Bethany Beach sets holiday activities and tree lighting Dec. 3

The Town of Bethany Beach will host its annual holiday happenings Saturday, Dec. 3, free and open to kids of all ages. There is no rain date.

A story time and meet and greet with local mother-daughter writing team Carol and Cori Burcham is set for 10:30 a.m. at the nature center, 807 Garfield Parkway. They will read aloud from their picture book, “Goodness Gracious Golly Gee, I Forgot My Christmas Tree!” and tell listeners how their picture book got its name.

Santa will make his triumphant return to town hall to take photos with children from 1 to 3 p.m. Refreshments include hot cocoa and cookies. Face painters will be on site, and there will be a station for children to write letters to Santa.

Trolley rides through downtown and beach tractor rides will run from 1 to 4 p.m. A second trolley will be available until 6 p.m. to transport attendees to and from the event, with pickup locations at Bethany Beach Books, Grotto Pizza next to the nature center, and South Coastal Library.

The annual holiday tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m. at the Bandstand Plaza. A special concert will feature the Southern Delaware School of the Arts Show Choir. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of hats, gloves, scarves and canned goods that will be delivered to local charities. Those who cannot attend the event can watch it from the Boardwalk West View beach cam on the town website at townofbethanybeach.com/365/Beach-Cams.

Weekend Wonderland in Bethany, a town-wide collaboration with the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and participating businesses, will offer special activities and incentives from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the three Saturdays leading up to Christmas, Dec. 3, Dec. 10, and Dec. 17.