Warren welcomes the holiday season Friday and Saturday with a holiday kick-off packed with caroling, celebrating and dozens of events. There will be bands, fire jugglers, Santa himself, fire trucks, lights, thousands of people, candles, bells, open houses and doors, and hot chocolate.

The festival’s main event is the flipping of the switch on thousands of Christmas lights strung up by the DPW throughout downtown Warren. That happens at about 7:30 p.m. Friday. But by then, the party will be well underway.

Festival organizer Marilyn Mathison said volunteers try to keep the festival’s best elements from year to year while improving it where possible. To that end there will be two fire spinning shows on Narragansett Way Friday, just off Broad Street. The juggling and acrobatic act Circus Dynamics will perform at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., as previous’ years single performance was always packed. Chairs will be left out (seniors and pregnant women only, please) and folks who take in the 5:30 show should try to clear the area before the 6:30 show.

“We want to get as many people in to see it as possible,” Ms. Mathison said. Apart from fire spinning, Circus Dynamics will have stilt walkers, hula hoopers and more.

Another new event this year is a 6 p.m. performance of the Toe Jam Puppet Band. The childrens’ band play at the Warren Yacht Club, in the Old Warren Marina at the base of Church Street.

As people make their way through town Friday evening, there will also be ongoing events including a concert by the Hugh Cole Chorus and many open doors at the Masonic temple, Federal Blues and more (see full schedule).

The main lighting festival begins at about 7:30, when revelers fall in line behind the Mt. Hope High School Marching Band for a candlelight procession up Baker Street to the Warren Town Hall steps. There, Santa will say a few words before the lights are turned on.

The night is not over after the lights go up. Head either to the Main Fire Station behind town hall for refreshments and singing, or the Historic Warren Armory on Jefferson Street. Mike D. and His All Stars play until 10 p.m., and there will be pizza cookies and refreshments. Beer and wine will also be sold.

Note that shops will stay open until 8 p.m. And every $20 you spend during Discover Warren’s “Warren Wonderland” promotion enters you to win a basket of goodies and gift cards.

The festival continues from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, with events throughout downtown Warren (see schedule). Shops will be open as well.

Friday, Nov. 27

5 to 7 p.m.

Meet the Warren Federal Blues militia at the carriage house on Baker Street.

There is a children’s ornament workshop at the rescue squad headquarters, Miller Street. Carolers from the Newport County Junior Grange will sing.

Tour the Masonic Temple, the second oldest continuously running temple in the country. That’s on Broad Street.

The Maxwell House on Church Street will be open to visitors. Music is by the Mt. Hope High School band.

5 p.m.

The Hugh Cole Chorus sings at the Warren Methodist Church.

Boy Scout Troop 25 will serve hot cocoa at various locations, and hand out LED candles to children.

5:30 p.m.

Circus Dynamics gives a performance on Narragansett Way.

6 p.m.

The Toe Jam Puppet Band plays at the Warren Yacht Club, Old Warren Marina.

6:15 p.m.

The Mt. Hope Vocal Ensemble will perform at 59 Baker St.

6:30 p.m.

Circus Dynamics gives a performance on Narragansett Way.

7 p.m.

The Mt. Hope Marching Band will play at Massasoit Park before heading up Baker Street, with Santa, towed Warren Town Hall.

7:30 p.m.

The Mt. Hope Band makes its way toward Town Hall for the lighting, and a few words from Santa.

After

The Hugh Cole Chorus will sing at the main fire station following the lighting.

Mike D. and his All Stars play until 10 p.m. at the Historic Warren Armory, Jefferson Street. There will be cookies and refreshments, and wine and beer will be sold.

Saturday, Nov. 28

noon to 1:30 p.m.

Santa arrives via fire truck at Town Hall. Kids can take selfies with him; please bring a perishable food item.

The Mt. Hope Brass Choir will play on Main Street.

noon to 4 p.m.

Tour historic Warren’s downtown in an old-fashioned trolley.

Big and Little moonwalks will be at the Central Fire Station.

Touch a Fire Truck (and more) outside the main Fire Station.

Free chowder and chili at the Blount Market.

noon to 2 p.m.

The Mt. Hope Guitar Ensemble will be at the Imago Art Gallery on Market Street.

There will be an ornament workshop at the Methodist Church, Church Street.

noon to 3 p.m.

Ride the Trolley to Hope & Main, 691 Main St., and make reindeer food to take home for Santa’s help.

1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Circus Dynamics will perform “Art in Motion,” a juggling and magic show, at the Historic Waren Armory, Jefferson Street.

1 to 3 p.m.

A Gingerbead Cookie Workshop will be at the George Hail Library.

The Mt. Hope chorus will sing carols on Main and Water streets.