The Port Townsend Main Street Program is inviting prospective shoppers and seasonal revelers alike to “Ring in the Holidays,” starting just before the month of December kicks off.

Ring in the Holidays is intended to highlight the historic districts’ individually owned businesses in time for winter gift-giving, as the Kiwanis Choo-Choo rolls through town during the Saturdays of December.

“Port Townsend has always been great about supporting small businesses during the holidays,” said PT Main Street Promotion Committee Chair Jeannine Kempees, who also owns About Time Clothing. “Merchants are excited to put up colorful decorations, light up their store windows and welcome our community for some holiday cheer.”

The Ring in the Holidays campaign is coordinated by the Main Street Program and sponsored by participating businesses, as well as the Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and  Arts Commission, as well as The Production Alliance, The Leader and KPTZ 91.9 FM, with thanks to the Kiwanis.

Just prior to Main Street ringing in the holidays, the Port Townsend Arts Guild’s annual Holiday Crafts Sale runs from 10 a,m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Port Townsend Community Center at 620 Tyler St. in Uptown PT.

Main Street Program Executive Director Mari Mullen advises passersby to look for the large white festival tent at Tyler Street Plaza around Thanksgiving, since it’s set to offer a welcoming outdoor space on Saturdays, from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21, with hot drinks and meals-to-go available between holiday shopping stops.

Nov. 30 also marks Small Business Saturday, which Mullen touted as a chance to get a jump on holiday shopping while enjoying a meal in town, as ornament-making for families with PT Artscape Elves runs from 2-4 p.m. under the heated tent at Tyler Street Plaza, and the Wild Rose Chorale performs festive carols.

Dec. 1-8 marks the drop-off window for entries to the Uptown Gingerbread Contest at the Port Townsend Public Library, at a limit of one submission per household, with gingerbread kits available while they last through Nov. 30, and the contest’s winner announced Dec. 18.

From Dec. 4-9, the American Legion hosts the Port Townsend “Magic of Christmas” collection of festive decorations and activities, while the Key City Public Theatre performs the family-friendly holiday comedy “Bake to Alaska,” for bakers and boaters alike, from Dec. 5-29.

Dec. 7 marks the annual community tree-lighting and visit from Santa, with the Wild Rose Chorale returning to carol in the streets from 1-3 p.m., followed by more ornament-making with PT Artscape under the Tyler Street tent from 2-4 p.m., while supplies last.

Mullen explained that donations benefit PT Artscape, which supports the arts in the schools of Port Townsend, with Santa and the Kiwanis Choo-Choo offering photo opportunities by Flagship Landing, at the intersection of Tyler and Water streets, from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

The Dec. 7 tree-lighting takes place at Haller Fountain, at the intersection of Washington and Taylor streets, at dusk, after which more visits with Santa will be available at the Cotton Building.

The Cotton Building also hosts the Youth Arts and Crafts Market from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 8, during which visitors can pick up unique, last-minute holiday gifts.

From 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21, the Tyler Street tent hosts “Magic of Christmas” activities and visits with Santa, followed by the Olympic Peninsula Steam Big Brass Yule Ball at the American Legion from 7-10 p.m. Dec. 14.

Key City Public Theatre rings in Christmas Eve with “A Christmas Carol” at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24, while Port Townsend’s all-ages “First Night” celebration — featuring food, live music and performances, interactive art experiences, and heritage and history exhibits — starts at 3 p.m., and leads into New Year’s Eve fireworks at 8 p.m. Dec. 31.