Christmastime means time with family, visits from Santa Claus and myriad celebrations, both religious and secular.

In Murphy, people will flock to the annual Christmas in the Park Drive-Thru Trail of Lights, being held from 6 to 9 p.m. Fri­day, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, at the City Hall Municipal Complex. The city is encourag­ing those who want to attend get a free ticket through Eventbrite. The link is available on the city’s website at murphytx.org.

People wanting to avoid the long lines, though, may visit the light display anytime be­tween Dec. 6 and Dec. 25 to enjoy the display, says city of Murphy Special Events Coor­dinator Kayla McFarland.

Firetrucks will have their lights flashing as a signal for drop off points for Toys for Tots. Murphy Fire Department representatives will be onsite collecting new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Children’s Ad­vocacy Center of Collin County.

Also in the area, the Wylie Arts Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at Olde City Park/FBC Wylie front parking lot, 112 S. Ballard Ave. More than 130 vendors with handmade crafts, fine art and unique items will be at the event, which offers free admission and parking. The arts festival also includes food and activities for children. City officials report that vendors will be properly spaced outside with large aisles for distancing.

Visitors are asked to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID-19 recom­mendations, including the usage of masks.

First Baptist Church in Wylie will sponsor the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, set for 6 p.m. Sunday on Ballard Avenue. After the parade, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held in Olde City Park, 112 S. Ballard Ave. That event will include songs of the season from the Wylie High School’s Tempo choir.

The city of Sachse is also hosting a drive-thru light show. The Christmas Light Spectacu­lar will be held at city’s munic­ipal complex located at 3815 Sachse Rd beginning Wednes­day, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. and con­tinuing every night in Decem­ber from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

For more stories like this, see the Dec. 3 issue or subscribe online.

By Don Munsch • [email protected]