The Town of Bristol is once again 'Decking The Halls' and shining up its 'Jingle Bells' for the 24^th Annual Town Christmas Festival, set for Sunday, Dec. 4.

For nearly a quarter-century the Bristol Christmas Committee has dedicated months of prep-work into this all-day affair to kick-off the merry and bright tradition of the season.

The fun starts by having  "Breakfast with Santa" at Mt. Hope High School (8:00 - 11:00am). During
the event, a full-course breakfast is offered to children and their families, followed by Pictures with Santa @ 9:00 - 10:30am (Please bring your own camera).

Throughout the morning, children will be offered a  cavalcade of Christmas activities:

8am to noon: Ornament Workshop, Children's Finger Printing Booth, Balloon Twisting/Face
Painting (starts @ 9:00am), Noah's Ark Workshop, (starts @ 9:00am), Drug Awareness Booth (starts @ 9:00am), and concluding with Children's Holiday Show from 11 am to noon.

From there, the celebration moves downtown for the "Grand Illumination Show". The Pre-Show kicks off
at 4:15pm (in front of The Burnside Building) with Holiday Music Entertainment from two local talent groups - Rhythm Quest Precussion & First Time Around, who will play holiday favorites.

The Pre-"Grand Illumination Show" continues at 4:45pm with an old-fashioned Christmas of caroling, music,
dancing from Extensions School of Dance, Mt. Hope High School Choir --- all celebrating the sights and sounds of the season.

Following an Introduction of Town Officials, the 'Spirit of Christmas' Award Winner will be announced.

Then, at 6:00pm the town welcomes 'O Christmas Tree' with "Grand Illumination - Ceremonies" (in front of the Burnside Building), followed by a traditional reading to the children of "Twas the Night before Christmas" by Bristol Town Administrator Diane Mederos (from 6:10 - 6:25pm) concluding with Christmas Music Sing-A-Long - featuring the Colt/ Andrews Choir - of "We Wish
You a Merry Christmas."

In addition, neighboring St. Michael's Church will have a live nativity during the ceremonies.

But Bristol's Kick-Off of the Christmas Season Doesn't end there. On Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 pm,@ 5:30pm, seniors can join us for the annual "Bristol Lights & Door Entrants Tour". Pick-ups are scheduled for Benjamin Church, Franklin Court, and RI Veterans' Home (bus will leave Franklin Court at 6pm), followed by refreshments at Benjamin Church Manor.