It’s official. With the passing of Thanksgiving, the Christmas season is upon us, and communities throughout Beaufort County are already getting in the spirit of the holidays. For all the Christmas lovers out there, now is the time to start planning weekend excursions, and communities throughout the county have plenty to offer.

AURORA

In Aurora, the annual town Christmas parade will take place beginning at 3 p.m. on Dec. 9. Community members and visitors alike are invited to enjoy the festivities as the parade proceeds down Main Street.

BELHAVEN

While the residents of Belhaven already kicked off the holiday season with “Come Alive With Christmas” Craft Show last weekend, there’s a lot more on the horizon in the coming weeks.

The town’s Third Annual Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Belhaven Arts Council, kicks off from noon to 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 and continues through Dec. 6. Offering a gorgeous indoor display of beautifully decorated Christmas trees at the Wilkinson Center, the event is free to the public. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 1, noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The arts council is inviting local businesses, nonprofits, churches, individuals and families to decorate their own tree for the event, with a chance of winning cash prizes. A large tree can be donated for a suggested donation of $50 and a small tree can be decorated for $25. The Wilkenson Center will be open beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 29 for decorations.

Another annual tradition, Toy Trains of Belhaven will kick off from noon to 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the old town hall building, located at 215 E. Main Street. An impressive display of model railroading, the event is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December, as well as Wednesday, Dec. 26. Hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The event is free and open to the public.

Crowning the town’s celebrations, the annual Belhaven Christmas Parade will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. Traveling down Main Street, Pamlico Street and Pantego Street, the theme of the parade is “Belhaven Strong.” To enter the parade, call 252-943-3770.

BATH

Starting this week, from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1, community groups are invited to express their creativity in the Historic Bath Exhibit Hall in a friendly Christmas Tree decorating contest. The exhibit hall will be open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. all week. Decorations and trees must be non-organic.

Two of Bath’s most recognizable historic structures, the Palmer-Marsh and Bonner houses, will be decorated and open to the public during the Historic Bath Site’s annual Christmas Open House and Candlelight Tours on Dec. 1. The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the day and continues that evening after dark with candlelight tours. The event culminates in a holiday flotilla off of Bonner Point that night, and the Bath Christmas Parade kicks off on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

EDWARD

In the Edward community, the annual Edward Christmas parade will be the grand finale of the season in Beaufort County. The parade will take place on Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. Lineup for the parade begins at 2 p.m. The parade is sponsored once more by Edward Christian Church, and anyone interested in participating can call 252-322-4195.

WASHINGTON

On Tuesday, Washington lit up the city in grand fashion, and the same will happen at the Washington waterfront beginning Dec. 1 with the Harbor Walk of Lights. The city’s annual Christmas Parade falls on the same date, beginning at 10 a.m. The parade is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Washington, and lineup begins at 9 a.m. To register for the parade, visit www.washingtonkiwanis.org

Arts of the Pamlico will host its Annual Christmas Tour of Homes on Dec. 1 as well, offering area residents a chance to tour some of Washington’s most beautifully decorated historic homes. The date also marks the nonprofit’s third annual Children’s Holiday Shop from 11 a.m. to noon, giving kids a chance to pick up inexpensive presents for family and loved ones. At noon, there will be a community singing of pieces from Handel’s “Messiah” and on Dec. 21, The Embers take the stage at the Turnage Theatre, performing their annual Christmas Concert. For more information on these and other holiday happenings at Arts of the Pamlico, call 252-946-2504 or visit www.artsofthepamlico.org.

WASHINGTON PARK

Kids of all ages looking for a visit with Santa Claus can get their wish on Dec. 15 at the home of Barbie and Tommy Alligood. From 3 to 6 p.m., Santa Claus will sit on the porch of the River Road Home, hearing holiday wishes. The event serves as a fundraiser for J&J’s Animal Rescue and the price of admission is a donation of pet food.