We’re solidly into November, and, while the weather has offered a few hints during the past week, the calendar reminds us that the spirit of the holiday season is ready to shine brightly in communities throughout the Tri-State Area.

Area activities got underway Thursday in Weirton, when the annual North End Christmas Tree Lighting was held at the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

That spirit will continue to shine in Weirton on Nov. 22, with the Christmas on Main Street event. Scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in front of the Millsop Community Center, it will feature many activities, including ice skating, inflatables, a carousel and train rides, as well as a variety of food and craft vendors, live entertainment and other activities, including the lighting of the city’s tree and fireworks.

For those who enjoy being outdoors, officials with the Franciscan University of Steubenville say the Rink at Franciscan Square should be open soon. The area’s only outdoor ice-skating rink is made possible by the university and the support of numerous area businesses and individuals.

Steubenville will help to welcome the holiday season on Nov. 25, when the Steubenville Nutcracker Village opens. Organizers with the Steubenville Cultural Trust have said more than 200 of the life-size figures — the largest such collection in the world — will stand at attention throughout the downtown area. The evening will include music, dancing, the lighting of decorated Christmas trees and the unveiling of the newest nutcrackers. Street vendors and downtown shops will be open for the event, which will be held rain or shine. Fourth Street will be closed to traffic that evening, offering all who attend a chance to walk through the area and enjoy all that the evening will have to offer.

Also on Nov. 25, the Night of Remembrance luminaria ceremony will be held at the gazebo in Toronto.

The annual Steubenville Lights up the Night event will be held Nov. 28 in Fort Steuben Park. The night features the opening of the holiday market and will include the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and fireworks, and the opening of the sound and light show outside of the Jefferson County Courthouse. The Brenda Casey Dancers, Honkytonk Sweethearts and the Ron Retzer Trio are scheduled to appear, as are Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Nov. 29 will see performances of excerpts from “The Nutcracker” by the Canton Ballet at the Masonic Temple on Fourth Street in partnership with the Steubenville Cultural Trust.

Also on Nov. 29, Inspire Toronto will hold its Light-up Night Experience at the corner of North Fourth and Clark Streets. Set to begin at 5 p.m., the evening will be built around the theme of Miracle on Toronto’s Fourth Street. Among the many activities scheduled are skating, shopping, live reindeer, train rides, live music, a Build-a-Bear event in conjunction with the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, the city’s annual tree lighting event and, of course, Santa and elves. The Toronto Christmas Art Festival will run in conjunction with that event.

Parades are a staple of the Christmas season, and this year’s lineup opens on Nov. 22, when Wellsburg holds its annual parade with a Christmas Market to follow on the Town Square. Weirton’s annual parade is set for Nov. 29, and, on Dec. 6, Fourth Street in Downtown Steubenville will come alive with the annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas parade.

Also on Dec. 6, the holiday spirit will continue to shine during Christmas at Historic Beatty Park. The event will feature a live Nativity, Santa Claus and elves, local musicians and choirs, holiday hikes, a Christmas storybook walk, free food, crafts, a fire and stories at the Old Stone Lodge and more.

Follansbee will hold its annual holiday light-up event on Dec. 6.

The Wintersville Winter Weekend will return on Dec. 6-7 and will include the village’s annual Christmas parade beginning at 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Toronto’s Christmas parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

And, Richmond will hold its Christmas parade at 5 p.m. Dec. 13.

These are just some of the many events that will be held throughout the region during the next several weeks. They offer a chance for area residents to enjoy the company of one another and to share the camaraderie our region is known for. And, while we want everyone to find time to relax with friends and neighbors, we hope we all can remember that the true spirit of the season goes beyond celebrations, parties and parades, and is something that should stay with each of us all year long.