The special glow that comes with the Christmas season once again will be seen as communities across the Tri-State Area hold their light-up events.

Those evenings help to create a sense of joy and anticipation as they bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy a festive atmosphere where camaraderie always is on display.

Celebrations began on Nov. 13, when the Christmas tree in Weirton’s North End was lit.

That led up to Saturday’s Christmas on Main Street in Weirton. The annual event, presented by the Weirton Festival Committee, included vendors and family-oriented activities, as well as live entertainment, an outdoor skating rink and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. The evening ended with the lighting of Weirton’s Christmas tree in front of the Millsop Center and a fireworks display.

This is a special year for the Steubenville Nutcracker Village. The celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the display will get under way at 5 p.m. Tuesday, with the unveiling of the 10 new nutcrackers scheduled for 6 p.m. and a concert by the Ron Retzer Trio scheduled for 6:30 p.m. North Fourth Street will be closed to traffic during the evening, which will allow visitors to easily move among the nutcrackers and the many family-oriented activities that will be a part of the evening.

In Toronto on Tuesday, the tradition of lighting candles in the memory of loved ones at the Gazebo Commons. Scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., the Night of Remembrance will be presented by Inspire Toronto with the support of the Clarke and J.E. Foster funeral homes.

Historic Fort Steuben Park at the corner of Third and Market streets in Steubenville will see the return of holiday magic Friday. The city’s Holiday Market and displays will open at 3 p.m. as part of Steubenville Lights Up the Night activities.

It’s a chance to visit the nutcrackers that have earned national acclaim, shop the various vendors that will be set up, take in a performance by the Brenda Casey Dancers in the Berkman Amphitheater, see the light display at the Jefferson County Courthouse and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It all will lead up to the official lighting of the city’s Christmas tree around 6:15 p.m., which will be followed by a fireworks display.

Toronto will be celebrating Saturday, when Inspire Toronto holds its first Light-up Night Experience at the corner of North Fourth and Clark streets.

Scheduled to run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the event will include a vendor market, activities for children, entertainment, a giant Christmas tree and, of course, an appearance by Santa Claus.

Wellsburg will hold its tree lighting after Friday’s parade, which will begin at 4 p.m., and Mingo Junction’s light-up festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Aracoma Park.

We hope you will participate in the festivities as our area once again shines with the spirit of the holidays.