VERGENNES — The Little City of Vergennes will host its annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday Stroll on the 7th of next month — the usual first Saturday of December. But there’s a lot more activity for the holidays in Vergennes this year.

In fact, even during these coming few days, the Vergennes Partnership is promoting the new Grand Thanksgiving Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30. It combines Black Friday and Small Business Saturday into one grand giveaway. The message is “Shop local this holiday season,” and city businesses are encouraging that by giving away money. Well, not actual U.S. currency, but $100 in Vergennes Green gift certificates. Look for the blue boxes throughout the downtown where you can enter your name for a chance to win at each establishment. They will be giving away 10 of them, so that’s a lot of money to be spread around.

The following weekend, there will be plenty of opportunities to shop locally in Vergennes, and a lot going on at Dec. 7’s Ho Ho Ho Holiday Stroll at the Bixby Memorial Free Library at 258 Main St. The guest of honor that morning will be none other than Santa Claus, who will be on hand for story time with the children at 10:30 a.m. The Jolly Old Elf will read the classic “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Then there will be two first-class, feel-good musical performances. The female trio Va-et-Vient will sing and play music at 11 a.m. in the library. This well-practiced group celebrates the many colors found in music from several French cultures. Va-et-Vient is Carol Reed from Leicester (voice, guitar and mandolin), Suzanne Germain from Lincoln (voice and percussion) and Lausanne Allen from South Starksboro (voice, fiddles, flute, penny whistles, harmonica and mandolins).

After that, at noon, the women’s a capella chorus Maiden Vermont performs at the Bixby. This large collection of talented local singers specializes in barbershop-style harmonies.

DURING THE VERGENNES Partnership’s Ho Ho Ho Holiday Stroll, a reveler warns himself — and his marshmallow — in a firepit on the City Green. The firepits will be back for this year’s Stroll on Dec. 7.

In between these structured activities, you can browse at the Friends of the Bixby book sale downstairs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be festive bites and beverages to graze on, and a puzzle swap. Plus, the Bixby will feature a sport for young ones and everyone else to make holiday cards.

But the Holiday Stroll isn’t limited to the library. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet the children at 48 Green St., One Credit Union, that day; the details of the schedule for that were still being worked out as this publication went to press — look for details online at vergennesdowntown.org.

Also on that Saturday, the Order of the Eastern Star will hold a Craft Fair in Vergennes beginning at 9 a.m. Come to the Masonic Lodge, 54 School St. in Vergennes, to check out local crafters and their wares. Stop by for lunch.

The fun goes into the early evening too at the City Green, where the Partnership will set up firepits and host caroling for revelers to engage in while they await the arrival of the famous SD Ireland lighted cement truck.

That’s the same weekend as a premier holiday extravaganza at the Vergennes Opera House. ​The 19th annual Broadway Direct show is produced once again by Bill Carmichael Walsh, Broadway veteran and VOH board member. Bill will be joined by friends directly from the Broadway stages, as well as some amazing local talent to bring yet another powerhouse show to the Little City. It will be on the stage in the opera house on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. This show is so popular, it always sells out — so get your tickets while you can.

The Bixby will turn up the dial on holiday crafting with a wreath-making workshop at the library on Thursday, Dec. 12, 5-7 p.m. Join in for an evening of holiday crafting as participants create unique evergreen wreaths with greenery from Pete’s Pines along with festive bits and bobs to accessorize your wreath. Adorn your home with a handmade winter wreath. Space for the workshop is limited, so email [email protected] to reserve your spot today.

Father Christmas returns to Vergennes on the second weekend of December at the Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 14, 8 a.m.-12 noon. St. Peter’s Catholic Church at 85 South Maple St. will be the venue for enjoying eggs, French toast, bacon, sausage, home fries, fresh fruit, assorted juices and milk. There will be arts & crafts and face painting for the kids while they are waiting to take pictures with Santa. Food will be provided by Queen Bee’s Snack Bar. Message organizers on Facebook today to get your tickets ahead of time or at the door day of!!

That same day, you’ll have an opportunity stop by the 30th annual Christmas Cookie sale at the Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church on Church St. in Vergennes. They promise a large selection of Dutch specialties, fancy homemade cookies, and treats for sale from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. — or until the goodies run out. Choose and package your favorites. Enjoy hot cider and festive music while you shop. Their tagline is, “We do the baking for you so you won’t have to.”

Finally, the monthly Fiber Arts Circle at Bixby Library takes on a holiday theme in December. On Saturday, Dec. 21, noon-2 p.m., celebrate the last Fiber Arts Circle of 2024 with a cookie swap. Bring a batch of cookies, if you’d like. They will have tea and plenty of yarn to go around!