Main Street Beaufort, USA, proudly presents the <b>29th Annual A Night on the Town</b>. This opening of the holiday shopping season takes place on Friday evening, Dec. 5, 2014, beginning at 6 p.m., and ending at approximately 9 p.m. A long standing tradition in the community, A Night on the Town is a mix of traditional and the contemporary.

An evening with a surprise around every corner and a number of things that will entertain, delight and get you in the holiday spirit. Shops will stay open late to welcome regular and new customers with special treats and a preview of their large and unique selection of items for the holidays to help get a head start of the holiday season.

The evening also includes the City of Beaufort’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, entertainment by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, choral performances and a rumored visit from Santa.

New to this year’s event is a Living Window Display contest. Vote for your favorite businesses’ living window display at the event.

Take your pick of holiday parades by land or sea in Beaufort. Join Main Street Beaufort, USA, and the Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. for the <b>Light Up the Night boat parade</b> on the Beaufort River. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park provides the best view of the parade. The first boats will start arriving at the seawall at the park by 5:30 p.m. Boats will make passes by the seawall. Hot chocolate will be available courtesy of The Greenery.

The traditional <b>Beaufort Christmas Parade</b> will be Dec. 7, at 3 p.m., through the streets of downtown Beaufort. Floats, bands, groups of walkers and personal cars and trucks are expected to participate. Deadline for entries is Nov. 21. Participation fees vary from free for military and government groups, $10 for non-profit organizations and $20 for others.

Application forms for Light Up The Night Boat parade and Beaufort Christmas Parade are available at www.downtownbeaufort.com/anightonthetown. For more information, contact Main Street Beaufort, USA at 843-525-6644 or email info@downtownbeaufort.com.

Holiday Weekend is hosted by Main Street Beaufort, USA, and presented by Subaru of Hilton Head, Hargray, I Heart Media, SCE&amp;G, Regions Bank, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Best Western Sea Island Inn, SCE&amp;G, Gilbert Law Firm, The Beaufort Inn, and photographed by Captured Moments Photography.