Whether you're already thinking of Christmas or just trying to get past the preparations of Thanksgiving, the holiday season is in full swing across the county and state.

Lights and decorations are going up on houses, stores are readying themselves for the biggest shopping day of the year and before long, "Bing Crosby Christmas" will be playing on every radio.

Local festivities will kick off the weekend of Dec. 4-6, beginning with the 14th annual Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church from 1-5 p.m. both days. The Tinsel Trail Home Tour, sponsored by the Peachtree City New Neighbors Club, will be Dec. 5 from 2-7 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 1-6 p.m.

Of course, one of the highlights to the holiday season is participating and watching the annual parades. The fifth annual Main Street Fayetteville Christmas Parade will be Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. beginning at the Fayette Place Shopping Center. Enormous floats, horse-drawn buggies, antique cars and walking groups will be participating.

The Peachtree City Recreation Department will sponsor the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the City Hall Plaza. Santa Claus will be listening to little ones' wish lists and be available for pictures.

Lastly, sugar plum fairies will be visiting the county in several productions of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Fayette Ballet will present the 11th anniversary performance Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and again Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at the Willie Dukes Auditorium at Starr's Mill High School. For more information on tickets, call 770-631-4928 or 770-461-0976.