BAY MINETTE/ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — There are plenty of activities on tap this holiday season in north and central Baldwin, beginning with a tree lighting on Thursday at North Baldwin Infirmary.

Christmas Parade and open house will be held Friday in Silverhill, while the Silverhill Covenant Church will host its annual Down Home Christmas on Saturday, featuring hand-made items.

Robertsdale’s Christmas in the Park and parade will be held Saturday, while a variety of events are planned for North Baldwin on Saturday.

The season also includes the 33rd annual Christmas Fest – a two-day extravaganza that includes tons of vendors, children’s activities, live entertainment, the annual Christmas parade and much more.

Wales West RV Resort and Light Railway will also host its annual “Arctic Express” from now through Christmas Eve and Derailed Diner in the Wilcox Community will host its annual “Polar Express” this year spanning eight nights, Dec. 9-12 and Dec. 16-19.

Here’s a round-up of some of the activities planned this holiday:

Ongoing

Arctic Express is rolling through Wales West RV Resort and Light Railway, 13670 Smiley St., off of County Road 9, Silverhill. Ride an authentic steam train through a wonderland of lights and decorations to the North Pole.

Children visit with Santa in the Winter-wonderland barn and receive a free wooden toy. Free refreshments served at the train station after the trip. Enjoy a ride on the mini-train, a sleigh/hay ride, and inflatables on the playgroup. Petting zoo, pony rides and snowball cannon are available for a small fee.

Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 13 and nightly beginning Dec. 14 through Christmas Eve.

Train rides are free with park admission, which is $15 per person, plus tax. For more information call 1-888-569-5337 or visit waleswest.com.

Thursday, Dec. 3

A special tree lighting ceremony will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at North Baldwin Infirmary. Activities will include special booths, crafts, refreshments and food trucks, giveaways and Christmas caroling. The tree lighting will take place at 6:45 p.m. NBI is on north Hand Avenue in Bay Minette.

Summerdale Christmas Concert will be held Thursday, Dec. 3 at Baldwin EMC, 19600 Highway 59, Summerdale. Doors open at 6:30, showtime begins at 7 p.m. Proceeds will support the Marjorie Younce Snook Public Library in Summerdale. Performances include Howard Reddy, Hanan Tarabay Reddy, Megan Andzulis and Victor Andzulis. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased at Summerdale Town Hall, Summerdale Library and United Bank. For more information call 251-989-2011.

Friday, Dec. 4

Christmas Parade and open house will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 in Silverhill. Line-up begins at Silverhill School and continues along Main Street (Highway 104) to Silverhill Town Hall. Town Hall and several local businesses will be open for refreshments following the parade and children are invited to visit with Santa on his sleigh located next to town hall. Visit centralbaldwin.com for a parade application or call the town hall at 251-945-5198 for more information.

Saturday, Dec. 5

Pancakes with Santa will be held 8 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The breakfast with feature pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, juice, coffee, or tea with all the fixing. After that, children can up to have their picture made with Santa. The cost is $4 for breakfast and pictures are $5.

A lighted boat parade will be part of Christmas on the River at Lower Bryant’s Landing, set for Saturday, Dec. 5. Activities get underway at 4 p.m. and include Christmas carolers, free crafts for kids, photo booth, food and fun for the whole family.

Santa pictures will be available from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and the lighted boat parade begins at 6 p.m. There is a $10 boat entry fee. Parking is $2 and proceeds will benefit the First Presbyterian Youth to help fund 2016 summer camps. For more information, call Tonya Jones at 251-253-3391 or Austin Jones at 251-243-5043.

Christmas in Perdido will be held 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Perdido School. There will be numerous vendors selling everything from homemade goodies to flowers to antiques. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase through the Perdido Alumni and Beta Club. Breakfast with Santa will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. and the cost is $5.

Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park, sponsored by the Robertsdale Rotary Club, will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 in Robertsdale. Performances by the Robertsdale High School Golden Bear concert band and choral group will be held beginning at 4 p.m. at Honeybee Park. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at Fairground Road and ends at the park. Family fun and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the park. Call the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at 251-947-2626 or visit centralbaldwin.com for an application and information on placing a float in the parade.

Sunday, Dec. 6

The Children’s Choirs at First Baptist Church will present “Fact or Fiction: The Christmas Edition” at 6 p.m. Dec. 6. The church is on North Hand Avenue in Bay Minette. There is no charge for admission.

The Children’s Choir Program at Durant Chapel Baptist Church will present “Happy Birthday Jesus, My Gift is Me” at 11 a.m. Dec. 6. The program is free and open to the public. Following the program, lunch will be served in the fellowship hall.

Monday, Dec. 7

The Baldwin County High School and Bay Minette Middle School Band programs will be hosting a joint Christmas concert on Dec. 7 starting at 7 p.m. in the Bay Minette Middle School Gym. There will also be special appearances by the Baldwin County High School and Bay Minette Middle School Choir programs. Prior to the concert, the BCHS Band Boosters will be having a silent auction and bake sale. The silent auction and bake sale will be in the BMMS cafeteria and will begin at 5 p.m. There is no admission charge for the event.

Times Independent Editor John Underwood and Tina Covington with the City of Bay Minette contributed to this report.