The City of Washington has issued a challenge to residents and business owners to show their Christmas spirit by decorating for the holidays.

First- and second-place winners of the annual Spirit of Christmas Contest receive $50 and $25 credits, respectively, on Washington Utilities bills. Winners are chosen for four categories: residential inside the historic district; residential outside the historic district; commercial inside the historic district; commercial outside the historic district. Judging for the contest is Dec. 14-20.

Washington Harbor District Alliance has leveled a different challenge, this one to boat owners. The Harbor Walk of Lights launches at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 2. Until then, those with boats at the City docks and Moss Landing Marina will be decorating their vessels for the holidays and the display will be up through Christmas. In past years, the Harbor Walk of Lights has been a major nighttime draw of visitors to downtown Washington, and those visitors are asked to vote for the best-decorated boat.

Closer to Christmas, owners of Raised in a Barn Farm in Chocowinity are bringing their holiday hayrides to downtown Washington. In partnership with Arts of the Pamlico, hayrides with Santa to see the downtown sights will be offered Dec. 21-23, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Last year’s hayrides were so popular, more were added to the schedule this season, according to Lynn Davis, executive director of the Washington Tourism Development Authority.

“I think it was very successful, especially with all the lights on downtown,” Davis said. “(The hayrides provide) that whole Americana, Norman Rockwell, Christmas feel. It’s just a great opportunity to get out and make those memories with your family and friends.”

More holiday events in Washington can be seen below.

 

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS

Nov. 30

Annual Lights of Love Tree Lighting, Vidant Beaufort Hospital

Dec. 1

Kris Kringle Craft Show, Washington Civic Center, noon to 6 p.m.

Dec. 2

Santa Claus, Caboose Park, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Washington Christmas Parade, downtown Washington, 10 a.m.

Holiday Tour of Homes, Washington, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Community Messiah Performance, Turnage Theatre, 7 p.m.

Harbor Walk of Lights, Washington waterfront, 5:30 p.m. (through December)

Dec. 6-9

Mistletoe River Roving, North Carolina Estuarium, 10:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 8

Downtown Holiday open house, Harbor District art galleries

Choral Society Christmas concert, Turnage Theatre, 7 p.m.

Dec. 9

Santa Claus, Caboose Park, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

River City Ringers, Turnage Theatre, 7-8:30 p.m.

“Polar Express,” Turnage Theatre, 3-5 p.m.

Dec. 16

Children’s Holiday Shop and “Elf” movie event, Turnage Theatre, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Santa Claus, Caboose Park, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dec. 21-23

Holiday Hayrides with Santa, downtown Washington, 6-10 p.m.

Dec. 22

The Embers Christmas concert featuring Craig Woolard, Turnage Theatre, 7 p.m.