Although so far, most signs of the upcoming Christmas holiday are the displays of merchandise confronting shoppers in almost every store around town, other clues of the impending celebration are on the horizon.

For example, a drive down Jones in the evening reveals lights on several buildings and the gazebo at the Circle of Care United Methodist Children’s Home, a portent of the lights that soon will sparkle from Northeastern State University at Tahlequah’s north end, to the Cherokee Nation on the south.

After partaking their fill of turkey and football, many local residents will venture outdoors this weekend, weather permitting, to deck their homes in a like manner.

A centerpiece of any Christmas season is the annual holiday parade, and this year’s event, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, will feature plenty of lights, cameras and actions, with its theme, “A Christmas in Cinema.”

Of course, the parade will have its share of bands, community groups, royalty, classic cars and horses.

Float entries may choose to build their themes around such beloved holiday films as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “White Christmas,” or “A Christmas Story,” or a variety of other classics. The Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce has information on entering the parade.

That weekend will be the busiest of the holiday season, with the parade kicking off the events.

Northeastern State University will draw people in for entertainment and an extravaganza. The Sequoyah Institute will present Cantus, one of America’s most renowned all-male vocal ensembles, along with Theater Latte Da, in “All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.” The performance of traditional Christmas music reflects the true story of troops along the battle line in 1914, when they halted their hostilities for the holiday.

The performance will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Tahlequah High School Performing Arts Center. For ticket information, call the Sequoyah Institute, 456-5511, ext. 4500.

NSU also will host one of the final events of its Centennial year, the Emerald Ball, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the University Center Ballroom. This year’s ball will have a centennial theme. Tickets are $75.

Whether you like to see a historic house or the latest in home fashion, all decorated for the holiday, Dec. 13 will be your chance to do so. The historic Murrell Home at Park Hill will hold its ninth annual Christmas Open House from 1 to 5 p.m., while the home also will be the site for the reception at the annual American Association of University Women home tour, from 1:30 to 5 p.m., with six homes besides the Murrell Home being featured.

The theme of the festivities at the 1845 mansion, which will be decorated in Christmas styles of the 1800s, is everybody’s favorite, “Father Christmas Through the Years.” Many children may not recognize Santa without his red suit or in his former incarnations, but they’ll get the chance to meet a variety of Father Christmases at the Murrell Home.

“It’s going to be really busy around the Murrell Home,” said Amanda Pritchett, historical interpreter. “We’ll have 13 people in costume as Father Christmas — and there may be a couple more. They’ll be all over the house.”

As people meet the various Father Christmases, who hail from traditions from Russia, Turkey, Holland, Ireland, France and the United States, they also can listen to traditional holiday music.