Warrensburg Main Street is hosting Dickens Christmas: Living Windows on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in downtown Warrensburg.

Father Christmas is scheduled to arrive by train to the downtown depot at 9:34 a.m. Father Christmas will be available for pictures before he walks up Holden Street to kick off the Dickens Christmas event. Several members of the Center Stage Academy of the Performing Arts “Nutcracker” cast will also be at the depot for pictures.

Downtown business will host a variety of artists displaying their talents in the shop windows. The daylong event will feature horse and wagon rides, musicians, carolers, reading of “A Christmas Carol,” a live nativity provided by Grover Park Baptist Church, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. A tree lighting ceremony scheduled for 4:30 p.m. will feature decorations from children at the Early Childhood Opportunity Center at the Johnson County Courthouse.

Some of the highlights of the day will include a kids craft area provided by Heartland Home Educators, snow globe making with the students from UCM, a musical interpretation of the Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol,” a performance by harpist Ruth Acuff and strolling caroling with the Sweet Adelines. Festival attendees are also encouraged to visit President Chuck Ambrose’s Christmas Open House at the Achauer House at 314 S. Holden St., along with the Little Gift Shop inside the Warrensburg Tourist Commission office at 200 S. Holden St.

Another highlight of Dickens Christmas will be the start of the Winter Farmers’ Market. The market is located inside the Warrensburg City Council Chambers at 200 S. Holden St. There will be 10 vendors with products that range from fresh produce, meat, baked goodies, handmade crafts and more.

During Dickens Christmas, the market will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The regular market schedule will be 9 a.m. to noon starting Saturday, Dec. 16. The market is open the first and third Saturday of every month until April.

Dickens Christmas also features Tiny Tim’s Soup Competition, sponsored by UCM Event Class and takes place at a variety of participating businesses. The soup competition will feature 14 homemade soups. To participate by tasting and scoring each soup, you can pick up a score card for $5 from any of the participating business. Participants who turn in score cards will be entered to win a UCM basket of items.

For more information, contact Warrensburg Main Street at 429-3988 or visit www.warrensburgmainstreet.com.