The holiday season is upon us — complete with community celebrations, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, music, food and of course, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Friday, Dec. 5

• State Center’s Old Fashioned Christmas on Main will span noon to 7 p.m. and include a tree lighting ceremony, vendor’s market with local artisans and holiday gifts, children’s stroll, chili cook-off, horse-drawn trolley rides, carolers, reading of “The Nutcracker,” meeting Santa, and more.

• Christmas Door Swag Workshop at Lowe’s Flowers will run 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come join the Lowe’s staff and design your holiday fresh pine door swag. Sips and snacks provided. Limit of 10 people. Cost is $65. Call for reservations at 641-752-4602.

Saturday, Dec. 6

• Small Biz Saturday -TAKE TWO! Will bring back Small Business Saturday for a second round, at Real Deals-Marshalltown, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Free Christmas Open House, Encounter Exhibit, First Friends Church, 2409 S. Sixth St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Four rooms of displays and a Christmas Scavenger Hunt for children).

• Christmas in the Stables, presented by Wolfe Ranch, in partnership with Marshall County Community Cares, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Ma Browns Cookies & More will host an open house and customer appreciation event from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. at 2909 Jackie Terrace. Come enjoy some home-baked goodies.

• UnityPoint Health’s ambulance service is once again partnering with Theisen’s and the Salvation Army to host its annual Fill the Rig event, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Theisen’s store at 602 Iowa Ave. W in Marshalltown.

• Wreath workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tannin Wine Bar. Register by Dec 4. Cost is $55 per person.

• Christmas in Conrad “Home for the Holidays” kicks off with a pancake breakfast at the fire station from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Oh What Fun Craft Show is slated for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BCLUW High School. Oakview Nursing Home’s Christmas Bazaar will go from 9 a.m. to noon. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive downtown around 4:50 p.m. and settle in at the Farmer’s Daughter Photography from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Additional events and activities that will span 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. include: writing letters to Santa at GNB Bank; holiday activities at the Conrad Public Library including Festival of Trees; horse-drawn carriage rides; cookie decorating at Conrad Chiropractor; reindeer food activity at Shear Bliss; snowman soup activity at Conrad Coffee Cup; several open houses. Tree lighting is set for 5:15 p.m. at Dorothy King Park.

• Get into the holiday spirit at the second annual Cookies, Crafts & Cocoa family event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Pilgrim Heights Camp & Retreat Center. This festive celebration is packed with fun for all ages, featuring creative craft stations for kids, holiday games, cookies and treats, and a build-your-own hot chocolate bar. Families can write and send letters to Santa and enjoy a beautiful holiday photo backdrop that’s perfect for capturing your Christmas card photo. This is a free-will donation event.

Sunday, Dec. 7

• The YMCA/YWCA School of Dance and The Dance Konnection presents Christmas In Candyland Christmas Extravaganza starting at 1p.m. at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center. Capture a memory with Santa for a small donation (bring your own camera). All proceeds go toward YMCA/YWCA School of Dance scholarship fund. Bid on silent auction items. Admission is $5.

• Presentation of the 72nd Handel’s classic “Messiah” will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at First Methodist Church. Free and open to the public, for questions, contact Janet.collison@gmail.com.

Monday, Dec. 8

• Wine & Design at Tannin Wine Bar. Doors open at 5 p.m., winter porch pot design by Gowdy Tree Farm begins at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person and includes one porch pot, charcuterie board and one drink ticket. All proceeds benefit Child, Adolescent, and Parent Support (CAPS).

Tuesday, Dec. 9

• The ARL of Marshalltown will welcome Santa for two magical nights of holiday cheer, festive fun and adorable pet photos: November 25 and December 9 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Meadow Lane Mall, across from El Portal. Bring your dogs, cats, and even your feathered friends. All proceeds directly help pets waiting for homes at the ARL. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. All pets must be current on vaccinations (please bring documentation).

Wednesday, Dec. 10

• The Marshalltown Public Library will host these holiday events: Jingle Bells & Reindeer Storytime in the Blue Room from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Storytime includes stories, songs and movement activities, followed by a chance to play with imaginative toys. Storytime is free and there is no pre-registration needed for families.

• Songs with Hugo Kringle, Santa’s Brother, will take place in the Blue Room from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free of charge, Hugo Kringle, Santa’s little brother, will sing Santa holiday songs and tells funny, interactive stories of growing up with the boy who will become Santa Claus.

• Christmas Dulcimer Concert with musician Mike Anderson is free and open to the public. It will take place in the community meeting room from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Connect Marshalltown: Ugly Sweater Party will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Wayward Social – Rosie’s Bar. Your first drink is on us, appetizers provided. Ugly sweaters are encouraged, but not required. The ugliest sweater will win a prize. No pre-registration required, all are welcome to attend. For more information on the event contact Kate Bowermaster: kbowermaster@marshalltown.org. Connect Marshalltown events are sponsored by Emerson & MARSHALLTOWN Company.

• Santa Claus is coming to Applebee’s. He will be there from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free pictures and Christmas ornament decorating, with the paper ornaments laminated and put on the Applebee’s Christmas tree.

Thursday, Dec. 11

• Jingle & Mingle Holiday Pop-Up in the 13th Street District will be a festive community event bringing holiday cheer to the heart of our district. Stroll through twinkling lights, sip on hot cocoa, and explore a curated selection of our local businesses open to you and hosting pop-up vendors offering handmade gifts, seasonal treats and unique holiday finds inside. It will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 12

• United Bank & Trust will host a holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop in and enjoy home-baked cookies and bars, hot apple cider, coffee and holiday music.

• The annual Grinch Swim will take place at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The rec pool will be dyed green, with Wibit in the lap pool. Snow cones served. Free for Y members, $10 per family for the community.

Saturday, Dec. 13

• Harvest to Home will host its grand opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the 13th Street District. “Home for the Holidays” will include discounts, treats and drinks along with new merchandise.

• Holiday Hope will take place at Midnight Ballroom starting at 11 a.m., while supplies last. Families in need will receive free new in package toys. In partnership with New Life Church Marshalltown.

• The Sixth Annual Holiday Bliss Spectacular Vendor & Craft Show will happen at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, contact AB Events: abeventsmarshalltown@gmail.com.

• Mistletoe Market at Meadow Lane Mall will run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us for some fun and holiday shopping plus Santa will be in his workshop, a delicious lunch spot, a free hot cocoa bar (while supplies last) and a ton of holiday spirit.

• Santa is coming to Pinnacle Bank from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take photos, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Free and open to the public.

• Pizza with Santa at Wayward Social, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservation only. Cost is $15 for ages 10 and up; $10 for ages 4-9; under 3 is free.

• Christmas High Tea at Binford House. Enjoy an array of delightful snacks, joyful company and signature tea. Two seating times: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cost is $25 a ticket. Reservations required by Dec 10 by calling: 641-753-5450.

• Santa Claus will be in Rhodes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the fire station.

Sunday, Dec. 14

• The sixth annual Lights of Laurel celebration will feature festivities all afternoon long, and include a cookie crawl, house decorating contest, kids’ activities, Santa sightings, tree auction, and more.

Thursday, Dec. 18

• Join Marshall County Conservation in participating in the Audubon Society’s long-running Christmas Bird Count to help track bird populations. Participants will help survey a 15-mile radius area, recording as many species as possible. You can join a group led by bird experts, assist as a beginner, or record birds at your own feeders for any amount of time. To participate, contact Emma Bruck at 641-752-5490 or ebruck@marshallcountyia.gov by December 16 at 4 p.m. Areas include Marshalltown, Albion, Green Mountain and Laurel. Registration is free. Bird count will take place all day.

Friday, Dec. 19

• Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at McGregor’s Furniture from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Take a picture and listen to a story.

Saturday, Dec. 20

• Attend “Scrooge — Jazz’d Up Like the Dickens” presented by The Dance Konnection, held at the Wieting Theater in Toledo at 3 p.m. Join dancers from The Dance Konnection and the surrounding community as they bring a fresh twist to the beloved tale of “A Christmas Carol.” Narrated by a new and improved Ebenezer Scrooge, this performance merges storytelling with dance to explore his journey toward discovering the true spirit of Christmas. Cost is $12 general admission.