Santa Claus will be keeping a busy schedule in Cherokee County this holiday season, with appearances scheduled throughout the community.

Friday

Ronald "Ronnie" and Betty Page this weekend will open Santa's House at 6951 Vaughn Road in Hickory Flat. The house is filled with Christmas decorations inside and out, and children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. After this weekend, hours will vary, and guests are asked to call (770) 345-6314 for updates. Admission is free. Guests can bring cameras to take free photos with Santa. Visitors are asked to park in their yard or at Sequoyah Park, but not in neighbors' yards.

Santa will arrive in Canton for the annual Love Lights A Tree ceremony benefitting the American Cancer Society's Cherokee County chapter at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at Cannon Park on the square in downtown Canton. There also will be entertainment and refreshments and a raffle of a Brenda Harris Tustian Santa painting print. Admission is free. Guests can bring cameras to take free photos with Santa. (770) 479-5551.

Saturday

Santa will be at Kmart in Canton beginning this weekend. Store officials said he'll be at the store on weekends through Christmas, with hours to vary. Photo packages will be for sale. The store is at 1750 Marietta Highway. For information, call (770) 479-8757.

Wednesday

Ball Ground Public Library will present "A Visit with Santa" at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Children of all ages are invited to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and make a special Christmas craft to take home. Admission is free. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. The library is at 435 Old Canton Road. (770) 735-2025.

Thursday, Dec. 2

Hickory Flat Public Library's annual tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus. Atlanta Harp Studio will provide seasonal music, a children's section will feature face stamping and crafts and light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. 2740 E. Cherokee Dr., (770) 345-7565.

Friday, Dec. 3

Santa will attend the 11th Annual Waleska Tree Lighting Celebration is at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, at the Northside Pharmacy parking lot at 6824 Reinhardt College Parkway. Admission is free. Guests can bring cameras to take free photos with Santa. There also will be music and refreshments. (770) 479-2912.

A parade through downtown starring Santa will kick off Ball Ground's annual Christmas festival at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Then at City Park on Gilmer Ferry Road, there will be visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, seasonal music by a saxophone quartet and a brass ensemble, free hot chocolate and marshmallow roast by the Ball Ground Optimist Club and free popcorn from the Ball Ground Lions Club. Admission is free. Guests can bring cameras to take free photos with Santa. (770) 735-2123.

First Baptist Woodstock will present the Third Annual Single Parent Christmas Party with Santa from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. The free event for single parents and their children includes food, crafts, photos with Santa, puppet show, door prizes, games and a Santa Shop. The church is at 11905 Highway 92. Robin Gerardi at (678) 494-2898.

Saturday, Dec. 4

Canton Main Street will present "Santa at the Gazebo" from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from Dec. 4 through 18 at Cannon Park on the square in downtown Canton. The free event includes visits with Santa, music and refreshments. Guests can bring cameras to take free photos with Santa. (770) 704-1500.

The Cherokee County Animal Shelter's holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, includes pet photos with Santa, tours and refreshments. Guests can bring their own cameras, or for $5 have their photo taken and receive a downloadable digital image. Pets need to be on a leash or in a secure carrier. The shelter is at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton. (770) 345-7270; www.cherokeega.com.

The Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency will present breakfast and photos with Santa at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, at the recreation center, 7545 N. Main St., Woodstock. Admission is $4 per person for breakfast and $10 per family for photos with a maximum of three people (each additional person is $2). Reservations are due by Monday. (770) 924-7768; www.crpa.net.

Santa will ride through town as part of the City of Holly Springs' Sixth Annual Christmas Parade at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. The parade route is from Holly Springs Parkway at Hiram Way to the Holly Springs Community Center in the historic train depot on Hickory Road downtown. Following the parade, there will be a party at the center with a visit from Santa, children's activities and refreshments. Admission is free. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. Karen Norred at (770) 345-5536; www.hollyspringsga.us.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church's Breakfast with Santa is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. Admission is one unwrapped toy per child to be given to needy children in Cherokee County. The church is at 490 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. (770) 516-0009.

The City of Woodstock's Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, begins with the parade starring Santa on Main Street from Highway 92 to Old Rope Mill Road. Following the parade, there will be a free festival at Woodstock City Park, 101 Arnold Mill Road, downtown with a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, tree lighting, entertainment, free marshmallow roast with s'mores and holiday gift vendors. Admission is free. Everyone is asked to bring an unwrapped toy for the Woodstock Jaycees' Christmas Assistance Program to benefit local less fortunate families. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. (770) 517-6788; www.woodstockga.gov.

Waleska First Baptist Church will present a free pancake breakfast and Christmas photo event from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. The church is at 10657 Fincher Road. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. (770) 479-1024.

Monday, Dec. 6

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at Woodstock Public Library at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6. There will be seasonal harp and dulcimer music, holiday crafts and light refreshments. Admission is free. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. The library is at 7735 Main St. (770) 928-9945.

Tuesday, Dec. 7

Rose Creek Public Library presents "Santa is Coming to Towne Lake" at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7. In addition to a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, there will be a Christmas-themed story time and craft. Admission is free. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. The library is at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (770) 591-1491.

Saturday, Dec. 11

Santa will ride through downtown Canton as part of the 23rd Annual Christmas Parade sponsored by the Canton Optimist Club on Saturday, Dec. 11. The parade will begin at the Auto Zone on Waleska Street and loop around downtown. Following the parade, there will be festivities at Cannon Park on the square including visits with Santa. Admission is free. Guests can bring a camera to take free photos with Santa. (770) 704-2481.

Santa will be at the Cherokee Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, for an arts and crafts program. Refreshments also will be served. Admission is free. Guests can bring cameras to take free photos with Santa. The center is at 94 North St. in downtown Canton. (770) 704-6244; www.cherokeearts.org.

Saturday, Dec. 18

Woodstock's Main Street Sessions series will feature a Christmas celebration with an appearance by Santa at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, at Historic Dean's Store. Christmas stories will be read and refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Guests can bring cameras to take free photos with Santa. The museum and visitor's center is at 8588 Main St. in downtown Woodstock. (770) 924-0406; kbennett@oldetownewoodstock.com.