Murfreesboro is a great place to raise a family, make new friends and enjoy traditions--especially at Christmas. You have already missed some great events, but don't let any more slip away. 

This coming weekend is filled with holiday activities including the lighting of the Rutherford County Christmas tree at 6:00 o'clock this Friday night (12/7/2012) on the historic Murfreesboro square. Santa arrives along with a host of entertainers to add a holiday flavor around the pre-Civil War era courthouse. Friday night will be like walking into a living Norman Rockwell Christmas card, complete with horse and carriage rides, plus hometown retailers and restaurants open during the event. L-R photo below: Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess, Mrs. Claus and Santa marvel at the lights on the county tree. 

And just a block away, the Murfreesboro Center for the Arts at 110 West College Street is presenting "It's A Wonderful Life.". This great Christmas story continues through December 16th with showtimes at 7:00 o'clock Friday and Saturday night and a Sunday matinee at 2:00. 

Friday and Saturday night (12/7 and 8) from 6:00 to 9:00PM you will be able to step back to a less busy time for Christmas at Cannonsburgh. This is a free service of the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department.  Cannonsburgh is located at 312 South Front Street. 

Rotary Pancake Breakfast 7:00-10:30AM This Saturday

The Murfreesboro Rotary Club continues its tradition of a pancake breakfast from 7:00 to 10:30 this Saturday morning (12/8/2012) in the cafeteria at Middle Tennessee Christian School, on Memorial across from Reeves Sain Drugstore. Tickets are $5, and you can enjoy as much as you wish. In addition to the great breakfast, there will be live Christmas music and Santa will be there. 

L-R below: Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg and First Lady Jeanne have a serious discussion with Santa at an earlier Rotary Pancake Breakfast. Reports indicate they both told St. Nick that they had been "nice" over the past year. 

Bethlehem Marketplace Noon-5PM Saturday and Sunday

Southeast Baptist Church at 708 Minerva Drive presents its Annual Bethlehem Marketplace from noon to 5:00PM this Saturday and Sunday. 

This is a walk-through drama re-enacting how the village of Bethlehem might have appeared the morning after the birth of Jesus. Its atmosphere and surroundings are those of 2000 years ago. It features characters in historically-accurate costumes such as Roman soldiers, prisoners, tentmakers, weavers, carpenters, merchants in shops, census-takers, and more. Talk among the Marketplace characters is from that long-ago time. Live camels and other animals lend authenticity to the re-enactment, and twentieth-century items do not appear. There is no admission, no donation accepted, and nothing actually is for sale.

Christmas Parade 2PM This Sunday Afternoon

The local Rutherford County Christmas Parade steps off at 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon and features a wide assortment of floats, walking groups, bands, historically related units along with Grand Marshal Colton Dixon from the American Idol television show. The parade starts in front of the MTSU president's home, goes down East Main Street, around the square, onto West Main and then ends on Walnut Street. The theme of this year's Christmas Parade is "Jingle Bell Rock".

Below: Santa rounds the historic Murfreesboro square during an earlier parade, while passing out candy along the parade route.

While you're downtown on Sunday, after the parade head to Historic Bradley Academy for their Christmas Open House. From 3:00 to 5:00PM you'll be able to tour the museum, have you picture made with Santa, enjoy refreshments, Christmas tree displays and music. Bradley Academy is at 415 South Academy Street

Other Yule Attractions This Weekend

Northside Baptist Church at 655 West Thompson Lane is presenting the production of "A Night In The Toy Store".  The production features more than 75 actors and singers dressed as classic and contemporary toys, who tell the Christmas story through drama and song. Admission is free and childcare is provided for infants to 3 year olds.

And the dinner theatre production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" wraps up this weekend at the Arts Center of Cannon County in neighboring Woodbury. Dinner and performances are at 6:30PM Friday and Saturday evening, along with a 1:30PM Sunday afternoon brunch. 

Try to attend as many of these festive events as possible. It will help put you in the Christmas spirit while starting a family tradition for you.