Take a break from the other holiday pressures and be part of Oriental’s Spirit of Christmas December 9 - 11.

The Spirit of Christmas parade kicks off Saturday at 4:30 from Mac's Minimart (those who wish to participate should be there a half hour before time to get their positions) and comes down Broad Street.

There’s a lot more to do and see and eat throughout the weekend. Many businesses in town will throw open their doors wider and serve up refreshments. Here’s a chance to knock out some of your holiday shopping — and support the local community and businesses.

The Star Of Oriental at the Town Dock

Friday's Highlights:

3 - 5pm Open House Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital Stop by and enjoy refreshments. On Broad Street.

4 - 6pm Open House First Citizen’s Bank Come by and enjoy the fine spread. On Broad Street.

6:30pm Star Lighting Lighting of the Spirit of Christmas Star at the Town Dock on Hodges Street. Christmas carols and hot beverages provided by The Pamlico Presbyterian Church, plus the decorated boats will be on display at the Town Dock.

7:30pm Performance The Pamlico Choral will perform at the Oriental Methodist Church. On Church Street.

Saturday's Highlights:

10a - 6p Open House Hodge Podge. Refreshments and custom-made jewelry (and of course books). On Hodges Street just behind the Oriental Steamer Restaurant.

10a - 5p Grand Opening/Open House A Different Twist invites you in for handcrafted jewelry and homemade cinnamon rolls from 10a - 2p. 1101 Broad Street in the Oriental Business Center.

10a - 5p Open House The Red Rickshaw, at Oriental Harbor Marina, invites you to an open house featuring Betsy Drake and her husband Dick Hamilton, creators of the pillows you can see in the Rickshaw. Mr. Hamilton will autograph the artwork on the pillows purchased during the open house. Refreshments served.

2p - 7p Open House The General Store, at Oriental Harbor Marina, invites you to stop by and enjoy a glass of wine from Priscilla’s Too Fine Wines and treats from The Gourmet Dragon.

11a - until... Eat & Meet! First Responders serving cocoa and hot dogs at the Oriental Town Hall on Broad Street. Come by and meet the folks who someday might answer your call for help!

Noon - 2:30p Stop by Oriental Therapeutic Massage at noon to sign up for 10 minutes of massaging bliss to be given between 12:15p and 2:30p. On North street.

1 - 2p Art Signing Come meet local artist Betty Brown at Croakertown. On Broad Street.

1p - 5p Open House Paddle Pamlico invites you to come and enjoy some holiday cheer and meet Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, & Santa Paws. On Hodges Street.

2p Live Nativity Stop by the Oriental Methodist Church at the corner of Church Street and Third Avenue for a Norman Rockwell moment as "little ones" act out the true meaning of Christmas.

2p - 6p Santa Watch! Catch Santa as he rides around town in the Santa Mobile. He drops in and out of businesses. You’ll also find him in other spots on this schedule perhaps reading a story, riding in a parade, or sitting for photos with his friends.

2p - 4p Open House Join Gary Mastrodonato for traditional, homemade, Italian specialties. Located in "The Old Trawl Door" at Oriental Harbor Marina on South Water Street and New Street.

2p - 5:30p Open House The Coast Guard Auxiliary is serving refreshments at the World Wide Marine Training Center on Broad Street.

2p - 6p Open House St. Peter The Fisherman Catholic Parish - Hot chocolate and apple cider served in front of the Parish House. Located at 504 Broad Street.

3p Story Time! Santa Claus reading the Clement Moore Poem, "T’was the Night Before Christmas" to the children at the Old Theater on Broad Street.

3p Performance Dance to the rhythms of the Tau Drummers at The Healthy Dragon, on Broad Street in the Croakertown Shops, plus sample some of their healthy snacks.

3p Performance Stop by The Bean and enjoy acoustic Christmas music by the Nickell Family (they are really good). On Hodges Street.

3p - until... Chestnuts The Oriental Rotary Club will be roasting chestnuts in front of World Wide Marine Training on Broad Street.

3p - until... Open House Oriental Counseling Center Invites you to check out their new location, up-stairs in the old Hotel on the corner of Broad Street and Hodges Street. Stop on by for hot cocoa and treats, and stick around to watch the parade.

3p - 6p Good Eats! Hope Clinic - Homemade chicken soup! Get a cup outside of Garland Fulcher’s Seafood on Hodges Street.

3p - 7p Open House Inland Waterway Provision Company - stop by for some holiday cheer and refreshments. On Hodges Street

3:30p - 6p Sing-a-long Enjoy refreshments with Mariner Realty while Judy Marco leads a "Spirit Filled" Christmas classics sing-a-long & later while Stephen Franchovitch & the Arapahoe Charter School Band present a selection holiday favorites. On Broad Street.

4p - 6p Open House Wishing you a mindful & healthy holiday season. Stop by Body Balance for refreshments. On Broad Street.

4p - 6p Open House Join Ralf at Scoot’s Pizza for a complimentary sampling of his famous pizza (and famous Ralf charm). At the Village Square on Broad Street.

4p - 6p Open House Walter Pence III, Attorney at Law - Join Walt for some piping hot chili that will separate the Santas from the elves. At the Village Square on Broad Street.

4p - 7p Open House Oriental Marina & Inn, the Toucan Grill, and the Tiki Bar invite you to come on by for a pre-parade and post-parade warm up. Enjoy complimentary snacks and hot cider at the Tiki Bar and Deck on Hodges Street.

4p - 7p Open House Pirate Queen Paddling - Come meet the Queen and enjoy hot spiced cider and trail mix. On Hodges Street.

4p - 7p Grand Opening/Open House Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith Company on Hodges St.. Two live performances by "Pamlico Brass", plus a spread of gourmet delights and warming beverages from 5p - 7p.

4:15p - until... Parade Watch/Warm-up Marsha’s Cottage invites you to enjoy the parade from her porch and front yard on Hodges Street while warming up with hot Cider.

Santa likes to use this boat for his Oriental visits

4:30p The Parade. One of the favorite events of the festival - follow the crowd down Broad Street, Hodges Street, and South Avenue all the way to Lou Mac Park for the lighting of the Tree of Lights & a dance performance by the Village Health and Fitness Center Kids Dancers.

5p Performance First Baptist Church of Oriental - Presenting the annual Spirit of Christmas Cantata. On Broad Street.

5p - 7p Is It Soup Yet? Pamlico County’s Habitat for Humanity serves up homemade soup to help keep you warm - come on by and have a cup. Located “in the basement” of the Coldwell Banker office on Hodges Street. Come on in around the back. Singer/songwriter Mike Cross will be on hand to help serve up your soup...

5:15p - 7:45p Open House Please join the Pierce Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church for music, song, and dance as they celebrate the Spirit of Christmas, on Silverbrook Road.

5:30p - 7p Open House At the Oriental Steamer Restaurant come and enjoy bluegrass/gospel music with Harbor Sounds and a special appearance by the Singing Violins. Chef Jeff will serve complimentary cookies and wassail.

5:30p - 6:30p Photos With Santa Grab you camera and head to Village Health and Fitness for fine refreshments and time with Santa Claus. On Broad Street.

6p Performance Pamlico Choral sings at the Oriental Methodist Church. On the corner of Church Street and Third Avenue.

6p & 7p Live Nativity/Live Music Live Nativity displays at the Oriental Free Will Baptist Church. Following each Nativity, at 6:20 and 7:20 respectively, stay and enjoy music by Heartsong. The Church is located on Ragan Road.

6p - 8p Performance Circle 10 Gallery has the Spirit of Christmas with original gifts by Gallery members, plus the Annual Associate Member gift show in the Guest Gallery. Harpist Hilda Porter is playing. Located on Broad Street.

6p - 7p Open House Croakertown come taste Pat’s famous Swamp Saucy meatballs & other yummy treats. On Broad Street.

6:30p - 8:30p Performance Village Restaurant - The Glitzy Chicks. Located on Broad Street.

Sunday

8 - 11am Breakfast Ladies of the Neuse host the Annual Spirit of Christmas Breakfast at the Oriental Woman’s Club on Gilgo Drive.

1pm Jingle Bell Run One mile fun run, a good way to work off some of the Open House Cheer of Saturday! Starts at Village Health and Fitness. There is an optional entry fee -- one new toy for the Toys for Tots Box.