Ready or not, the holidays are upon us. If you don't yet have the spirit, here's your chance to get in the mood.

Parades, tree-lighting ceremonies and other holiday activities are planned around the area. Here are some of the events on which The Pilot has received information.

Parades and Tree Lightings

Aberdeen will hold its tree lighting Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. at Aberdeen Municipal Building. Santa Claus will make a special appearance via a fire truck. There will be musical entertainment by the Southern Middle School Orchestra as well as Pam Zell. Refreshments will be served.

For information, the phone number to call is 944-5902.

Cameron's Christmas candlelighting will be held Sunday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy candles, carols, and visits to three historic churches in Cameron. Visitors should meet at the Greenwood Inn in Cameron.

The phone number to call for more information is 245-7042.

Carthage festivities include a tree-lighting ceremony at the old courthouse Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m., immediately followed by the "World Famous Carthage Christmas Parade."

The Carthage Downtown Merchants' Association says several stores will be open that evening. Storefronts downtown will be decorated for the holidays.

Parade entries (vehicles, floats, trailers, and golf carts, which must be driven by adults) will be accepted through the day of the parade. Forms are available at the Town Hall.

The phone number to register is 947-2331.

The village of Pinehurst Business Guild will host its Christmas tree lighting and holiday events Friday, Dec. 1.

Children's programs begin at 3:30 p.m. with a visit from Burney the Clown. Santa will be in the BB&T Garden Room from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Hayrides start at First Bank at 4 p.m.

The tree-lighting program, featuring musical entertainment, is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The 15th annual Robbins Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Robbins Rescue Squad, will be held Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. Lineup begins at 5:15 p.m.. at the southern end of town.

Entry categories are marching bands, church floats, civic floats, organizational/business floats, antique vehicles, street-legal vehicles and battery-operated vehicles. Applications can be picked up at Robbins Rescue Squad on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m., or at the Town Hall.

Those attending the parade are asked to bring canned food items to put in a vehicle near the end of the parade. The food will go to Robbins Area Christian Ministries.

The phone number for additional information is 948-4739.

Southern Pines Town Manager Reagan Parsons will open the festivities as the town holds its annual tree-lighting ceremony Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m. Greg Zywocinski will serve as master of ceremonies.

The tree will be placed just south of the large holly tree at the historic Southern Pines depot. A group of volunteers, under the direction of Billy Ertter, will decorate the tree.

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Choir and the Golf Capital Chorus. At 6 p.m., Mayor Frank Quis will throw the switch to light the tree.

North West Broad Street from Connecticut Avenue to West New Hampshire Avenue will be closed during this event, as will a section of New Hampshire Avenue between East and West Broad Street.

The Southern Pines Christmas parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m.

"This will be the longest parade in Southern Pines' history," a spokesman said.

There will be prizes for first, second and third place for the best presentations, chosen by Parsons. A reviewing stand will be set up adjacent to the depot. Radio personality Bob Adams will be the master of ceremonies, assisted by Claudia Miller, acting president of the Southern Pines Business Association.

A Talking Christmas Tree will be in front of Harkness & Hawkins from 1 to 3 p.m. A clown will also be entertaining on the street downtown. For more information regarding entering a unit in the parade, interested persons can contact Greg Zywocinski at 692-6968.

Southern Pines holiday event gold sponsors are Bill Smith Ford and The Pilot; silver sponsors include First Bank, BB&T and Time Warner Cable.

Home Tours, Open Houses

Christmas at Weymouth will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, through Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This annual fundraiser is sponsored by The Women of Weymouth. All proceeds will benefit the maintenance and continued restoration of the home.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 or in advance at the following locations in Pinehurst at Faded Rose, Given Book Shop and Cook's Choice, in Southern Pines at The Country Book Store, and in Seven Lakes at Phoenix Fashions for $8. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the center at 692-6261.

During the three days, visitors can enjoy refreshments and a variety of scheduled events, including musical entertainment. The center is on Connecticut Avenue in Southern Pines.

The Episcopal Day School PTA is sponsoring its annual Candlelight Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 6 p.m. Five area homes have been decorated for the holidays, and musical entertainment and goodies will be on tap.

Tickets for the tour are available for $20 at the door of each home or for $15 in advance from Episcopal Day School at 692-3492.

The Carthage Christmas Home Tour, featuring several local landmarks, is set for Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are available for $8 at Centura Bank, Fidelity Bank and the Carthage Municipal Building. Tickets are $10 the day of the tour and can be purchased at the Carthage Museum.

The tour is sponsored by the Carthage Historical Committee. For information, the phone number is to call is 947-5686.

The potters in Seagrove will host their 12th annual Christmas open house Friday, Dec. 1, through Sunday, Dec. 3. For the 10th year, there will be candlelight Christmas caroling at the historic Whynot Memorial Church at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Shops will be open that weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and a few will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The church is preserved as it was in the 1800s and will be decked out with natural decorations, including a 14-foot tree. The church has no heat source, so visitors should dress warmly, a spokesman says. For information, the phone number is (336) 873-7887.

An "old-timey" holiday open house will be held at the Bryant House on Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests can tour two historic houses decorated in the traditional manner of the 1700s and 1800s. Refreshments and musicians will provide holiday cheer. No admission charged.

The Bryant House is at Harris Crossroads in northern Moore County. For information, call Joyce Wilson at 673-0908, e-mail moorehistory@connectnc.com, or visit www.moorehistory.com.

A holiday open house will be held at the Shaw House in Southern Pines on Thursday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tour three historic houses decorated in the traditional manner of the 1800s.

There is no admission charge. The Shaw House is at the corner of South West Broad Street and Morganton Road in Southern Pines. For information, the phone number is 692-2051, e-mail moorehistory@connectnc.net, or visit www.moorehistory.com.

The Sandhills Woman's Exchange in Pinehurst will hold its Christmas open house Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in support of the "Save the Cabin" campaign. The historic log cabin is across from the Village Chapel. Wassail and cookies will be served and handmade gifts and holiday decorations are available for sale.

The House in the Horseshoe will hold its Christmas open house Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features costumed tours, refreshments and militia demonstrations. From Dec. 9 to 23, there will be tours telling how Christmas has changed through the centuries. The house is north of Carthage. Call 947-2051 for information.

The Malcolm Blue Farm's holiday event, "An Early American Christmas," will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m., each day at the farm in Aberdeen. Children will be on hand in the 1825 farmhouse re-enacting holiday activities from days gone by, including decorating, cooking and more.

The cost is $5 per adult and $10 per family. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For information, the phone number is 944-7558.

Concerts

The Three Tenors will perform Friday, Dec. 1, at The Fair Barn in Pinehurst. Cocktail party starts at 7 p.m., with beverage proceeds going to Tufts Archives, followed by the concert at 8 p.m.

For tickets, call the Pinehurst Village Hall at 295-1900, to use credit card. Other locations for tickets are Given Memorial Library, King's Collectibles, and The Country Bookshop. Tickets are $40, and include heavy hors d'oeuvres.

The sounds of the season will ring out in harmony as the Moore County Choral Society presents its annual holiday concert, "Everywhere Christmas Tonight!," at Owens Auditorium on the campus of Sandhills Community College on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. For information and tickets, contact Sondra Nelson at 692-6979.

The Moore Philharmonic Christmas Concert will be held Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m., at Southern Pines Elementary School. A silent auction will be held featuring have bath baskets, pre-decorated Christmas trees that will be delivered after the concert, tickets to various events, candles, wine and cheese baskets, quilts, paintings, jewelry and more. The winner of the concerto competition will be announced.

The Carolina Brass will perform Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst. Sponsored by the Friends of Given Memorial Library, tickets for the concert are $20 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 10. Tickets are available at the Given Library, Given Book Shop, The Country Bookshop and Cook's Choice.

The Moore County Concert Band will hold its annual Christmas concert Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m., at Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College. The college choir and guitar ensemble will also perform.

Moore Children of SCORE will hold its Christmas concert Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., in the Pinehurst Elementary School auditorium. Admission is free. Using strings, choral, orff and recorders, children ages 8 to 12 will present a Christmas concert unlike any in Moore County. The group is collaborating with Carolina Performing Arts Center on an original dance number created by the CPAC students.

For more information, contact Marci Houseman at 944-5057.

Dance/Drama

Carolina Ballet is presenting the company's sixth production of the holiday family classic "Nutcracker," sponsored by Progress Energy, at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. For ticket information, the phone number is (919) 719-0900, or Ticketmaster at (919) 834-4000.

Terpsichore presents its 14th annual full-length production of the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at Owens Auditorium, Sandhills Community College.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children/students/senior citizens and may be reserved by calling 695-1116.

Sandhills Theatre Company presents "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!" Dec. 1 through 10 at the Sunrise Theater.

For specific times and ticket information, call 281-0661.

"One Bethlehem Night" will be presented on Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m., at Page Memorial United Methodist Church located at the corner of Main and Poplar Streets in Aberdeen.

Members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 2237 Camp Easter Road in Carthage, will present a live, outdoor drama titled, "A Christmas Story: From Birth to Rebirth." The drama will be presented Friday, Dec. 15, and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. For more information call 692-0992.

Other Happenings

The Southern Pines "Parade of Trees" officially begins today (Friday) as the trees are lit on Broad Street from Connecticut to Massachusetts Avenues and on West Pennsylvania from Broad to Bennett Street.

Southern Pines downtown merchants will hold their holiday open house Sunday, Nov. 26, from 1 to 5 p.m. Danny and June Infantino will provide music at The Country Bookshop during the afternoon.

Carols at Weymouth will be held at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the center on Connecticut Avenue in Southern Pines. There will be musical entertainment and readings as well as the traditional carol-sing. The event is free, but seating is limited.

Moore Humane Society and The Animal Center of Moore County join forces for a festive, open house, "Moore Homes Celebration," on Saturday, Dec. 2, from noon to 3 p.m. Take a guided tour of each facility, talk with an animal control officer about their work or to the shelter staff about what it takes to run a caring, upbeat shelter.

"Enjoy some refreshments, help get Santa released from the shelter, meet the resident snake, shake paws with a therapy dog, or meet a K9 officer," a spokesman says. "Get acquainted with your local shelters, the work they do and their wonderful furry residents who are all looking for 'Moore Homes 4 The Holidays.'" Rabies shots will be available at the Animal Center for $5.

Moore Humane is at 5355 N.C. Highway 22 in Carthage, and The Animal Center is just around the corner at 5235 U.S. 15-501.

All children are welcome to visit with Santa at the Southern Pines Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. Parents may bring their own cameras to take candid photos of their children with Santa.

Young children (pre-kindergarten through second grade) are invited to put on their pajamas, pick up their favorite stuffed animals, and bring their parents to the Southern Pines Library's annual holiday story program Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. The evening features a puppet show, "Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present," plus holiday singing, rhymes, and a craft.

The Aberdeen Parks and Recreation will hold a "Santa's Workshop" on Friday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Aberdeen Lake Park Building. There will be a small fee in conjunction with this workshop. Call 944-5902 for details.

The Moore County Driving Club will hold its carriage parade Saturday, Dec. 9, beginning at 2 p.m. in downtown Southern Pines.

The Southern Pines Recreation and Parks Department will host "Santa's Workshop" for children of various ages Friday, Dec. 22, at the Train House. For specific times, call 692-2463.

First Eve celebrations will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, in downtown Southern Pines. Admission is free. There will be a variety of activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Send information about holiday events not listed here to Ginny Prescott at ginny@thepilot.com for use in the community calendar. Items can also be faxed to 692-9382 or mailed to P.O. Box 58, Southern Pines, NC 28388.

Faye Dasen can be reached at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2475.