Parades, celebrations crowd the calendar

So very much to do, and so little time

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Well, it's official.

The holidays, folks, have arrived.

That's right, you have less than four weeks to deck your halls, buy your presents, trim that tree and find your mental happy place before facing the in-laws and cousin Loulou's rock-hard fruitcake.

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In denial that Christmas is back faster than you could get last year's thank-you notes out? Need more proof than that plate of leftover turkey and stuffing in your fridge? Still averting your eyes from the decorations that have been in stores for weeks?

Then check your reality with a look at the array of holiday festivals, tree lightings and parades set to kick off the season in style beginning, well, right now.

You won't be able to deny your inner Christmas spirit after visiting one or more of these events going on across the region.

The biggest actually began Friday in the always festive foothills, where the annual Sonora Christmas Festival still promises two more days of holiday magic.

Street performers, elves, carolers, arts and crafts, food, bands, Santa and more bring a heavy dose of yuletide to the Mother Lode Fairgrounds and all who attend.

Here's a look at some of the community events set for this season. For more holiday happenings, including music and dance programs and other celebrations, check our weekly holiday calendar in Friday's Scene section.

• SONORA CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL — Today-Sunday: Entertainment, arts and crafts, food, drink, Santa, carolers, kids play area, face painting, more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora. $7 adults, $5 seniors; age 12 and under free with adult admission. 533-3473. www.fireonthemountain.com

• SONORA CHRISTMAS PARADE — Today: 5:30 p.m. Downtown Sonora

• GUSTINE'S OLDE-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS AT HOME — Saturday: Breakfast with Santa, GPS Hall, 8-11 a.m.; firetruck rides, 1-4 p.m.; Santa's workshop, noon-3 p.m.; craft fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., parade, 6 p.m. 854-6975.

• LIGHT UP A LIFE CELEBRATION — Dec. 4: Friends of Hospice annual tree lighting. Lights and ornaments available for a fee to remember ill or deceased loved ones. Refreshments following tree lighting. 6 p.m. Memorial Medical Center, Briggsmore Avenue and Coffee Road, Modesto. Free. 578-6372.

• LIVINGSTON LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE & GIFT FAIR — Dec. 4: Vendors, parade and more. Parade begins at Memorial Park on Main Street and ends at D Street. 5:30 p.m.; parade begins 7:30 p.m. Downtown Livingston. 394-8830. www.livingstoncity.com.

• TURLOCK CHRISTMAS PARADE — Dec. 4: Pre-parade activities include music, vendors and family events. Parade along Historic Main Street begins at Main and Canal. 6:30 p.m. 668-5594.

• WINTER WONDERLAND CHRISTMAS PARADE — Dec. 4: Christmas carols with parade and Santa. Joaquin Gully Road at the arch, downtown Twain Harte. 5:30 p.m.; parade 6 p.m. www.twainhartecc.com/calendar.

• CERES FESTIVAL AND CHRISTMAS TREE LANE KICKOFF — Dec. 5: Santa Workshop with arts and crafts, pictures with Santa and the Polar Post Office (children can write a letter to Santa). Christmas carolers, dancers, and more. Christmas Tree Lane closed to vehicular traffic this night only, with walking tours and horse-drawn carriages available. 5:30-7:30 p.m. festival; 7:45 p.m. Christmas Tree Lane ribbon cutting. Smyrna Park, Moffett Road, Ceres. Free. 538-5628.

• DICKENS FAIRE & VICTORIAN MARKETPLACE — Dec. 5: McHenry Mansion dressed in Christmas finery and open for free tours. People in Victorian costume, choir singing all day on the patio and vendors lining 15th Street. Food, drinks and horse-drawn wagon rides. Crafts for children from 1-3 p.m. at McHenry Museum. Stilt walker, bagpipes, pennywhistle band, folk singers and more. "The Night Before Christmas" will be read on the steps of the mansion, followed by a tree lighting on the lawn. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; story reading and tree lighting at 5 p.m.