From one end of the parish to the other, St. Tammany residents will have plenty of holiday activities in December to help celebrate the spirit of the season.

Christmas Under the Stars, Slidell

Dec. 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14 The city of Slidell’s annual holiday celebration this year promises a different holiday theme for each of the seven nights the event will run.

Held in Griffith Park, the free event began Friday with “Night of the Nutcracker.” Other themes include “Christmas Around the World,” “Family Movie Night,” with a screening of a special surprise holiday classic film, and “Gifts of the Magi,” in which residents are invited to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Community Christian Concern.

The event will also feature dozens of trees decorated by various school and civic groups, live entertainment and storytelling, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the gazebo. The Christmas train and village will be displayed at the Olde Towne Arts Center located at 300 Robert St., with limited viewing hours. For more information call 646-4375, or download the full schedule at www.slidell.la.us.

Slidell Christmas Parade

Today

St. Tammany Fire District 1 will host its annual parade and has invited all Mardi Gras krewes in the area to participate. Vehicles will be judged for decorations, and entry fees will be donated to either Community Christian Concern or Fit as a Firefighter, the district’s annual summer camp aimed at children struggling with obesity.

The parade will roll at 1 p.m. from the parking lot at the former John Jay Shopping Center on Pontchartrain Drive. For more information call 646-4861.

Christmas Past Festival, Mandeville

Dec. 13

The fifth annual Old Mandeville Christmas Past Festival begins at 9 a.m. on the Mandeville Trailhead with holiday gifts and foods at the Trailhead Community Market. Entertainment will include performances by the Louisiana Kids, a Scrooge contest and a Victorian costume contest. Other highlights will include lectures in the Depot Room on Victorian Christmas customs and Charles Dickens, and free horse-drawn carriage rides to those who bring a donation for the Samaritan Food Bank.

There will also be visits with Santa Claus and a delivery of fresh snow.

From 4 to 6 p.m the festivities move to the Mandeville Lakefront with a parade down Lakeshore Drive and holiday light display. A lighted boat parade will follow, with 20 boats decorated for the season.

For more information call 626-3144 or visit www.cityofmandeville.com.

Deck the Rails at the Covington Trailhead

Through Dec. 24

The city of Covington’s official kickoff to the holiday season recently with a festive holiday light display. A variety of entertainment is scheduled throughout December, with dance performances, puppet shows and a model train exhibit every Friday and Saturday.

Santa on the River, Madisonville

Today

The Madisonville Garden Club will host Santa on the River at the Madisonville Town Hall.

The Mandeville High School show choir will perform at 1:30 p.m. before Madisonville Mayor Peter Gitz welcomes Santa Claus at 2 p.m. Children will decorate cookies, write letters to Santa, engage in jewelry making and hear stories by Mrs. Claus.

Holiday of Lights on the Tammany Trace

Dec. 12 and 13

This free community event will feature area school choirs, musical groups, violinists and carolers to entertain visitors, along with visits with Santa and carnival-style rides. Some 45 depictions of Christmas will be on display, including a tunnel of lights, 15-foot snowman, wreaths, angels, trees, reindeer, a nativity scene and the Star of David.

The trailhead is located on Louisiana Highway 59 at Koop Drive, just north of Interstate 12. For more information call 867-9490.

Christmas at the Trailhead, Abita Springs

Dec. 20, 21

A Christmas Market will take place on Dec. 20 in the Town Park Pavilion, while on Dec. 21, a Christmas pageant will take place.

Twenty vendors will display their wares at the market on Saturday, with Christmas treasures, homemade foods and crafts such as personalized clothing, handmade soaps, jewelry and hand-painted birdhouses. Entertainment will be provided throughout the day, including the Children’s Academie at 10:30 a.m. with a Christmas skit, and the Covington Children’s Chorus at noon in the Trailhead Bandstand. Santa will also arrive in an historic fire truck to deliver toys to local children.

On Sunday, the Children’s Choirs of St. Jane de Chantal Church will perform, depicting a living nativity scene, and the church’s Adult Choir will lead the caroling. Hot chocolate and cider will be served.

Admission is free for all events. Carolers will be on hand to entertain both days, and throughout December residents may also enjoy a Christmas display located across from the Town Hall, located at 22161 Level St. For more information call 892-0711.