 p.m. Civil War Christmas event: Military encampment. George Tyler Moore Center.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Christmas Toy Trains and Santa visits at The Station at Shepherdstown. Sponsored by Bunker Hill Model Train Club.

10 a.m. Annual Christmas Parade. German Street.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Annual Cookie Walk and Holiday Market at the Trinity Episcopal Church.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. You Shop, They Play; Children’s Activity and Theater Day*. Black Box Arts Center.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

11 a.m. Shepherdstown Middle School Band Concert right after the parade in front of Town Hall.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. Santa will be in residence Noon-2:30 p.m. German Street.

11:30 a.m.; 12 noon & 1:30 p.m. Civil War Christmas events: 19th Century Shadow Play for Children. Reynolds Hall.

11:30 a.m.; 12 noon; 12:30 p.m. & 1 p.m. Civil War Christmas events: Historic Walking Tours of the town. Start at the Visitors Center, Entler Hotel.

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Civil War Christmas event: Christmas Crafts with Toy Demonstrations & Sales. Reynolds Hall.

12 noon. Civil War Christmas event: Living History; Arrest & Trial of Confederate Soldier and Collaborators. George Tyler Moore Center.

12 noon; 1, 5, 6 & 7 p.m. Live Nativity on the lawn of Trinity Episcopal Church.

12-4 p.m. Carriage Rides*. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall.

12:30-2 p.m. Little House open (weather permitting). Princess Street.

1, 2 & 3 p.m. Civil War Christmas event: Tours of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War plus drilling and firing demonstrations by the troops in the encampment in the yard behind the building. George Tyler Moore Center.

1-3 p.m. Tour and Open House at Popodicon, the historic house that is the official residence of the President of Shepherd University. Shepherd Grade Road.

4-6 p.m. Progressive House Tour: Conrad Schindler House, Popodicon, Ferry Hill Plantation.

5-7 p.m. Christmas Harmony. Asbury United Methodist Church, Kearneysville Pike.

7:30 p.m. Holiday Gala Concert* at the Frank Center for the Performing Arts on Shepherd University west campus.

8-10 p.m. A Christmas Carol*. Black Box Arts Center.

Sunday, Dec. 4

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market on King Street behind Library.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

12-2 p.m. Carriage Rides*. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall.

12:30-2 p.m. Little House open (weather permitting). Princess Street

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. German Street.

2-3 p.m. Civil War Christmas event: Panel Discussion. “The Soldiers’ Civil War,” featuring Dr. James Broomall, Dr. Perter Luebke, and Dr. Lauren Thompson. Jefferson Room of White Hall, High Street.

2:30-4:30 p.m. A Christmas Carol*. Black Box Arts Center.

3 p.m. Holiday Gala Concert* at the Frank Center for the Performing Arts.

Third Weekend

Thursday, Dec. 8

7:30-8:30 p.m. Holiday Play-Along and Sing-Along. Town Run Brewing Company, Washington Street.

Friday, Dec. 9

8 p.m. A Christmas Carol*. Black Box Arts Center.

Saturday, Dec. 10

10 a.m.-4 p.m. You Shop, They Play; Children’s Activity and Theater Day*. Black Box Arts Center.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. Entler Hotel.

12-4 p.m. Horse-Drawn Carriage rides*. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall.

12-3 p.m. Annual Star Wars Party*. Benefit for “Toys for Tots.” Bring wrapped new toy.

2 p.m. Nutcracker Ballet* performed by The Shepherdstown School of Dance. Frank Center for the Performing Arts on Shepherd University campus.

3 p.m. Music of the Harp. Four Seasons Books, German Street.

8 p.m. A Christmas Carol*. Black Box Arts Center.

Sunday, Dec. 11

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market on King Street behind Library.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

12-2 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall.

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. German Street.

2 p.m. Nutcracker Ballet* performed by The Shepherdstown School of Dance. Frank Center for the Performing Arts.

2:30 p.m. A Christmas Carol*. Black Box Arts Center.

3 p.m. Christmas Carol Sing-Along. New Street Methodist Church.

Saturday, Dec. 17

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. You Shop, They Play; Children’s Activity and Theater Day*. Black Box Arts Center.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Handmade Christmas. Town Run Brewing Company.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. German Street.

12-4 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall.

7:30 p.m. Christmas Caroling Sing-Along with Terry Tucker. Devonshire Arms, Princess Street.

Sunday, Dec. 18

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shepherdstown Farmers Market on King Street behind Library.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Shepherdstown Holiday Marketplace. Entler Hotel.

10 a.m. Christmas Children’s and Chancel Choirs. New Street Methodist Church.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ho Ho Holiday Handmade Market. Community Club Building.

12-2 p.m. Carriage rides. Pick up in front of Reynolds Hall.

1-4 p.m. Historic Shepherdstown Museum. German Street.

4 p.m. Charles Dickens Tea*. Devonshire Arms.

Saturday, Dec. 24

1 p.m. Tuba Christmas Concert on the steps of McMurran Hall.