Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - The holiday season has officially begun.

Three cities in north Gwinnett are holding holiday festivals Saturday, each offering entertainment and fun for the whole family.

Buford's festival will be the first to begin at 11 a.m. on Main Street in historic Buford. A parade featuring local bands, floats, antique and show cars, boats and an airplane will begin at 2:30 p.m., and the annual tree lighting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

"We will be assisting the Toys for Tots campaign and offering prize drawings for those that bring toys or donate money," Buford Business Alliance President Tim Koenning wrote in a news release.

At 5 p.m., Sugar Hill and Suwanee will kick off celebrations. Sugar Hill's annual festival features music, a tree lighting and an opportunity to have pictures taken with Santa Claus. The celebration begins on the Town Green and will move to the Community Center on Church Street, according to the city's Web site.

Santa will also make a trip to Suwanee during the annual Old Town Holiday Festival and Caboose Lighting. The festival will take place in the historic Old Town commercial district on Main Street.

The event features performances by elementary school choruses, holiday crafts and a reindeer and sleigh along with carriage rides. Photos with Santa will be free, but families must take their own pictures.

SideBar: If you go

What: Buford's Holiday Festival and Parade

When: Activities start at

11 a.m. Saturday. A parade is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., and the annual tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Main Street in historic Buford

For more information: Visit www.visitbuford.com.

What: Sugar Hill Holiday Celebration

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where : Sugar Hill's Town Green and the Community Center on Church Street

For more information: Call the Recreation Department at 770-831-7413.

What: Suwanee's Old Town Holiday Festival and Caboose Lighting

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Suwanee's historic Old Town commercial district on Main Street

For more information: Visit www.suwanee.com.