Christmas will come to downtown Greeneville Friday, Nov. 30.

The holiday festivities will begin at 4:45 p.m. with candlelight, music and caroling on the Greene County Courthouse lawn.

Piano students of Deane Gray and Pam Thacker will perform holiday classics.

At 5:30 p.m., the Tusculum View Chorus, under the direction of Jessica Ricker, will lead the crowd in singing Christmas favorites by candlelight.

The highlight will be the arrival of Father and Mother Christmas, portrayed by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Scheuch, to light the Community Christmas tree at 6 p.m.

Their arrival will be accompanied by "Winter and Company Snowflake Fairies."

Nearby in Town Hall, Gayle and Shane Matthews will light the Town Hall tree they donated in memory of Mondro Matthews, husband and father, while vocalist and town recorder Carol Susong welcomes the season in song at 6:20 p.m.

The rest of the downtown area is getting into the Christmas spirit as well.

Take the chill off in the lobby of the General Morgan Inn where a warm beverage reception may be enjoyed while listening to the hand bell choir of First Presbyterian Church as they perform seasonal classics, beginning after the tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Heritage Gardens will feature an old-fashioned tree lot, with the theme, "Bring the Green to Downtown."

There will be horse-drawn carriage rides. Equine Elegance of Jonesborough will load riders at the corner of Main and Depot Streets. The rides are sponsored by Main Street: Greeneville and TEVET, LLC.

Ethan Myers, of Myers Pumpkin Patch and Greenhouses, will be on the front lawn of First Presbyterian Church to assist those wandering by to make magic food for Santa's reindeer.

However, please don't feed the "Rein-de-llamas" wandering the downtown area, courtesy of Walnut Ridge Llama Farm.

The following downtown merchants will be open special hours and have special holiday offerings for shoppers and diners: Greeneville Antique Market, Chocolate Café, Art Space 4 Gallery, Greeneville Arts Council, Top Dog Hot Dogs, and the General Morgan Inn.

The wall of the Dixie Cleaners building will become a giant outdoor movie screen where "The Year without a Santa Claus" will be shown beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This animated feature helps the elves convince Santa how the Christmas spirit is important to everyone even though he has a cold and wants to take a vacation.

Multiple showings will continue with the last one at 8:30 p.m.

"Bring your lawn chair and blankets to snuggle in and enjoy the movie," said a news release from Main Street: Greeneville.

Hot food and beverages will be available for purchase from the youth of First Presbyterian Church as a fundraiser for missions.

Area churches will be open.

Also the Andrew Johnson Homestead will open its doors to welcome the holiday with hot cider and a performance by the Children's Community Choir of Greeneville at 7 p.m.

The Nathanael Greene Museum will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. with free admission; however, donations are always welcome.

The 1860's Living History and Dance Society will host a Civil War Christmas Ball -- period-correct clothing required -- from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the gym at The Andrew Johnson Complex, 310 South Main Street, which is also the location of the Nathanael Greene Museum.

A $5 fee will be charged for admission to those wishing to dance.

However, visitors are encouraged to observe at no charge. Light refreshments will be available. Contact Lynn Bowerman at 470-1000 for more dance details.

Main Street: Greeneville Board and Membership said, "We wish all of our friends and neighbors a safe and happy holiday season."