The Bristol Christmas Festival Committee will kick off the season’s holiday festivities with the Grand Illumination on Saturday, Dec. 2. In the event of rain, the Grand Illumination will take place on Sunday, Dec. 3. The evening is a spectacle of light, featuring performances by local students and artists along Hope Street.

Entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Burnside Building, 400 Hope St. Santa Claus will arrive from the North Pole just before the 6 p.m. lighting. At 6 p.m., the tree and the downtown area will be lit with thousands of lights and the giant snowflake.

The event is free and family-friendly.

Committee members will be selling Christmas Festival ornaments and merchandise starting at 4 p.m.

Christmas Market starts Dec. 9
The following weekend, the European-stye Christmas Market is on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 10, from noon to 6 p.m. in downtown Bristol. The two-day festive extravaganza will fill the streets with music, rustic huts adorned with twinkling lights, and vendors offering holiday pastries, pretzels and warm holiday wine. Explore a treasure trove of holiday gifts and crafts while enjoying live entertainment.

Guest appearances by Santa Claus will add a sprinkle of magic as he mingles with guests, spreading cheer. Families can participate in wreath decorating, and children can express their creativity with do-it-yourself craft projects. Family and children’s activities will also take place at the St. Michael’s Church parish house.

With the town’s businesses in full swing, it’s a shopper’s delight and a perfect opportunity to support local businesses.

All events are free to the public.

For more information, visit the website at ChristmasBristolRI.com. The Bristol Festival Committee is a nonprofit organization. Donations to the festival can be made on the website.