It ’ s beginning to look a lot like Christmas again . Bristol is staging an intimate European-style holiday market as part of its annual Christmas Festival . The town ’ s Grand Illumination and light parade takes place Dec . 4 from 5:30 to 7 p . m ., including a procession through town with Santa Claus and the lighting up of the downtown and tree . The following weekend , on Dec . 11 and 12 , visitors can spend Festival Weekend browsing the holiday market that includes six handmade huts in front of the Burnside Building at 400 Hope Street . Vendors will sell everything from gingerbread cookies and specialty foods to hot chocolate and grog ( for the adults ). The market continues next door at St . Michael ’ s Parish , where there will be more holidaythemed gifts made by local craftspeople . Visitors can watch live wood-carving and ice-sculpting demonstrations , enjoy performances by Irish dancers , carolers and a brass quartet , and purchase treats from local food trucks , including the liege waffles from the Burgundian and treats from Sarcastic Sweets . Inside the Burnside Building , there will be crafts projects available for kids as well as visits with Santa . “ The town will be lit up and shops will be encouraged to stay open on that Saturday and Sunday ,” says Michael J . Rielly , chairman of the Bristol Christmas Festival committee . “ There will be lots of music and singing . I am hoping this becomes a tradition and we can continue to do this every year .” Dec . 11 , 10 a . m .– 8 p . m .; Dec . 12 , noon – 6 p . m . 400 Hope St ., Bristol , christmasbristolri . com — JAMIE COELHO

14 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l DECEMBER 2021