CAMBRIDGE — Thanksgiving is past and the Christmas season is officially underway. The county’s calendar has plenty on it to keep families and friends busy celebrating — and just about everything is free.

• The 71st Annual Cambridge-Dorchester Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. The floats and marchers will proceed from Long Wharf, down High and Race streets through the center of town.

• This weekend, the Winter Wonderland Music and Tree Festival and Winter Wonderland Holiday Dance (Adults 21+) will be held at the Cambridge Elks Lodge 1272, located at 5464 Elks Lodge Road, just east of Cambridge on Rt. 50. Come out and help raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Eastern Shore and local children.

• The annual Community Christmas Diner hosted by the Taylors Island Volunteer Fire Company is set to take place on Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. There is no charge. Please bring a covered dish if possible. Come on out and break bread with your friends and neighbors. It is always a fun time and Santa doesn’t miss it. Also, the fire hall renovations are expected to be completed just in time.

• The Town of Hurlock will once again be hosting its annual Home and Business Christmas Decorating Contest. Judging will be held on Dec. 20 beginning at 6 p.m. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be given away. No entry form is required for Hurlock residents is required, they simply need to turn their lights on and let the judges do the rest.

• Santa’s helpers have placed a mailbox at the train station. If any child would like to drop off their Christmas Wish List for Santa, just come on by and drop it in the mail slot. Make sure you write your address on the list. Folks in Hurlock are told that Santa will answer all letters that are dropped off.

• To make planning your holiday fun easier, elves at the Dorchester Tourism Department have put together the 2019 Dorchester Holiday Events Guide. Check events and sign up for the agency’s free newsletter at VisitDorchester.org.