Last week, Milledgeville and Baldwin County got into the Christmas spirit with the annual Pilot Club Light-A-Light tree lighting, and from now leading up until Dec. 25, our area will not fall short of holiday activity.

This weekend, Christmas will kick off at Lockerly Arboretum with special holiday events including candlelight tours and decorations. The events, which are free and open to the public, will begin Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. and will continue Sunday and for the following weekend as well.

The Old Governor’s Mansion will hold candlelight tours this weekend as well, as the 170-year-old historic chamber has been turned into a Christmas treasure through the volunteer efforts of several members of the community this week. The mansion’s Antebellum Christmas will run from Saturday through Christmas Eve.

Also not to be forgotten is the Hanging of the Greens, set for Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and the annual Milledgeville Exchange Club Christmas parade to be held this weekend. Both are time-honored local traditions not to be missed. Also, the GCSU Department of Music will put everyone in the spirit following Thursday’s Hanging of the Greens, with holiday classics performed in Russell Auditorium.

Sunday, beginning at 3 p.m., the bands will harmonize as choirs sing in uplifted voices and children wave in the pageantry that is our annual Christmas parade. Look for more details on this year’s parade route later this week in The Union-Recorder.

And next week, sugar plum fairies and swirling snowflakes will dance with delight in the local production of “The Nutcracker,” which this year will mark its 12th anniversary performance. Performances are set for Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available through the GCSU music and theater department.

The holiday spirit has hit all throughout our community already, as evidenced in the downtown banners and garland and even Santa himself manning his station.

As we move through the remainder of this Christmas season, let us not forget the tremendous time and effort that has gone into putting these events together for our enjoyment. Many weeks have been spent at rehearsals to perfect every song and memorize every line, not to mention the countless hours that have gone into adjusting every bow and making sure each garland is hung to perfection — all in an effort to bring community together in celebration of this special time of year.

Make an effort to come out and enjoy these and other events that help mark the season. Our local holiday traditions celebrate our unique heritage and encompass the true magic of this time of year.