Area residents looking for some yuletide cheer, and perhaps some shopping, will have several opportunities to get in the spirit.

The city of Murphy will hold its annual Christmas in the Park celebration, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Murphy Municipal Complex, located at 206 N. Murphy Road.

The event is free to the public and will feature various fun family activities, including a sidewalk parade and Christmas tree lighting.

The mini parade’s theme is Winter Wonderland featuring walkers, golf carts, ATVs, wagons and bicycles. The parade begins at the fire department and winds its way through the Municipal Complex and ends at City Hall.

The community Christmas tree lighting ceremony is set for 5:45 p.m., immediately after the parade wraps up.

There will also be crafts and games for children, food vendors and marshmallow toasting for everyone to enjoy.

Children are encouraged to drop off their letters to Santa at the event. Simply print out the letter in advance from the city website, murphytx.org.

At the event, several local entertainment groups will perform and if pictures with Santa is on your agenda, the “Big Guy” will be there from 6-8 p.m. for photos at the Municipal Complex.

Just a few days later, starting Monday Dec. 5, Santa Claus will join Murphy Fire-Rescue to tour the city atop a fire engine.

The Murphy tradition of Santa taking a city-wide tour will commence Monday, Dec. 5 every evening except for Sundays from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., and if there is an emergency.

According to Fire Chief Del Albright, the only exceptions to the tour will be neighborhoods with short cul-de-sacs. In the event of inclement weather or an emergency, the ride for that evening will be either postponed or canceled.

 Families should be on the lookout for Santa to see when he’ll visit various neighborhoods by checking out his interactive map at murphytx.org/480/santas-ride.

Because Santa will be secured to the fire engine, he will not be able to disembark to interact with anyone. To complete the city tour within the timeframe, the engine will not stop for any length of time.

In addition, firefighters, members of their family and city councilmembers will be tossing wrapped candy from the back of the fire truck. As a precaution, officials ask that parents accompany small children and watch them as Santa makes his way through the neighborhood.

The fire engine will have all the brightly colored emergency lights ablaze and sound its siren, all to alert residents of Santa’s presence.

For those who want to support a local nonprofit for adults with special needs, Coventry Reserve will host its annual Christmas Open House and Pottery Sale Friday Dec. 2 from 5-9 p.m., and Dec. 3 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  Holiday shoppers can buy unique, one-of-a-kind pottery made by the students and several other items at the facility located at 2004 Parker Road in St. Paul.

The shopping continues at the Wylie Arts Festival Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Cross Church Event Center, located at 200 N. Ballard Avenue in Wylie. The event will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will feature multiple local artisans and vendors, some set up inside the church and some outside. There will be handmade crafts, fine art and unique items for sale. The festival includes food, live music and activities for children as well.

First Baptist Church in Wylie will once again sponsor the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, set for 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 on Ballard Avenue. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held in Olde City Park, 112 S. Ballard Ave, after the parade. According to information from the city, the tree lighting event will include songs of the season from the Wylie High School’s Tempo choir.

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