Communities throughout Washtenaw County are celebrating the start of the season with annual wintertime festivals. This weekend, December 4-5, Washtenaw County kicks off the holidays with large-scale events in Chelsea, Dexter, Milan and Saline. The events are geared toward the whole family, with parades, visits from Santa, various performances and special holiday shopping opportunities for everyone.

Chelsea

Chelsea is ready for a weekend of holiday fun. The annual Hometown Holiday Celebration runs Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6, with a packed schedule of yearly traditions: a light parade, holiday-themed theater and music performances, and a visit from Santa. Throughout the weekend, shops, art galleries, public institutions and businesses will host a variety of workshops and special events, and discounts will be available for holiday shoppers.

Chelsea’s yearly traditions begin with a tree lighting ceremony at Pierce Park and downtown caroling on Friday evening, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Also beginning at 6 p.m. during all three days of the event, luminaries will line Main Street, creating a festive atmosphere in the heart of downtown. On Saturday, the annual Holiday Light Parade will travel through town, beginning at 6 p.m.

Other highlights include the Chelsea Fairgrounds' All the Trimmings Holiday Art Show, scheduled for Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where local artists and artisans will be selling their wares — from products like soap and honey, to jewelry, photography and other arts and crafts.

History buffs may enjoy Waterloo Farm Museum’s “Christmas on the Farm,” a “re-creation of the holiday’s traditions,” according to the Waterloo Area Historical Society, on Saturday December 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, December 6, from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors may tour the farmhouse, the one-room Dewey School and other buildings on the site, and enjoy love music, dinner and refreshments.

A schedule of more Hometown Holiday events and participants is available at the Chelsea Festivals & Events web site.

Dexter

Dexter hosts “Home for the Holidays,” the village’s annual holiday celebration on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. “Home for the Holidays” starts the evening of Friday, December 4, from 5-9 p.m, with downtown caroling led by choirs from Peace Lutheran and Dexter United Methodist churches and the annual tree lighting ceremony in Monument Park, which is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Then on Saturday, a day full of activities and special events will entertain the whole family, including a roaming ice sculpture carving exhibition downtown. The rumor is that Santa will be eating breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe on Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. before heading over to the gazebo in Monument Park to greet children and pose for photos with the family, between 11 a.m and 4 p.m. Santa’s double will attend lunch at Alpha Coney Restaurant from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Festivities continue Saturday evening with the 5K Holiday Hustle run/walk, and a one-mile Kids Run beginning at 4 p.m. on Central Street near Monument park. After the run, the festival will conclude will the annual Fred Schmid Memorial Holiday Light Parade. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. the parade will feature decorative, holiday floats that will entertain the whole family.

Milan

Milan’s annual Christmas Parade will come to town on Saturday, December 5, beginning at 6 p.m, with festive floats, processions, decorated vehicles, music, and other family fun. Then get ready for Santa to arrive on a “Boogie-Woogie Choo-Choo” train to help Mayor Kym Muckler host the annual tree lighting ceremony at the Historic Old Fire Barn, at East Main and County Street, before posing for photos with kids inside the building.

This year, the parade’s theme is “Toyland,” and participating businesses, nonprofit organizations and clubs will creatively interpret the theme to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Judges will also choose the “best decorated storefront,” co-chair Linda Gilson recently reported to The Milan News-Leader.

The Christmas Parade will be complemented by additional special events and performances around town on December 5, including a Holiday Goodie & Craft Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Marble Memorial United Methodist Church, and the Senior Center’s 3rd annual Holiday Extravaganza gift shopping event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a fundraiser for men and women in the armed services.

Saline

Saline’s annual Holiday Parade is set for Saturday, December 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m. In its 34th year, the parade features floats, live music, animals, and unique performances including baton twirlers, unicyclists and an antique circus calliope. The parade also welcomes Santa Claus to town, who will arrive by sleigh before heading over to Santa’s Village at the former Methodist Church, at 117 S. Ann Arbor Street, after the parade.

There will also be “Hustle & Bustle” in downtown Saline throughout the day on Saturday, December 5, including performances by the Saline Area Players, the Detroit Roller Derby Girls and Dance Steps Studio, New Horizons German Band, Saline Twirlettes, the Saline Fiddlers, and the One Voice Gospel Choir, at various venues before and after the parade.

Although most of the activities this weekend will happen around the "Holiday Parade" on Saturday, you can get a head start on weekend’s celebrations by attending Saline’s tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 4, beginning at 7 p.m. on Ann Arbor Street, at Michigan Avenue.

Jennifer Eberbach is a free-lance writer for AnnArbor.com.