While there are those familiar with the ornate decoration of flora at Lockerly Arboretum, nature’s decorative efforts will soon be accented to greet the Christmas season at Milledgeville’s hidden treasure.

Christmas at Lockerly will be celebrated this season to usher in the holiday with an array of special events open to the public. Special hours have been set aside for the Christmas celebration for holiday revelers to enjoy the arboretum for special Christmas events.

Gloria Prance said that the arboretum offered candlelight tours of Lockerly Hall last year for the first time. This year, Prance said, Santa’s Toy Workshop is premiering.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity for people who have supported us throughout the year to come out and see some holiday beauty and see Santa Claus,” Prance said.

The Arboretum will be open free to the public Saturday, Dec. 6 from 6 - 8 p.m., Sunday Dec. 7 from 4-6 p.m., Friday Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. and Sat. Dec. 13 from 6-8 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy a Toy Workshop in the Woods Museum featuring Santa Claus, Holiday Music featuring local artists, Mansion Tours, led by docents in period dress, and decorations made of natural materials adorning Lockerly Hall. Refreshments will be available at the event.

In addition to enjoying the event, Lockerly Arboretum is offering the public the opportunity to honor or memorialize loved ones at Christmas with evergreen trees to be planted at the arboretum. The potted trees will be decorated with Christmas lights and will be labeled with the name of the people for whom they are sponsored. Following the event, the trees will be added to the collection of evergreens and conifers at Lockerly’s Pinetum. Different sized trees are available for sponsorship from the $50 to $150 level.

Bill and Kay Neely and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse are co-sponsors of the event. For more information, call (478) 452-0830 or send an e-mail to lindalayne@lockerly.org. or visit the arboretum’s Web site at www.lockerly.org.