Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now it's time to kick full gear into the holiday season. A number of events are being held this weekend, starting on Friday night.

Friday, Dec. 2

Holiday duck race and tree lighting ceremony at the Y

The annual holiday duck race will take place Friday, Dec. 2, 6-6:30 p.m., in the indoor pool of the Torigian Family YMCA. Rubber ducks cost $5 each, and the first duck to reach the end of the pool wins the race.

According to membership director Jen Forgione, the purpose of this event is to raise money for the YMCA youth fund.

Once the rubber duckies are out of the pool, the YMCA staff will commence the annual tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in the main lobby.

There will be a visit from Santa and friends, including his reindeer (bring a camera), holiday refreshments, holiday music from a DJ and family fun.

"Our director, Greg Griffin, will light the tree," Forgione said. "The purpose of this activity is just to have fun with the family."

Forgione noted both activities bring out 200 to 500 people, including parents with children, and are the YMCA's most popular children's events of the year.

For information on both weekend events, visit PeabodyYMCA.org.

Saturday, Dec. 3

A holly, jolly breakfast with Santa

Want some extra face time with Santa before the big day? If you're a member of the Simon Kidgits Club, bring the little one(s) to the Kidgits Santa breakfast Saturday, Dec. 3, 8-10 a.m., in the Food Court at the Northshore Mall.

For more information, click here.

Holiday craft fair at Burke School

The Burke Elementary School holiday fair will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the school. Admission is free, but there is $5 fee for story hour and children's crafts activities.

Sunday, Dec. 4

An interfaith family holiday workshop

The workshop "What is an Interfaith Family to Do?" will be held Sunday, Dec. 4, 10:15-11:30 a.m., at Temple Beth Shalom. All interfaith families (adults only) are invited to discuss many common concerns, such as the pressure to "do the holidays right." There is no cost to attend the workshop, which is open to temple members and non-members alike.

Peabody resident Jodi Coburn, life-long temple member, will lead the discussion. 

"I will follow an outline on how to keep all relatives happy with each other's traditions," she told Peabody Patch. "I will talk about how children should understand what's behind each tradition, and how a comfortable home environment should be created with respect to each other's beliefs."

She added the temple has one-third interfaith families. Her husband, Steve Blumenkratz, was a Lutheran but converted to reformed Judaism, which takes the Torah less literally, so the connection is close to her heart.

Coburn said the workshop is geared towards Jewish-Christian marriages and dating relationships, but applies to all beliefs. A follow-up workshop may be held during the Easter-Passover season this spring.

For more information, email bdavison@templebethshalom.org, or call 978-535-2100.

All weekend long

Holiday concerts at City Hall

Mayor Michael Bonfanti and the Peabody Concert Committee will host the annual weekend of Holiday Concerts at City Hall, Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4.

Back this year is Dr. Dirk Hillyer and the Hillyer Festival Orchestra. They will entertain with music of the season, and will be joined by Renese King and Peter Adams. For those who have been to previous concerts, these two singers need no introduction, and for first-time attendees, it may be quite a treat. The Peabody High Chorale, under the direction of Jon Simmons, will be on hand to lend their voices to the nights' festivities.

A dinner will be served, preceding the concert, by Vinwood Caterers. During the intermission, coffee and dessert will be served, and as usual, a cash bar is available.

Dinner is at 7 p.m., followed by the concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Dinner is at 5 p.m. with the concert at 6 p.m. on Sunday. On Saturday, doors to the auditorium will not open until 6:45 p.m. On Sunday, doors to the auditorium will not open until 4:45 p.m.

Check with the Mayor's office to see if tickets are still available. Call 978-538-5704. Tickets will not be available for sale at the door. Ticket prices are $25 for balcony chairs seats; $40 for balcony table seats and $45 for orchestra table seats.

A Santa photo experience at the mall

Santa is back to celebrate the holiday season through Dec. 24 in the Lower Level of the Nordstrom Wing at the Northshore Mall.

Take a photograph with Santa before he leaves on Christmas Eve.

If you're not a Simon Kidgits Club member, you can sign up at Simon Guest Services anytime or at the event. A $5 annual membership fee applies for the event. Click here for more information.

For information, visit http://www.simon.com/mall/Events.aspx?id=338.