Here is what Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation has in store for holiday happenings in December.

Santa Parade: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Main Street. Parade runs from Auburn High School to Auburn City Hall with lighted vehicles, floats, cars and walking entries filling Main Street with holiday joy. Join in the fun at City Hall for live music before and after the parade. The city wraps up the event with the annual tree lighting at City Hall plus a visit from Santa. All community, families, nonprofits and businesses are welcome to participate. All entries wishing to participate in the parade must register in advance by Nov. 29 at www.auburnwa.gov. All entries must have a lighted element.

Tree lighting: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2, City Hall Plaza. Mayor Nancy Backus has randomly picked the official tree lighter for 2023, and his name is Lucas Fernandez. Check out the video of the mayor announcing the auspicious event. Be sure to stick around after the tree lighting for live music and snow.

Gingerbread contest: Dec. 1-15, Auburn City Hall. This free event celebrates the holidays and brings the community together to see what Auburn can build. Fifteen gingerbread structures will be on display in the upstairs hallway of Auburn City Hall.

Festival of Trees: Nov. 15 to Dec. 30, White River Valley Museum. The White River Valley Museum has your new holiday tradition Wednesday through Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., where you can catch the spirit of the season with holiday trees festooned by local businesses and organizations.

Holiday Crafts at Postmark Center for the Arts: Art sessions run from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 2, and from 3 to 4 p.m. same day. Get your craft on prior to Auburn’s Santa Parade festivities with a holiday trio of arts and crafts. The Postmark will be offering two holiday arts activity workshop sessions. Register to create up to three art projects at the Postmark Center for the Arts including reindeer handprint ornaments, pop-up Christmas cards and 3D snowflakes. Registration is $5 per person.

Red, White and Blue Holiday Concert: 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Auburn Performing Arts Center, 702 4th St. NE. Sing in the holidays with this annual free community concert performed by the America’s First Corps Army Band. Don’t miss your chance to hear this festive concert presented by the Army’s best. Enjoy all of your favorite holiday music and carols. Tickets are free but required for admission and will be available for pickup at the Auburn Community and Event Center, or can be reserved online. Limit 6 per family. Visit www.auburnwa.gov/events.

An Inspirational Christmas With Elvis: 7 p.m. Dec. 7, Green River College’s Cascade Hall, 12401 SE 320th St. As a child, Danny Vernon noticed that Elvis Presley’s voice, soul and presence would cut through even the deepest of scratches on his father’s RCA records. Vernon began singing along with those albums at a very early age. Join him as he presents classic Elvis along with some great traditional Christmas selections. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for students and seniors.

The Karen Carpenter Tribute Band: “A Carpenter’s Christmas” starts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Green River College, Student Affairs Building, 12401 SE 320th St. The band presents beloved Christmas songs from the popular Carpenters Christmas album, “A Christmas Portrait,” as well as many other hits. With the rich, smooth sound that vocalist Rebecca Hardiman delivers, you can close your eyes and imagine Karen Carpenter is right there. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for students and seniors.

For complete event information and registration or entry forms, visit www.auburnwa.gov/events.