More than 200 indoor and outdoor vendors will once again be offering art, handmade crafts and unique gifts at the annual Wylie Arts Festival Saturday, Dec. 6.  File art

With December just around the corner, several communities are getting an early start on the holiday season with festivals, markets and tree-lighting ceremonies planned for the first full weekend of the month.

In Wylie, the annual Wylie Arts Festival returns Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cross Church Event Center, 200 N. Ballard Ave. The city and the Public Arts Advisory Board will host more than 200 indoor and outdoor vendors offering art, handmade crafts and unique gifts. The event is free, parking is free and, as always, the festival will be held rain or shine. Visitors may also use Ride Awake Wylie for transportation to the event.

Just a few blocks north, the Victorian Christmas Market will also take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 on the lawn of the Welcome Center at the historic Brown House, 301 N. Ballard Ave. Hosted by the city and Wylie Parks and Recreation, the European-style market features holiday vendors, Victorian carolers, photo opportunities and free children’s craft stations and games.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, Wylie’s holiday weekend continues with the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, starting off at 6 p.m. along Ballard Avenue. Immediately following, residents can gather at Olde City Park for the community tree lighting ceremony, where Mayor Porter will read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and Wylie High School’s Tempo choir will perform seasonal songs before the city tree is illuminated.

Adding to the early-season festivities is the Coventry Reserve Christmas Open House & Pottery Sale in St. Paul, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, from 5–9 p.m. at 2004 Parker Road, with a continuation set for Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event showcases pottery created by adults with special needs who participate in Coventry Reserve’s day program, which provides life-enrichment opportunities once individuals no longer qualify for public school services. Each piece of pottery is crafted as part of the daily curriculum and is available for purchase at the on-site gift shop. Proceeds support programming and help sustain the nonprofit’s mission.

Neighboring communities are also joining the early-December celebrations.

Wylie will also welcome the CPKC Holiday Express, a festive Christmas train making its annual tour with a free concert from 6–7 p.m. Dec. 5, along the CPKC railway between West Oak and Marble streets. The event is free, and canned food donations are encouraged.

In Sachse, the Christmas Extravaganza will feature a parade down Miles Road at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3, followed by a tree lighting at 7 p.m. at the Sachse Community Center. Additional activities and holiday attractions are planned throughout the evening.

And in Murphy, the city will host Christmas in the Park from 4–8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the City Hall complex, 206 N. Murphy Road. The celebration includes a Christmas display contest, tree lighting, food and holiday vendors.

With multiple events packed into the same weekend, residents won’t have to go far to find festive lights, music, shopping and family-friendly fun to usher in the holiday season.

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