Christmas is many things to many people.

But at its heart, Dec. 25 is about celebration. Music, food, bell ringing and several appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus will highlight the days ahead on Cape Ann.

Here a partial list of upcoming holiday activities over the coming days:

Celebrate the spirit of the season by walking or driving around Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport to see more than 100 illuminated locations taking part in the fourth Annual Winter Lights on Cape Ann. Enjoy downtown shopping districts filled with festive displays and goodies, and vote in the decorating contest for favorites, and a chance to win a $50 Greater Cape Ann Gift Check! Visit discovergloucester.com/winter-lights-cape-ann for an interactive map, downloadable brochure, and voting link. Voting went live on Nov. 25.

In Gloucester, activities include “Deck the Halls” Holiday Celebration at Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Ave., during weekends in November and December. Christmas trees and White Birch trees at the museum will be arranged with garlands and festive wreaths. For more information, call 978-283-2080.

“Christmas Soiree at The Franklin,” will take place Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Participants are asked to join a holiday candle-making night, which will include private shopping offered by local vendors. The Franklin Cape Ann is at 118 Main St. in Gloucester. Tickets, $60, can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com.

The Gloucester Fishtown Horribles Parade hosts it second annual Parade of Trees at the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church, 38 Gloucester Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On both days, there’ll be a toy drive, the Gloucester Student Band will perform from noon to 1 p.m. and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be ornament decorating on Saturday as well as a visit from Anna, Elsa and Kristoff from “Frozen” from 4-6 p.m., and cookie decorating on Sunday. Groups ranging from nonprofits to businesses to families are signing up to bring their own tree or pay $20 to decorate a tree supplied by the committee for the weekend display. The last day to register to enter a tree is Thursday, Nov. 30. Tree set-up and decorating is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, from 5-9 p.m. Visitors to the Parade of Trees can take a chance on bringing one of the decorated trees home by buying 10 raffle tickets for $5 (cash or Venmo accepted).

Downtown shops will be offering specials all day long for the 50th Ladies Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7. Honky Tonk Women have been booked to sing, and carolers will be walking and singing up and down Main Street.

The 25th Middle Street Walk takes place Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with horse-drawn hay rides from noon to 3 p.m. All events include music, kids activities, tours of historic houses and museums. A dedication of the Gloucester 400+ Bronze Planter Project, spearheaded by Generous Gardeners, will happen at 3 p.m. at the Fishermen’s Memorial on Stacy Boulevard. A complete schedule of events hosted by the Middle Street Walk Committee can be found at middlestreetwalk.org.

The Lobster Trap Tree Lighting, hosted by Cape Ann Art Haven and the informal end of the Middle Street Walk, happens Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. at Solomon Jacobs Park off Harbor Loop by Coast Guard Station Gloucester.

During the 46th Men’s Day — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 14 — Main Street businesses offer refreshments, special discounts and help to make the perfect selection for that special person.

The 12th annual Spruce Road Christmas Extravaganza will be held Saturday, Dec. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Gloucester House Pub. This event benefits the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com.

Then, from Dec. 27 to 30, a Christmas Guided Retreat will take place at the Eastern Point Retreat House, 37 Niles Pond Road. For more information, call 978-283-0013.

In Rockport, Santa makes an early visit, arriving by boat on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m. at T-Wharf followed by the lighting of the holiday tree in Dock Square. In between, children can have photos taken with Santa and do Christmas crafts from 1-3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Rockport, and holiday carolers perform at Dock Square at 4 p.m.

Those attending are asked to dress appropriately for this free event. For more information, call Michelle Pepin at 978-283-1601.

Then, Rockport Holiday Shopping Night take places Friday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 9 p.m. in and around Dock Square. Included will be a shopping stamp card, raffle and after party at the Fish Shack. For details, visit www.rockportusa.com.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1-3 p.m. Holiday Wagon Rides will take place in Dock Square. Tractor-pulled wagons will ferry people along Bearskin Neck, passing the shops and galleries festively adorned with holiday decorations. The rides, sponsored by Seaview Farms in Rockport, will depart from Dock Square at about 15-minute intervals. Participants will be serenaded to the music of the Outdoor Carolers and the Quintessential Brass Musicians.

On Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m., Christmas caroling will take place at Rockport Baptist Church, 4 High St.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, from 5-6 p.m. the 78th annual Rockport Christmas Pageant will be held. The Rockport Art Association and Museum will again present the pageant, a torch-lit live re-enactment of the Nativity. Also performing will be the North Shore Men’s Christian Choir.

In past years, hundreds of spectators have gathered to watch the story of baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The procession starts at Dock Square and proceeds up Main Street to the “Old Sloop,” the First Congregational Church of Rockport.

Also, performances of “Christmas with the Back Bay Ringers,” is scheduled at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main St., on Sunday Dec. 17, from 2-4 p.m. and again from 5-7 p.m. Tickets, $20, are available at rockportmusic.org.

On Dec. 23 and 24, local merchants will offer deals for “Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Weekend.”

Following that, Rockport New Year’s Eve will be held in Rockport on Sunday, Dec. 31. from 6 p.m. to midnight. The purchase of a button — $15, $10 for children, through Dec. 15 and $20 thereafter at various retailers and Rockportnye.org — admits the wearer to a multitude of event in various locales around town. Find the schedule at Rockportnye.org.

In Essex, festivities get started with a wreath-decorating workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 5-7 p.m. with Susie Talbot at the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main St. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.essexshipbuilding.org/tickets/wreath-decorating-workshop.

On Friday, Dec. 1, from 4-6 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to arrive by boat at the Town Landing in front of Shipbuilding Museum for “A Very Essex Christmas Celebration.” Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 5 p.m. Music and snacks will be offered. For more information, call 978-768-7541.

The Shipbuilding Museum will host a Holiday Market in its Waterline Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring unique gifts from curated vendors.

In Manchester-by-the-Sea, the town celebrates Christmas-by-the-Sea this coming weekend. It kicks off when the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce hosts a Christmas Party and 50/50 Raffle at Bravo by the Sea on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 4-7 p.m.

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum hosts a Holiday Open House from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, with a children’s program and crafting, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, with ornament crafting. Holiday cards will be on sale.

The Manchester Holiday Stroll takes place Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4-8 p.m. at downtown businesses with a chance to win one of three prizes from participating businesses. In addition, there will be a 50/50 raffle. Details and passbooks will be available at local businesses.

Those with children can enjoy a “Parent’s Night Out” during the stroll. Parents may drop off their children in their pajamas from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church, where free pizza will be served and a holiday movie will be shown. This event is for children ages pre-K to Grade 5 and registration is required at cornerstonenorthshore.org.

In addition, the Friends of the Manchester Public Library will hold a Holiday Book Fair from 4-8 p.m. at the First Parish Church Hall, behind Santander Bank.

“Lindsey & Her Puppets” will take perform Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at First Parish Church Hall, behind Santander Bank. This event is sponsored by the Manchester Public Library.

Later Saturday, Santa will arrive by boat and then lead children in the Jingle Bell Walk around Masconomo Park about 1-3 p.m. Santa will then be available for photos. There will also be a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, a candy cane hunt and refreshments.

At 4 p.m., a “Night of Stars” Talent Show will be held at Manchester Essex Regional High School, 36 Lincoln St. Tickets are available at www.spauldingeducationalfund.org.

On Sunday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon, “Breakfast & Photos with Santa” will take place at the Manchester Masonic Lodge, 10 Church St. Admission for adults is $12 and children under 5 are free.

Then from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Manchester Public Library will hold an open house so patrons may meet Cynthia Gemmell, the new library director, and also to meet members of the Library Board of Trustees.

After that, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., people are invited to join a traditional carols sing at First Parish Church, 10 Central St.

Finally, the Community Friendship Tree Lighting & Program will be held at 3:30 p.m. in front of Town Hall, 10 Central St. The program features a concert by the Manchester Essex Regional High School Band, Chorus and Sound Waves, as well as a performance by the students of the Ballet de Mar School. The tree lighting is scheduled to take place at dusk.

Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at [email protected].