The first three weekends in December will be holiday central in Fairfax City. Here are the details:

Festival of Lights and Carols

This annual event is set for Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon-6 p.m., in Old Town Square, 10415 North St. There’ll be live, holiday music plus s’mores and hot cider. The festivities will also include caroling and the lighting of the Christmas tree there at 5:30 p.m.

Twins Ace Hardware Holiday Party

Also on Dec. 7, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Twins Ace Hardware at 10310B Main St. will hold a family-friendly celebration filled with holiday-themed activities. They include gifting and home-decorating demonstrations and a photo opportunity with Santa Claus benefiting Children’s National Medical Center. Free goodie bags will be given out while supplies last. Children may write letters to Santa and there’ll be a coloring-book giveaway.

Guests will also enjoy tasty treats, cold brew created on the grill and special offers on products for holiday gifting. In addition, the store will welcome renowned chef and Ace Hardware national grilling spokesperson, Jason Morse, plus Team Traeger.

“We’re excited to host our neighbors, family and friends at our Christmas party, and we’re delighted that Chef Jason and Team Traeger will join us for the fun,” said Twins Ace Hardware co-owner Craig Smith. “We can’t wait to see what they create on our versatile, outdoor grills.” For more information, visit: www.twinsacehardware.com/events.

Lunch with Santa

Children will enjoy crafts, lunch and holiday characters in costume, Saturday, Dec. 14, at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive. There’ll be three seatings – at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Purchase tickets at City Hall, 10455 Armstrong St.; Green Acres, 4401 Sideburn Road and the Sherwood Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy., or via fairfaxva.gov.

Holiday Market

The third annual City of Fairfax Holiday Market will be held in Old Town Square, all three weekends, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from Dec. 6 through Dec. 22. A wide variety of craft vendors will sell their wares, with different vendors scheduled each weekend. covered in holiday lights. The fun will include music, hot drinks and gourmet treats.

Dates for the Holiday Market are: Weekend One, Dec. 6-8; Weekend Two, Dec. 13-15; and Weekend Three, Dec. 20-22. The times are: Fridays, 5-8 p.m.; Saturdays, noon-6 p.m.; and Sundays, noon-4 p.m. The vendors are as follows:

Weekend One

…with love stationery collections

ABB Handmade

Ahh…Candles

All That Yazz

Altyn Clark Glass

Bella's Sterling Silver Jewelry

Culpeper Craftsmen

Frocks + Frills

Just Breathe Natural Scents

Made From Coins

Metro-Retro

Penguin Bean Designs

Textile Philes

True Honey Teas

Trupti's Craft

Uniquely Sea Glass LLC

Weekend Two

AMC Woodcrafts

Area718 by Karen Mullarkey

Artsy Like Whoa

Bags2Cute

Bandwagon LLC

Betty Jane's Sweet Delights, Inc.

Cindy's Special Gift

Crochet Treasures

Gourd Art

Homemade Heartfelt

LikeablebBeads by Lisabeth

Little Hat Creek Farm, LLC.

Moonchildren Boutique

Nativo Condiments and Seasonings

Sprelly LLC

Sprout Head

Whole Grain Goods

Weekend Three

Wood and Glass Design

Pet Wants Chantilly

Cupcakes & Beyond

e.c. ornaments

Stix & Stones

Savage and Sweet

InterNutritionals, LLC.

Crescent Clay

Yarn Chef Creations

Artisanal Leather Aprons

Grandma Mary's Buttons & Bows

Mandi's Dandies Soaps & Such

Murrell's Salsa

Silverstar/Painted Coins

The Secret Jewelry Garden

Art by Zachary Sasim

Menorah Lighting

The annual lighting of the menorah, to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, will be held Sunday, Dec. 22, at sundown, in Old Town Square. The festivities will include special treats to eat, plus live entertainment.