The holiday fun started in Covington Nov. 20 with the lighting of the Square. But the joy isn’t extinguished. Santa Claus will make several stops on the Square from now until Christmas, and will even come to The Covington News Dec. 5 and 11 from 6-8 p.m.

The Covington Square
Other events on the Covington Square are family friendly with plenty of holiday film favorites.

Friday, Dec. 5, the Grinch comes to the Square as Mainstreet Covington presents “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starting at 6 p.m. The Square will transform to Whoville, and the Grinch, himself, will make an appearance. Children are invited to decorate the Whoville Tree and enjoy hot chocolate and smores.

The following Friday, Dec. 12, Mainstreet Covington presents “Frosty the Snowman” starting at 6 p.m. The events continue until 9 p.m., with a snow machine on hand, smores and hot chocolate, and for the children, Reindeer Games and a trackless train. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at their Covington workshop, located on the corner of the Square nearest Scoops, to greet children and take pictures.

The third and final film in the series hosted by Mainstreet Covington is on Dec. 19, “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.” Again, the fun takes place from 6-9 p.m., featuring Reindeer games, smores, hot chocolate and more. There will also be live Reindeer, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Covington
Along with the three movies being shown on the Square, there are plenty of other Holiday activities in Newton County. The Newton County Arts Association presents Christmas in Covington concert, featuring Oxford Singing Children and the Oxford Youth Singers will be held Dec. 5 and 6 at the First United Methodist Church of Covington. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. Both performances will begin at 7 p.m.

Another Christmas song event will be A Choral Guild Christmas presented by the Covington/Conyers Choral Guild. The musicological journey through the 12 Days of Christmas will be Dec. 4 at the First Baptist Church in Covington and Dec. 5 at the Rockdale Auditorium. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. with a $10 ticket.

If you want to see more than music head to downtown Covington Dec. 6 for the annual Lions Club Christmas Parade. The parade is themed Songs of the Season, and will start at 10 a.m.

On Monday, Dec. 8 the Newton County Band will perform Sounds of the Holidays at Eastside High School for free starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Christmas season just wouldn’t be the same without a presentation of the Nutcracker. Saturday, Dec. 13 the Covington Regional Ballet presents the holiday show at 2 and 7 p.m. The following day, Sunday, Dec. 14, the Nutcracker will perform at 3 p.m. All performances are at the Porter Auditorium for $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for students.

Porterdale
On Friday, Dec. 5 another Newton County tradition takes place with Porterdale’s 9th Annual Christmas Parade. The parade begins at 7 p.m. and will feature live reindeer, Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves and the lighting of the Water Tank star and tree.

Also in Porterdale, the Porter Gymnasium presents the 6th Annual TUBA Christmas, starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Oxford
The holiday celebrations come to Oxford Saturday, Dec. 6 with the Southern Folk Advent at the Old Church, at 4 p.m.
Oxford has been celebrating its 175th anniversary all during 2014, and will gather for a convocation Sunday, Dec. 7. The convocation begins at 11 a.m., and will feature the Oxford College Chorale and a guest speaker of Rev. Dr. Herchel Sheets.

Newton County
You have a chance to shop, play games and listen to music at the Holiday Market and Santa Breakfast at Allen Memorial United Methodist Church. The event runs from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, with Santa making an appearance from 9-11 a.m. A breakfast of pancakes and sausage will be available all day for $3.50 and $5.

Also on Saturday, Dec. 13 the Newton County Sheriff’s Office will hold its 16th annual Toy Ride, leaving from the Kmart shopping center on Hwy. 278. The ride ends at The Church of Covington on Hwy. 142.

Conyers
Also on Friday, Dec. 5, the Olde Town Christmas Party returns from 5-8 p.m. featuring complimentary carriage and train rides, a Secret Santa Shop for children, visits and photos with Santa at the Depot and shopping and dining specials throughout Olde Town Conyers.

Saturday Dec. 6 Hometown Holidays Parade and Tree Lighting dec 6. Parade starts at 4:30 p.m. and winds its way through Olde Town around 70 entries for floats.

The tree lighting ceremony will be held at the Rockdale Auditorium, at 903 Main Street. Performances from community groups, troupes, schools and more will help Santa and Mrs. Claus with their tree lighting duties.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, the Conyers Pilot Club Christmas Tour of Homes returns for its 17th season with five beautifully decorated, historic homes in Olde Town Conyers. The tour runs 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 day of and can be purchased from Pilot Club members or at the Olde Jail Museum, 967 Milstead Ave. The Olde Jail is also the starting point of the tour.

Additional inspiring holiday performances include First Baptist of Conyers’ Living Christmas Tree performance, Dec. 12 7p.m. , Dec. 13 2 pm. And 6 p.m. The Atlanta Boys Choir returns Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Ga. Highway 212, Conyers. Tickets for this 34-year Christmas tradition are $20 adults, $15 under 16, at www.trappist.net/events/christmas-concert-dec-13. For more, contact monastery@trappist.net, 678-964-2237.