Most towns celebrate the winter holidays with an official tree lighting ceremony, but few communities embrace the event as much as Guilford, which offers a full weekend of events centered around the Friday, Dec. 2 Tree Lighting on the Green.

The Holiday Tree Lighting is at 6 p.m. on the Town Green, but festivities start sooner than that. St. George’s Parish Hall at 33 Whitfield Street hosts the Guilford Garden Club Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2. The event features wreaths, swags, boxwood trees, baked goods, raffle baskets, and the group’s own cookbook, What’s Cookin’. For information, email guilfordgclub@gmail.com.

The Henry Whitfield State Museum at 248 Old Whitfield Street holds its Firelight Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, featuring Luminarias, outdoor fires, popcorn, marshmallows, s’mores, hot cider, hot chocolate, and tours of Connecticut’s oldest house after dark. The event also features the Holidaze exhibit, natural holiday ornaments and crafts, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas. For information, contact whitfieldmuseum@ct.gov or 203-453-2457.

Just before the tree lighting, St. George’s Church opens its doors for the North Guilford Congregational Church Handbell Choir Handbell Concert at 5:30 p.m. For information, call 203-453-8359.

At the tree lighting, revelers will gather to sing carols and maybe even spot Santa as the town gets ready to flip the switch.

Once the tree is lit, visitors can take a Candlelight Walk on Broad Street from 6 to 9 p.m., courtesy of the Guilford Garden Club. For info, contact guilfordgclub@gmail.com. At 7 p.m., the Christian Science Church on the Greeen hosts The United Girls’ Choir Concert; free-will offerings benefit Meals on Wheels. For information, call 203-453-8359.

Also on Friday, at the Christ Episcopal Church, 11 Park Street (next to the town hall), there will be an annual chili supper, along with a cookie and wreath sale, from 5 to 7 p.m. And there will be a benefit concert to benefit Guilford Interfaith Volunteers Meals on Wheels on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. featuring zFOURzando, an eight handed piano playing featuring holiday music.

The weekend of events continues Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4. The St. George’s Christmas Fair runs Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call 203-453-2788 x 209.

Starship Dance Theater presents its 25th annual production of The Magic Toyshop at Guilford High School, 605 New England Road. Dec. 3 performances are at 4 and 7 p.m.; the Dec. 4 performance is at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.tututix.com.

On Dec. 4, the North Guilford Congregational Church holds the North Guilford Advent Celebration at 5 p.m. at 159 Ledge Hill Road. The evening features a roast pork dinner (reservations recommended) followed by a celebratory concert performed by the combined choirs of North Guilford Congregational Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church. For information, call 203-457-0581 or email office@northguilforducc.org.

The Dec. 2 Tree Lighting is sponsored by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and the Guilford Economic Development Commission.