Get rid of your jack-o'-lantern and say hello to St. Nick

Here are several opportunities to begin celebrating the Christmas season now in the Chattanooga area

"Santa Fred" Oaks, shown here with granddaughter Reagan Bolin, will be back at Sugar Plum Antiques, 6509 Slater Road, behind the Cracker Barrel in East Ridge, to pose for free photos with children from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, during the store's holiday open house. Call 423-894-2441 for more information.
"Santa Fred" Oaks, shown here with granddaughter Reagan Bolin, will be back at Sugar Plum Antiques, 6509 Slater Road, behind the Cracker Barrel in East Ridge, to pose for free photos with children from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, during the store's holiday open house. Call 423-894-2441 for more information.

The Times Free Press' HoHo Expo is the big Christmas event of the weekend, but there are other ways to get into the spirit of the season.

* "42nd Holiday Show": In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., decorates its walls with new works for holiday gift-giving and welcomes new members. Read more here.

* "A Christmas Story": Cumberland County Playhouse, 221 Tennessee Ave. in Crossville, Tenn., opens this holiday classic, about young Ralphie Parker's fervent wish for a Red Ryder BB gun, on Friday, Nov. 4, with shows through Sunday, Dec. 18. Tickets range from $14 to $27. 931-484-5000, www.ccplayhouse.com.

* Book Lovers & Holiday Delights Book Sale: Friends of the Chattanooga Public Library will hold this thematic book sale with bargain prices for "those who love to read books and love to give them as gifts." Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the downtown library auditorium, 1001 Broad St. Available are holiday books, gift books, mystery, fiction, children's, youth, audio books, CDs and DVDs. For more information, call 423-643-7747 or email folibchatt@gmail.com.

* Christmas Market: Organizers of this event, scheduled 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, are promising "tons of crafters and vendors," plus a big bake sale. Find them at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, 4131 Ringgold Road in East Ridge. Proceeds go to the church's children's department. 423-624-6073, www.jmumc.org/the-christ mas-market.

* Christmas music: Two local radio stations are already spinning Christmas hits: Santa 106.9 and 96.1 The Legend.

* Christmas Open House Festival: The Barn Nursery, 1801 E. 24th St. Place, will showcase its selection of faux and natural Christmas trees and greenery, designer decorations and ornaments 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose for photos 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. (Pets are welcome, and photo-ops will repeat two other weekends in November and December.) The first photo is free; extra photos will be $5 each with proceeds going to the Lana's Love Foundation. www.thebarnnursery.com.

* Festival of Trees: The opening of this fundraiser coincides with an artist reception, "From Eton to Africa: The Artistic Journey of Peggy Jonas," 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St. in Dalton, Ga. Bids on these decorated trees will be accepted through Saturday, Dec. 3. Proceeds will go to children's scholarship programs of the guild and Friendship House. 706-278-0168, www. creativeartsguild.org.

* High Cotton Christmas Market: Ringgold Feed & Seed Antiques, 403 High St., Ringgold, Ga., will have 20-plus dealers in the parking lot this weekend in addition to the 35 booths inside the store with antiques, vintage items and Christmas decor. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5. 706-935-7333, info@ringgoldfeedandseed.com, http://ringgoldfeedandseed.com.

* Holiday open house: Merchants on Main, 607 E. Main St., will kick off the season with refreshments, samples, snack, sales and door prizes 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. 423-521-6285, http://merchantsonmain.co.

* Holiday open house: Sugar Plum Antiques, 6509 Slater Road in East Ridge, will offer discounts, refreshments and free pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. 423-894-2441.

* Red Kettles, Angel Trees: The Salvation Army begins its Angel Trees and Red Kettle campaigns in ceremonies at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Center Stage at Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. www.csarmy.org.

* Reindeer Dash: This fifth annual all-ages 5K features a new twist to the mostly flat course through the Hamilton Place shopping complex, plus a 10K option, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Academy Sports + Outdoors, 2200 Hamilton Place Blvd. Fees are $15 in advance, $30 day of for the 5K, $30 and $35 for the 10K. Proceeds benefit the Hamilton Family YMCA Community Support Campaign. Register at ymcachattanooga.org or in person at the Hamilton Family YMCA, 7430 Shallowford Road. Call 423-899-1721 for more information.

* Santa Arrival Parade: Hamilton Place is always the first area mall to start the holiday shopping season. This year's parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the Sears parking lot. The parade will circle the mall, past the reviewing stand at Bar Louie and end near the Food Court entrance, where children can escort Santa to his holiday home for photo opportunities. Awards will be presented for Best Marching Group, Most Holiday Spirit, Best Performance by a Dance/Cheer Group, Outstanding Commercial Entry and Best of Parade. Find out more at www.hamiltonplace.com, or call 423-855-5282, ext. 222.

* "White Christmas" preview: Actors from Storyteller Productions will offer excerpts from their upcoming production of this classic holiday musical at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. 423-893-0186.

COMING NEXT WEEK

* Nov. 10: Holiday Stroll in downtown Dayton, Tenn.

* Nov. 10: Holiday House at McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tenn.

* Nov. 11: Pajama Party with Santa at Northgate Mall in Hixson

* Nov. 11-13: NorthShore Merchants Collective's Holiday Open House

* Nov. 11-20: Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" by Storyteller Productions at Colonnade, Ringgold, Ga.

* Nov. 12: Christmas open house at Redbriar and Greenbriar antiques in East Ridge

* Nov. 12: Christmas open house at Vinterest Antiques in Hixson

* Nov. 15: Chattanooga Music Club's Holiday Spectacular concert at Memorial Auditorium

* Nov. 15: Advent Now ensemble's Christmas in November concert at Lee University, Cleveland

* Nov. 15: Holly Jolly Ladies Luncheon fundraiser (part of Festival of Trees) at Harris Arts Center, Calhoun, Ga.

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