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The holidays are fast approaching, and, in keeping with a longtime tradition shared by the connecting communities of The Sun Chronicle readership area, so is holiday spirit. And, that means plenty of local opportunities to enjoy the more pleasant side of it all - from old-fashioned Christmas caroling to tree-lightings to parades. Below are some of those opportunities planned in the area:

Attleboro

Holiday Happening 2009 - To be presented by the City of Attleboro from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Offering enjoyment for the entire family, the event will begin with a Santa Parade followed by activities at Capron Park.

The parade will step off from the Attleboro Public Works Yard on Wall Street and continue through County Street to the Newell Shelter at Capron Park, where the festivities will kick off with a Holiday Tree Lighting, led by Mayor Kevin Dumas, with attendees invited to join in singing holiday songs.

Other festivities at the park will include free hayrides throughout the park offered by Liston Landscaping, Santa greeting children from his decorated chair in the Newell Shelter, a moonwalk, free hot chocolate and cookies from the 4-H Chuck Wagon and a moonwalk. Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony - To be presented by Community VNA Hospice Care at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, in the Memorial Garden of its 10 Emory St., Attleboro, headquarters. This brief event is free and open to the public and includes a holiday chorus, refreshments and the opportunity to add the names of loved ones to the stars on the outdoor memorial tree.

The lights on this tree, which will shine through the holiday season, represent gifts received in memory or in honor of loved ones. For more information or to make a memorial gift online, go to www.communityvna.com and click on the Donate Now button or call 800-220 0110, ext. 1305.

Foxboro

Christmas Caroling on the Common - To be presented by the Foxboro Jaycees at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, accompanied by the Foxboro High School Christmas Chorus Band, under the direction of Steve Massey. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided and after the music on the common, carolers will proceed to the Doolittle Home to entertain the seniors.

Santa on the Common - The Foxboro Jaycees also invite residents to welcome Santa to town for a free afternoon of pictures with Santa, cookies and other surprises on the common, at a date to be announced. For more information, visit www.foxborojaycees.org.

Mansfield

Christmas on Main Street - The Mansfield Downtown Business Association will hold its 13th annual Christmas on Main Street Parade, beginning at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 29.

This year, the parade will begin at the intersection of Route 106 and North Main Street, instead of the North Common, and make its way to the South Common for the town's annual tree-lighting ceremony and visit with Santa.

The traditional features of the parade will once again include music along the parade route by three high school marching bands - Dighton-Rehoboth, Mansfield and Norton. As in past years, the parade will also feature several floats by area businesses and residents, antique vehicles, emergency vehicles, Scout groups and many marchers.

Tree-lighting Ceremony - To be presented by the Mansfield Parks and Recreation Department at the South Common, immediately following the parade, featuring a visit with Santa and hot chocolate to be given out by the Mansfield Elks. Holiday Open House - The Congregational Church of Mansfield, located at 17 West St., will host a holiday open house, immediately following the town's annual holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony. Residents are invited to enjoy a cup of hot cider and the sounds of Christmas carols played by the Copper Steeple Handbell Choir as well as a Christmas carol song-along, led by the church's music director, John Read.

Norfolk

Santa Claus Parade - Santa Claus will roll into Norfolk on Sunday, Dec. 6, with a host of groups expected to turn out for his arrival as well as a variety of activities.

Sponsored by the Norfolk Lions Club and Norfolk Recreation Department, Santa's parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Hillcrest Village on Rockwood Road. Santa's elves, Frosty the Snowman and members of the King Philip Regional High School Band, the Norfolk Police, area Scouts and fire trucks will lead the procession along Route 115, through the center of town, turning right onto Liberty Lane and ending at the town library.

At 4 p.m., residents are invited to have their picture taken with Santa in the Meeting Room of the Norfolk Library. Also at 4 p.m., children are invited to bring their homemade ornaments to help the adults decorate the Christmas tree on Town Hill, where there will be a celebration and tree lighting ceremony, with refreshments provided and caroling led by the H. Olive Day Chorus.

North Attleboro

Santa Claus Parade - The Downtown Associates of North Attleboro will host the 54th Annual Santa Claus Parade sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank on Sunday, Nov. 29. The grand marshal of the parade will be Annette Lambert, mother of Ed Lambert, the parade's longtime chairman.

The parade will step off at 3 p.m. from the Baptist Common, go through the center of town and end at Chestnut Street. Following the parade, holiday music will be presented at the gazebo in front of town hall during the annual tree-lighting ceremony, with Santa lighting the town Christmas tree. Santa will then be available for take-your-own photos in the lobby of town hall. The parade also will feature several floats, which will be eligible for Edward G. Lambert Jr. Spirit of Christmas Awards.

Relay For Life of Greater Attleboro - To help get a head start on next year's effort to fight cancer, the Greater Attleboro Relay for Life Committee will be making its presence - and purpose - known by walking in the Santa Claus Parade and encourage invite all survivors who participated in this past June's local Relay For Life in North Attleboro to bring a friend to march with them and celebrate their survivorship. Those who plan to participate also are asked to contact committee member Bob Bassill at 781-696-6157 or via bobbassill@gmail.com.

The Masons of Bristol Lodge - The Masons will open their doors to the public the day of the Santa Claus Parade. The parade ends in front of the lodge and residents are invited to come in to warm up and grab a snack and drink from 2:30 until the tree lighting.

Norton

Festival of Lights - The Norton Parks and Recreation Department will hold its Annual Festival of Lights at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, on the town common, where there will be a tree-lighting ceremony, caroling, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, pictures with Santa and hot cocoa.

Plainville

Tree Lighting Ceremony - The Plainville Lions Club will hold its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, at Telford Park, in front of the Plainville Town Hall on South Street, Route 1A. Residents are invited to join in Christmas carols and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and children are invited to visit with Santa. You also will be able to sing Christmas carols with the Plainville Girls Scouts. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be provided and served by the Plainville Boy Scouts. Everyone is invited. Santa will be making a special trip to Plainville to meet with the children. Donations of canned goods will be accepted for the Plainville Living Bread Food Pantry.

Seekonk

Annual Tree-Lighting - The Kiwanis of Greater Seekonk will hold its Fifth Annual Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Seekonk Town Hall on 100 Peck St., off Route 44. Christmas music will be provided by the Hurley Middle School Brass Ensemble. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive on a fire truck to meet with the children. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided, and everyone is invited. Food donations will also be accepted for the Seekonk food pantry "Doorways" during the event. For more information contact Bev Hart at 508-336-9352.

Wrentham

Annual Tree-Lighting - The town of Wrentham will hold its annual tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, on the town common.