The holiday season has arrived once again, and starting tomorrow, local towns offer many events to help you celebrate.

Dec. 2 – Landrum parade/stroll

Tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 2, Landrum will hold its Christmas Parade, followed immediately by the Christmas Stroll.

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at the Depot on Trade Avenue in the downtown area and will end at O.P. Earle Elementary School off of Rutherford St.

Afterwards, shops and restaurants will be open special hours, dressed up for the holidays and offering seasonal treats.

Dec. 3 – Tryon Christmas Stroll

The Tryon Christmas Stroll will be held Friday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. This year, the popular event is packed with things to do with family, friends and neighbors. For a detailed program schedule, see the box on p. 3.

Almost all retail stores will be open to welcome strollers with&bsp; light refreshments and merchandise for your holiday needs. Among gift-giving possibilities are wearing apparel, fine art and craft, jewelry, books, children’s toys and games, fine wines, bath and body products, home accessories, gourmet food, holiday decorations and gift certificates.

Other businesses and organizations that will be open are restaurants, Grace Community Church and Upstairs Artspace.

Music will fill the air with performances by the Community Chorus and Tryon Presbyterian Chorus, Tryon First Baptist Bell Choir, Tryon Methodist Choir; the Polk County High School Band; Lori Corda and Ride With Daddy Band; and group caroling.

Other entertainment includes Dance Dynamics, the lighting of Tryon’s Christmas tree and Santa Claus. Parents are encouraged to bring cameras to record their children talking to Santa.

A new event this year is a bonfire and marshmallow roast at Bravo/Thompson Outdoor Living on Palmer Street. Phil and Gaye Johnson will be there to lead a community sing-a-long of familiar Christmas carols.

The event is sponsored by the Tryon Downtown Development Association. The Christmas Stroll Committee is made up of Wanda May, Lynn Sessoms, Paula Edwards, Erin Thompson, Kate Stroup, Karen Jones, Larry Siler, Nancy Holmes and Crys Armbrust.

Dec. 10 – Saluda Hometown Christmas

Saluda’s Main Street will

be decked out in Christmas finery on Friday, Dec. 10 for the Saluda Hometown Christmas.

Businesses and shops will be open from 6-8 p.m. and serve holiday refreshments while local musicians perform.

An ecumenical service will be delivered by Saluda ministers at the Saluda Presbyterian Church after the shops close.

Live holiday music will be performed at multiple venues in the downtown area.

The Saluda Inn and Wine Cellar will hold a special Christmas Art Shoppe from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring local artists, writers and businesses selling locally made Christmas gifts. Holiday goodies, wine and live music will be offered until 11 p.m.

Dec. 18 – Columbus Christmas Parade

The Town of Columbus will hold its Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. in the downtown area. Floats, performances and decorations will entertain spectators, and Old Saint Nick will wrap up the parade, inviting children to visit him in his home in Stearns Park after the parade.

The parade will begin at Park Street and end at Food Lion.