Although it's Halloween week, the Atchison community begins to turn its sites to Christmas, setting the date for the annual lighted parade to help usher in the holiday season.

According to a release from the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, the Spirit of Christmas celebration, complete with the evening parade, is scheduled for Saturday, December 7. The family friendly parade will begin promptly at 5:30 that evening, led by the Atchison Police Department.

The deadline to register if planning to enter a float in the parade is Monday, December 2, and can be done through the Chamber.

Meanwhile, a holiday season sneak-peek is set for this coming Saturday, with the kickoff of Shop Small month celebrated through the Downtown Atchison Holiday Open House.

Giveaways will happen throughout the day, with 93.7 FM broadcasting live, as part of the open house, from the 600 block of Commercial, from 11 until 1:00.