The Warren Holiday Festival readies its 36th annual edition for its traditional place on the community calendar, the weekend after Thanksgiving, with the usual anticipation of seasonal cheer being shared among patrons and proprietors alike on and around the downtown Main Street neighborhood.

Among the featured events for Friday, Nov. 29, which run from 5-9 p.m., is Santa's arrival at the foot of Baker Street atop a decorated Warren Fire Department firetruck. Visitors can follow him to The Firemen’s Museum to hear children’s wishes. Carolers will be singing while the Mt. Hope High School Marching Band and Vocal Ensemble entertains as well. The evening is capped by the Main Street lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.

Most of Friday's action takes place between Water and Baker Streets. The performers in the neighborhood include Jasper, King of the Ragdolls puppet show, Balloons by Ciel, Family Magic Show and the Circus Dynamics fire spinners. Also singing on Friday is the Hugh Cole School Chorus, performing at the First Methodist Church. There will also be hot chocolate, cider and cookies on offer at various locations.

At about 6 p.m., MHHS Marching Band performs at Massasoit Park in the build up to the Water Street lighting ceremony.

Later, at 6:45 p.m., revelers are urged to again follow the MHHS Marching Band and Santa as they make their way from Baker Street to Main Street and Town Hall as they and one of Santa's young special helpers ready to light up downtown for the season.

This year the festival committee, led by director Elwood Donnelly and assistant director/volunteer coordinator Julie Abbruzzi, has transformed "Stingy Alley into something magical," so be sure to check it out between Baker and Church Streets.

The happenings Saturday, Nov. 30, run from noon-4 p.m. and feature a host of events at various locations, including the New England Handbell Ringers at the First Methodist Church and the Warren Strummers Ukulele Group at the Imago Gallery.

Naton Magic, Selfies with Santa and the Toe Jam Winter Variety Show are some of the other highlights. Also for the kids, there's gingerbread cookie decorating at the Hail Library and corn husk doll making at Maxwell House.

And of course, no Warren Holiday Festival would be complete without the annual Scavenger Hunt. The grand prize as it's always been is a pizza a month for a year. This year, sponsorship of the prize has been taken over by Federal Hill Pizza.

Donnelly explained the festival committee reconvenes after the holiday season to review the previous year's event and plan for the next.

"It's about a three-month process to get this whole thing together," he said.

Donnelly noted the festival does not receive any funding from the town. Rather, it receives in-kind services from local businesses.

"We send letters to about 400 businesses in October soliciting sponsorships," Donnelly said. "We want to thank all of our sponsors for helping us get this event off the ground. Without the sponsors we wouldn't have the money to put this on."

Of what the committee hopes to achieve every year, Donnelly added, "We just want people to enjoy the community, have fun with each other. It's a great time without having spend money unless they want to."

With that in mind, Saturday, Nov. 30, coincides with the annual "Small Business Saturday" events throughout the area. The committee urges anyone so inclined in attendance to do some of their holiday shopping while they take in the festivities.

"The day on Saturday is always busy. You have families running around town trying to get their maps stamped for the scavenger hunt and Santa will be back as well," Donnelly said. "There's a lot of things to do and they're all free."

The Warren Police Department also checked in to remind motorists to expect delays and detours on Main and Water Streets during Friday's events from 5-9 p.m.

For more information and a complete list of activities on both November 29 and 30 visit the festival website at www.warrenholidayfestival.org.