This is the weekend for holiday events

Update: The date for pet photos with Santa n Brewster has been changed by organizers to Sunday because of Saturday's rainy weather forecast.

If you ever wondered about the magic that allows Santa to deliver gifts around the world in a single night, we can tell you he gets a lot of practice in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The Jolly Old Elf will make appearances at a half-dozen events on Cape Cod this weekend. And to honor the region’s oceanside tradition, Santa will arrive by boat at least twice.

There is also an opportunity for pet parents to have their fur babies photographed with Santa.

Pet photos with Santa on the Cape

Friends of the Brewster Dog Park will hold its inaugural “Pet Photos with Santa Day” at the park on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A $10 donation includes a digital download of your pet’s picture, pup treats and a little something for you from Agway of Cape Cod. No reservations are necessary and if there’s a wait, you and your pup can play in the park until Santa is ready! The Brewster Dog Park is located at 631 Harwich Road (behind the Brewster Police Station).

Holidays by the Sea in Falmouth

The annual weekend of events has a few changes this year. Christmas caroling led by the Solstice Singers, normally held at Nobska Light which is undergoing repairs, will instead take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Woods Hole Waterfront Park, operated by the Marine Biological Laboratory. The park, with its statue of environmentalist Rachel Carson, is at 112-138 Water St.

”Friday night is going to be a really big night in Woods Hole,” said Michael Kasparian, president of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses and restaurants are going to be open late with specials and the Woods Hole Film Festival is going to show ‘A Cape Cod Christmas,’ which was filmed on Cape Cod, at the Clapp Auditorium."

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On Saturday, at 10:30 a.m., a seafaring Santa sails into Falmouth Harbor.

“Santa flies in from the North Pole and while the reindeer are getting their breakfast, he gets on the boat and comes up the harbor, into Marine Park,” Kasparian explained.

Registration ends Dec. 2 for Saturday’s races: the 11th Annual GhELF run at 3 p.m. is for kids and the 3:30 p.m. 11th Annual 5K Jingle Jog is for adults. Participants are encouraged to wear their most festive gear.

The Falmouth Village Holiday Stroll begins at 4 p.m. with the lighting of the Village Green at 5 p.m., said Kasparian, noting the time is earlier than past years to encourage young families to join the fun, which includes face painting and other activities for kids.

At noon on Sunday, the 59th Annual Falmouth Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade kicks off with the theme of “Holiday Traditions.” The route starts on Dillingham Avenue and Davis Straits and proceeds down Main Street to the Village Green. Billed as the “best and largest” Christmas parade in Southeast New England, the Falmouth parade includes floats, marching bands, live animals, costumed characters and Santa Claus.

More information: https://www.capecodchamber.org/event/falmouth-holidays-by-the-sea-weekend/26946/

Illume! Light Festival

From Dec. 3 to Jan. 6, Cape Playhouse will display its 32 lighted and decorated lamp posts, many sponsored by the theater’s patrons. People can enjoy an old-fashioned holiday experience of viewing outdoor seasonal decorations from the comfort of their car or a leisurely walk through the 22-acre campus at 820 Main St. (historic Route 6A) in Dennis.

The event kicks off the afternoon of Dec. 3 with the official lighting ceremony.

Cape Playhouse founder Raymond Moore bought the iconic kerosene lamp posts from the town of Orleans when they converted to electric lights. When the posts were first at the theater complex, as early as 1930, Moore hired “a gentleman” to light them each night. They have since been converted to electricity.

Kick off your holiday season by stepping back in time with the country's oldest continuously operating summer playhouse. More info: 508-385-3838; capeplayhouse.com/

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47th Annual Nantucket Stroll

From noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, watch Santa's arrival via Coast Guard cutter, and join Santa’s parade as it travels up Main Street and across Centre Street to the NHA Whaling Museum (Santa will travel in a vintage fire truck this year!) From 1 to 3 p.m., Santa will be on hand to greet visitors.

Earlier in the day, starting at 10 a.m., Santa's Village is open at the foot of Main Street with gifts for sale and foods of the season to buy. Enjoy entertainment and activities all day at the main stage. At 3 p.m., at the top of Main Street, gather with others for an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Santa is one of the judges. Round out the day with Christmas caroling on Main Street with the Victorian Carolers at 4:30 p.m. on the steps of Pacific National Bank.

Cotuit Christmas

The village of Cotuit in Barnstable is hosting, on Saturday, a full day of events to celebrate the season.

Are you a Cotuit Kettleers fan? The team's store will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for holiday shopping. From noon to 2 p.m., the Cotuit Fire Station will host an open house and chili is back! The Fire Department is once again collecting new, unwrapped toy donations for Toys for Tots until Dec. 14.

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From 1 to 3 p.m., there is a Cahoon Museum of American Art Artists' Reception for Andrea Moore and Pauline Lim. Museum admission is free during the holiday celebration.

The library will have cookie decorating, family trivia and reindeer games (60-second challenges.) The day starts out with decorating a wooden ornament for kids and roasted marshmallows with the Cotuit Historical Society (seating is limited) from 10 a.m. until noon and ends at 4 p.m. with cookies by the Village Christmas Tree served by members of Cotuit Federated Church.

More info: https://cotuitcivicassociation.org/christmas-in-cotuit/

Hyannis Village Holiday Stroll

The whole village is involved with a spate of events starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, including visits with Santa, a petting zoo and pony rides, puppet shows from Love Local Fest, live music, hot food and libations and the annual boat parade.

A variety of activities is scheduled along Main Street, Hyannis Village Green, Harbor Overlook, HyArts Campus and Bismore Park throughout the day.  Love Live Local Fest Holiday Edition, on the Hyannis Village Green, features 100 local vendors as well as food trucks, craft beverage gardens and kids activities and sweet treats at Gingerbread Lane at the Harbor Overlook. The Hyannis HyArts Artist campus has open studios and holiday market and activities.

Photos from last year's strollHyannis Village Holiday Stroll

Hyannis Harbor is the site of the Boat Parade and Santa’s arrival by boat. Before the boats arrive, enjoy music by Cool 102 and treats for sale, sponsored by the Hyannis Civic Association.

On display will be a sail quilted by artist Mellissa Morris from the 2021 wishing ribbons collected last year. Morris said of the project, “the wishing sail is genderless, classless, and full of hope and good intentions. I gathered the 2021 wishes and have put into ONE large magical colorful sail, sending good vibes out into the universe for everyone."

At 4:30 p.m., boats enter the harbor, lighting the way for Santa to arrive by police boat and at 4:45 p.m, Santa heads to the docks and his special shanty to meet children.

More info: https://www.hyannis.com/events/details/holiday-stroll-2219

Enchanted Village

The Cape Cod Enchanted Village, located at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa at 1225 Iyannough Road in Hyannis, opens for another season Friday, Dec. 2, at dusk. Thousands of lights set the mood for this nostalgic display, which includes topiary animals, rows of miniature Christmas trees and Santa's reindeer. Santa will be available for visits.

Admission is free. Guests to the Enchanted Village are encouraged by organizers to bring new, unwrapped gifts or gift cards, if possible, to place under a Giving Tree. All donations will be given to Independence House in Hyannis.

Holly Days in Sandwich

The Cape's oldest town is celebrating with a Community Carol Sing Friday, Dec. 2, in Town Hall Square. The annual carol sing is held outside in front of the First Church of Christ and Santa will make a brief appearance. Following the event, all participants are invited to enjoy complimentary cookies and cider at the Dan’l Webster Inn.

Not to be missed in Sandwich are The Giants, widely known Sandwich Light Sculptures created by Michael Magyar, owner of The Glass Studio, in East Sandwich. Dave McDermott of the Glass Studio has crafted its annual hand-blown collectible Christmas Ornament a Sailboat for 2022. The ornament can be purchased at the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce, 520 Route 130, 508-681-0918, as well as from a variety of other merchants in town.

More info: www.sandwichchamber.com

Brewster for the Holidays

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and the Brewster Chamber of Commerce will host Brewster for the Holidays with special museum hours of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. Activities include: a visit with Santa for a photo (bring your own camera), making a holiday ornament or card to take home, free museum admission. The Science Shop will hold a holiday sale. Admission is free. The museum will collect non-perishable food items for the local food pantry.

Holly Folly Days in Provincetown

The Holly Folly Days kick off Friday, Dec. 2, with a half-dozen activities, including the Canteen Marketplace which has dining inside with booths from makers selling holiday gifts around the courtyard. Each day of the weekend includes a gallery stroll and a half-dozen performances, some of which pair Provincetown's saucy side with holiday favorites.

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From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday is the Jingle Bell Run + Brunch in which participants "One-horse-open-slay your way down Commercial Street in as little clothing as you dare for this frosty fun-run!," according to organizers. Throughout the day and evening Saturday are events including Whales & Wassail at the Center for Coastal Studies and Souper Saturday, a benefit for the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown. Also on Saturday, at 4 p.m., the Cape's oldest bookstore in its new location on Commercial Street, hosts a book signing with internationally known pastry chef Kelly Fields, author of "The Good Book of Southern Baking" (Lorena Jones Books, 2020).

For more events: https://ptown.org/calendars/holly-folly/

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod Christmas: Santa photos, caroling, 5Ks, lights and strolls