PICKENS — The Pickens Revitalization Association, The City of Pickens and numerous city businesses and organizations have combined to help celebrate Christmas all through the month of December.

“Borrowing from the Dickens Christmas tradition, A Pickens Christmas simply brings together all the many free, family fun events and activities that will occur throughout the city,” said Doug Finney, PRA event chairman. “Adding a few new events, assisting with several existing ones and simply listing others has provided an impressive list of things to do throughout the month.”

The month begins with the traditional uptown tree lighting ceremony on December 1. This year, there will be Christmas caroling, award presentations for youth art, merchant decorating and ornament design competitions as well as a “Snow Ball Barrel.” The barrel will be filled with balls and everyone will have a chance to pick one. Many will be exchangeable for special merchant discounts, surprises and cash awards.

The cash and gift card awards will be given to the winners of new PRA sponsored contests that include a merchant store decorating contest, an ornament design contest for students and adults and a student Christmas art competition. Ornament design entries will be on display at The Avocado Tree on Johnson Street and the student art can be viewed in select area restaurants.

The 2012 Pickens City Christmas parade will be held December 15 at 6 p.m. The evening event promises to be exciting with its theme of “Christmas Lights”. Everyone is encouraged to come early to get a good viewing place and to hear Christmas carolers preceding the parade. The award ceremony and refreshments will follow at the Pickens Presbyterian Church. Parade rules and entry forms are available on both the city and historic Pickens websites.

Other events throughout the month include Christmas concerts, holiday plays, special merchant sponsored events, a breakfast visit from Santa, an illumination ceremony and Christmas Eve services.

A Pickens Christmas posters and flyers, listing all the activities, will be available at City Hall, in the PRA office on Court Street and at merchants throughout the city. All the events, activities, parade rules and contest details are available by visiting www.historicpickens.com, the PRA web site.