The holiday season is fast approaching and so is Wayland Main Street’s eighth annual Art Hop Friday evening, Dec. 2, from 5 to 9 p.m.

The annual Christmas parade will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The streets downtown Wayland will transform Friday evening into a festive celebration of the Christmas season in an attempt to promote downtown Wayland as a wonderful place to shop, eat and play. Local businesses will be transformed into art venues for the night. Each participating business will feature unique and talented artists showcasing and or selling their art.

Downtown streets will be closed off to create a stroll friendly atmosphere and warming stations will be available. Other family activities include horse and wagon rides, strolling carolers, interactive Charles Dickens characters, the annual Christmas tree lighting and more.

Artists are encouraged to register for the opportunity to showcase and sell their art. The registration form and other information can be found at http://www.downtownwayland.com/art-hop/.

The annual pancake breakfast will be held from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Wayland Fire Department at 160 W. Superior St. For a nominal charge, guests can enjoy a hot breakfast consisting of an all-you-can-eat buffet with pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee

The Christmas parade, hosted by the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, will get under way at the Wayland VFW Post 7581, 735. S. Main St. This year’s parade theme is “Toyland.” Those entering the parade should decorate accordingly. For more information, visit the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce website.

The Wayland Boy Scout Troop 97 is encouraging parade spectators to bring non-perishable food items or gently used or new coats, gloves, scarves, boots and hats. There will be Boy Scouts walking in the parade ready to pick up and receive these items as they go by. All items will go toward the Wayland Christmas project, which donates meals and gifts to those in need.

After the parade, children can visit Santa at the Wayland Fire Department. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.

“The annual Art Hop is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season,” said Denise Behm, co-chair of Wayland Main Street’s Art Hop committee. “Art Hop is free and family friendly and brings the community and downtown district together in a celebration of downtown Wayland and the holiday season.”

For more information about the event, callWayland Main Street at (888) 417-6653 or visit the Art Hop Event page at http://www.downtownwayland.com/art-hop/.

Wayland Main Street organizes and implements a holistic revitalization program for downtown Wayland, friends and neighbors pulling together in a grassroots organization powered by community business and property owners, employees and volunteers, and residents and visitors of all ages. The program’s intent is to build a legacy by encouraging and catalyzing preservation, investment and development. For more information, visit http://www.downtownwayland.com/