‘Tis the season for holiday parades, and several are on tap for the local area over the next few weeks, starting with Southern Pines on Saturday.

Southern Pines

On Saturday, Dec. 4, the streets of ­downtown Southern Pines will be alive with the sounds of music, singing and laughter hours before the annual holiday parade even begins.

Entertainment begins at 11 a.m. with a host of artists — clowns, accordion players and caroling quartets — performing at various locations downtown.

At 12:30 p.m., on the platform at the north side of the Train Depot, expect singing and dancing under the direction of Tom Bernett of the Swing Street Band.

Other entertainers scheduled to perform include members of the Terpsichore Dance Studio, the Golf Capital Chorus, Sophisticated Ladies and Alive and Clicking.

The parade will kick off at 1:30 p.m., starting at the intersection of East Vermont Avenue and North East Broad Street, adjacent to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

The parade’s route will travel south on West Broad to Massachusetts, then cross over to East Broad. It then proceeds north, ending at the intersection of East Vermont Avenue and North East Broad Street.

The parade will feature marching bands, antique cars, beauty queens, floats ­and more.

Carthage

The “world famous” Carthage Christmas parade will be held at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7.

Hundreds of spectators will line the streets of downtown Carthage to watch as the parade passes by.

Sponsored by the town of Carthage, the parade begins immediately after the Moore County Christmas tree ­lighting at the old Historic Courthouse.

The tree lighting begins at 6 p.m.

The parade features commercial and homemade floats, marching bands and Scout troops as well as church groups, civic organizations and others.

Horses and lots of firetrucks are ­featured. And, much to the delight of youngsters in the crowd, the main man himself, Santa Claus, makes an appearance, riding on a float at the end of the parade.

The parade starts at the Carriage Oaks Shopping Center, moves up Monroe Street, halfway around the circle at the courthouse and ends at the corner of McReynolds and Ray streets.

For more information about the parade or those interested in participating, contact the town offices at (910) 947-2331 or e-mail kpohara@nc.rr.com.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen’s annual Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 in the town's historic downtown.

The parade is part of Christmas in Aberdeen: A Hometown Holiday Tradition and will include floats, bands, clowns, antique cars, beauty queens, Scouts and Santa Claus.

The Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the parade.

For more information about participating in the parade or attendance, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (910) 944-PARK.