The holiday season is in full swing locally, and that means a plethora of festive events will be kicking off this weekend.

•Hampton will host Cookie Decorating With Mrs. Claus Saturday, from 9 a.m., to noon at the city’s Train Depot. The holiday cheer will continue with a Christmas Parade the same night, at 7 p.m.

•The City of McDonough will launch its yuletide celebration Saturday as well, beginning with Santa Saturday from 11 a.m., to 3 p.m. Festivities will continue with a Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 p.m., and the city’s annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.

McDonough City Clerk Janis Price said the parade has a long-standing tradition of bringing the community together for the holidays.

“Many local residents believe that the annual Christmas Parade in the City of McDonough has been a tradition for at least 36 years,” said Price. “This year the theme of the parade is ‘Once Upon a Christmas.’

The parade route will leave from Henry County High School parking lot coming up Tomlin-son Street, then turning left onto S. Zack Hinton Parkway and right onto John Frank Ward Boulevard. The parade will go around the Square and down Keys Ferry Street before returning to the high school parking lot.

“There will be 80 entries in the parade this year including Scouts, shriners, bands, animals, cheerleaders, beauty queens, dancers, churches, fire trucks, and of course the star of the parade is Santa Claus,” said Price. “The judges will select the best-looking float in the parade, and this winner will be awarded a prize of $100.”

•Residents in Locust Grove will be able to get into the holiday spirit this Saturday with the annual Christmas in the Grove, said Main Street Manager Anna Ogg.

“The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., down Highway 42,” she said. “Then it’s followed by our Christmas Festival with over 50 craft vendors, photos with Santa, live performances including a bluegrass band. We’re going to have some costumes, princess characters, pony rides, train rides.”

Ogg also emphasized that live reindeer will be on hand – or, rather, on hoof – for the occasion until 2 p.m.

“All proceeds from this event go to support Main Street’s mission to promote, preserve and revitalize our historic downtown,” said Ogg.

•The Stockbridge Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting is set for December 6 from 5-9 p.m., at the Merle Manders Conference Center, 111 Davis Road, and neighboring Clark Park. The event will include appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, puppet shows and live entertainment.