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MURFREESBORO – Upcoming Christmas events in Murfreesboro plan to celebrate the holiday spirit like usual, but this year it will be in a safer manner due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Those events include visits with Santa and “A Step Back in Time.”

Children who were looking forward to seeing Santa during and after the now-canceled Murfreesboro Christmas parade will have an alternative way to share their wish lists this month.

The Elizabeth S. Parker Memorial Library, located at 213 E. Main Street, will host Santa Claus from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 17. The Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce will co-sponsor the event.

Participants are asked to wear masks and to social distance for the health and safety of everyone involved. The event will be held on these two nights in an effort to keep the crowd size down to make distancing easier.

“The library has also ordered plexiglass so we can be safe and follow the guidelines,” said Chamber Director Daryl Williams.

Santa’s visit from the “North Pole” will also bring along some wintery precipitation. Williams said a snow machine will make it snow outside the library for the kids to enjoy when Santa arrives.

The Murfreesboro Historical Association is also hosting an alternative event to their annual Candlelight Christmas tour this year.

“A Step Back in Time” will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12.

The public is invited to take a walk through the Historic District of the town to enjoy the Christmas cheer. That area includes the block between Williams Street, Broad Street, and Fourth Street. Free parking is available in the old Maxway parking lot as well as behind the library.

The houses will not be open for inside tours, but the outside of each building will be decked out in their usual candlelight tour decorations.

Various musicians are scheduled to perform at different venues throughout the district. There will also be an interactive Christmas tree display, outdoor cooking demonstrations, docents in historic costume, and much more for visitors to enjoy.

The event is free, but donations will be accepted. No food or drink will be served at the event.

“It looks like the weather’s going to be really good for the Historic District event this year,” Williams said.

Additionally, Murfreesboro’s “Main Street Lights” will continue through January 10. That event began in mid-November as a collaborative effort between the Chamber of Commerce, the Town, and private citizens to decorate the Murfreesboro with an array of colorful Christmas decorations.

One part of those decorations includes the “Kid’s Zone” for children to enjoy beside Revelle Realty on Main Street. Williams encouraged families to let their kids drop off letters to Santa at the box located there too.

With the abundance of Christmas lights around the town, Williams said they’re working on putting together a pamphlet about where to find Christmas lights in and outside of town. These pamphlets will be distributed to local restaurants.

“It looks unreal,” Williams said of the holiday magic light display so far. “It’s unbelievable how good it looks.”