The Christmas season officially arrives this weekend, with Santa Claus riding on the back of a fire truck.

Santa’s grand arrival will be at the end of Winchester’s annual Christmas parade, which begins on Main Street at 6 p.m. Saturday. The county Christmas tree will be lit, which will start the parade through downtown Winchester.

In carrying the theme of “A Magical Musical Christmas,” The Martin Family Circus will be the grand marshal of the parade. The family band, led by Winchester native and Grammy Award winner Paul Martin, will perform at Leeds Center for the Arts today at 7:30 p.m. Local Chris Carpenter will open the show. donations will be accepted of non-perishable food and household supplies for the Clark County Homeless Coalition. Adult tickets are $12 and child and student tickets are $8.

Santa will actually make an earlier stop in Winchester Saturday for photos at the Clark County Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is open to all and photos are free.

The Winchester Chorale’s annual Christmas performances are this weekend as well, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at First Christian Church. The Chorale included more than 50 members, directed by Mike Dunn. This year’s show, “We Need A Little Christmas,” features guest saxophonist Angelina Huguely.

If parents need a couple hours of child-free shopping time, Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation is offering Parents Night Out from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the College Park Gym on Wheeler Avenue. Children are promised a time of pizza, games and crafts, among other activities. Cost is $5 for members in advance, or $10 for members and non-members on Saturday. All children must have a completed registration form to attend.