Santa has a busy schedule this weekend, as area cities are planning community celebrations to usher in the Christmas season.

Here's what is happening:

POST FALLS - Winterfest, organized by the Parks and Recreation Department, will be held Friday from 6-7:45 p.m. at City Hall.

There will be a tree-lighting ceremony at 6:05 p.m., followed by performances by elementary school choirs from Ponderosa, Prairie View and Seltice and The Fishermen men's quartet.

A reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" will be held in the council chambers at 6:55 p.m.

There will also be make-and-take crafts and refreshments. Santa is expected to arrive around 7:35 p.m. He will be available for photos.

HAYDEN - The Hayden Lights Parade and Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be on Saturday.

The parade starts at 5 p.m. on Government Way at Hayden Avenue and will proceed south in the northbound lane to Honeysuckle.

Government Way will be closed to traffic from 4:55 to 5:45 p.m. For the best view of the parade, stand on the east side of Government Way.

Free hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will be served after the parade. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will immediately follow the parade at Hayden City Park.

There will be music by the Atlas and Hayden Meadows school choruses.

The tree will be lit by Mayor Ron McIntire, with the assistance of local children.

Santa will be in the council chambers to listen to children's wishes and distribute treats.

Donations will be accepted for the Toys for Tots campaign.

For more information on the Hayden events, call 209-1080.

RATHDRUM -December D'Lights opens on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a holiday stroll and hay rides from the Rathdrum Library.

Boarding passes for the rides are available at the library starting at 4 p.m. There will be a tree lighting at 5 p.m., along with music by the Lakeland High choir, art and appetizers.

An open house at the Lakeland Shopping Center runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Main Street Faire will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be vendors, hay rides, games, a baking contest, chili cookoff, concessions, a dash-for-cash event and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The lighted rig parade will be held on Saturday starting at 5:30 p.m. on Main, then continue through town.

Food donations for the Rathdrum Food Bank will be accepted through Saturday at Adept Business Solutions or the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on Rathdrum events, call 687-2866.

SPIRIT LAKE - Christmas on Maine Street will be held on Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the corner of Fourth and Maine.

There will be caroling by students, music by the Timberlake High band and choir, cookies, cocoa and an appearance from Santa.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Spirit Lake Books and Coffee, Spirit Lake Visions will host "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." There will be crafts, cookies, cocoa and punch.

There will be a tree lighting at the small park on Maine Street and a parade sponsored by the chamber of commerce on Saturday at 5 p.m.

ST. MARIES - Christmas in St. Maries will be on Saturday.

There will be craft fairs at the Eagles Lodge and the Grub Box from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Merchant sales on Main Street run from 1 to 5 p.m.

Santa will arrive on Main at 12:45 p.m. and be available for photos at Timber Realty from 1 to 4 p.m. Letters to Santa will be held at The Paperhouse from 1 to 4 p.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides from the Grub Box will run from 1 to 4 p.m.

The lighted Christmas parade starts at 5 p.m.

HARRISON - Winterfest will be held at City Park from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m Saturday. There will be hay rides, caroling, cider and cocoa.

ATHOL - Santa will be at the Athol Community Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 for photos. There will also be crafts, cookies and cocoa. The event is sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary 149.