At last year's Country Christmas celebration in Oxford, one of the highlights was when the large crowd gathered around for the lighting of the town's Christmas tree and everyone joined in to sing “Silent Night.” It was a quiet moment filled with tradition and Christmas cheer in the midst of a busy evening of family-friendly activities.

This year, the Country Christmas celebration takes place on Friday, Dec. 7, and the evening will again be filled with holiday festivities that will be sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Country Christmas is always one of Oxford's biggest and best events, and organizers with Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI) have spent months planning the event.

Mary Lou Baily, the Main Street Manager for OMI, said that there will be something for everyone at the event.

After his arrival, Santa will be posing for pictures with children at KVIS & Coe Insurance on Third Street. Children can share their Christmas wishes with Santa while parents can take photos of their children.

There will be plenty of Christmas music throughout the town. The Christian Life Center will be performing on their mobile stage. Baily said that the Lincoln University Choir will also be performing during the evening.

Horse-drawn carriage rides, always a favorite during Country Christmas, will be offered for $5. There will also be free hayrides, thanks to the sponsorship of the Soap Bucket. Those who go on the hayrides will have a good view of the entries in this year's home-decorating contest, and can even vote for their favorites. The winners of the home-decorating contest will receive a gift basket that includes gift cards to downtown Oxford shops.

There will also be a Santa’s Workshop, indoor this year, where children can make crafts.

Performers from the Oxford Center of Dance will be featured.

A live nativity will once again be staged by the Oxford Presbyterian Church.

The shops and restaurants in downtown, all festively decorated, will be open late.

“We also have a lot more vendors signed up this year,” Baily said.

Regular attendees of Oxford Country Christmas will have a favorite activity or attraction during the event. Baily said that she really likes the tree-lighting celebration and the sing-along afterward.

“It really brings the whole community together,” she said.

Oxford Country Christmas takes place in downtown Oxford from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 7.