With Thanksgiving — and even Black Friday — now in the past, the Christmas season is officially in full swing. Events are cropping up all over the tri-state region. And with everything from parades, concerts, tree lightings, to home tours, there’s a little something for everyone this year.

BELL COUNTY

MIDDLESBORO — The Middlesboro Christmas parade will kick off next Saturday, Dec. 5, on Cumberland Avenue at 2 p.m. There is no entry fee to be in the parade. For more information, contact Parade Coordinator Teresa Brown at 606-248-2551 by Monday, Nov. 30.

PINEVILLE — The 39th annual Lighting of the Christmas Star on top of Pine Mountain will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Pineville. Everyone is welcome to attend.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY

HARROGATE, Tenn. — Lincoln Memorial University will host a lavish Christmas event on Thursday, Dec. 3 featuring the University Tree Lighting at the University Quadrangle and afterwards a concert by the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra (KSCO). They will perform a variety of classical and popular favorites at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke Hall of Citizenship Auditorium. The performance is co-sponsored by the university and the City of Harrogate. Admission is free and open to the public. The tree lighting ceremony will also feature Christmas carols, festive storytelling and a visit from Santa Claus. Refreshments will be served in the Duke Hall of Citizenship prior to the KSCO concert. The university will also once again be collecting items for Mission of Hope’s annual Christmas Campaign.

CUMBERLAND GAP, Tenn. — Father and Mother Christmas will making their annual appearance in Cumberland Gap this year on Dec. 5th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Victorian House on 511 Colwyn Avenue. At “Santa’s Village of Christmas Past” there will be a reading of The Christmas Story and the Legend of Santa. Hot cider and cookies will also be available. Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras. For more information, contact city hall at 423-869-3860. To see pictures from 2004 and 2005 visit www.cumberlandgap.com/events.

CUMBERLAND GAP, Tenn. — Ever wanted to tour some of the most beautiful and historic homes in Cumberland Gap, Tenn. at Christmas time? Well, now’s your chance. “A Dickens of a Christmas Homes Tour” will feature six homes, two churches, and a bed and breakfast open for tour. The Christmas themed tour may even include appearances by Father and Mother Christmas and refreshments will be served afterwards at the end of the tour at the Historic Bed & Breakfast. Tours are scheduled for Dec. 4th, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $10. Contact Phyllis Hobson at 423-869-4801 or Linda Creech at 423-869-8424 for more information.

EAGAN, Tenn. — A Christmas craft show will be held inside Clearfork Community Institute (170 Y Hollow Rd, Eagan, Tenn.) on Dec. 4 from 4-9 p.m. Crafters and artists will sell homemade items, Christmas wreaths, ornaments, baked goods, books by local authors, candles, and quilts. Music, food, and festivities will be provided for shoppers. Call 784-5304 for more information or to become a vendor. In the event of inclement weather, it will be rescheduled on Dec. 11 from 4-9 p.m.

CLAIRFIELD, Tenn. — Clairfield will be hosting their own Christmas parade today, starting at 1 p.m. from Clairfield school. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be moved to Dec. 5. Refreshments will be served afterwards at Claifork Fire Dept. For more information or to be involved, call Patsy Cobb at 423-784-3567.

LEE COUNTY

JONESVILLE, Va. — The annual Jonesville Christmas will take place today at 4 p.m. going from Jonesville Middle School to Powell Valley National Bank. It’s sponsored by the Jonesville Lion’s Club and Charlie and Laura Arney will be Grand Marshalls. Lights in the Park will kick-off after the parade.

EWING, Va. — Wilderness Road State Park in Ewing, Va. will be celebrating Christmas in both the past and present this holiday season. The park is planning to host events on both December 4 and 5 this year that depict the traditional historical views of Christmas in their program called “Christmas Past and Present.”

“Santa in the Wilderness” will provide a modern day feel to the Christmas season with an up-to-date Santa Claus from 3-5 p.m., while “Christmas on the Frontier” offers visitors a glimpse into the holiday past from 5-7 p.m, going back to the 18th century Virginia frontier.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.