(Please note: Dates of events are subject to change due to COVID-19 concerns and government orders. Please check before attending. This article has been updated from the print version).

The Emmaus Main Street Partners will host the annual Old Fashioned Christmas Dec. 5. Events take place on the Triangle, at the library and at various businesses.

The annual tree lighting event will take place at Triangle Park 6 p.m. Musical groups will perform 4 to 7 p.m.

South Fourth Street from Jubilee Street to Chestnut Street will be closed. The bridge will not be accessible during the three-hour tree-lighting event. A maximum of 500 attendees will be permitted, which includes, vendors, staff and other essential personnel.

There will be no pictures with Santa this year, but plans are for him to be present to say hello to the children via a microphone. Plans are to have reindeer on the site 4 to 7 p.m. For information, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us.

One of the features of the event is a Cheers Trail. Community members are invited to stop at local businesses noon to 5 p.m. for a sample of a mixed drink while they shop for holiday gifts.

The businesses will also hold a holiday door and window decorating contest. Be sure to walk downtown and view the doors and windows decorated with a general holiday theme. For information, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us.

The Shelter House, 601 S. Fourth S., will not host an Old Fashioned Christmas open house this year. It will, however, decorate the historic house so visitors may drive or walk in the parking lot and remember the warm and inviting day the society normally has for the citizens of Emmaus, especially the children. The society members are hopeful next year they will be able to welcome their members and friends for a truly Old Fashioned Christmas at the Shelter House.

This year because of COVID-19, the 1803 House Old Fashioned Christmas will be held outside at the 1803 House homestead 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5. There will be free ornament kits for the children to craft at home; the annual sale of natural homemade Douglas Fir wreaths and/or wreath kits to decorate at home; holiday items and 1803 House church baby sale. There will be a demonstration on how holiday wreaths were decorated back in 1803. And this year they are adding something new ... a drive by “Very Merrie Wine Pull.”

The Emmaus Historical Society has been closed for eight months and will remain closed through the end of the year. Adherence to COVID-19 guidelines will be in place when the museum opens.

Although many of the annual holiday celebrations at the museum will not be held, the society will host A Christmas Carol program by the Quarantettes outside on the museum’s front porch, 218 Main St., 6:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Social distancing and masks will be required.

The annual historical society elections, postponed since May due to the pandemic, will be postponed until 2021. The new officers appointed by the board of directors to fill vacancies until then are Linda Boehmer, vice president and Teri Sorg-McManamon, recording secretary. New directors appointed to vacancies due to expiring terms and changes are Patricia Mabus, Michael Flynn, Debra Hoffman and Gregory Owens.

The Emmaus Historical Society is currently looking for original photographs of World War I veterans from Emmaus. Memorabilia associated with any World War I servicemen will also be greatly appreciated. Also, consider donating any other Emmaus related memorabilia and vintage holiday decorations. To donate, please call 610-966-6591.

Visit https://www.emmaushistoricalsociety.org or on Facebook or Instagram for updated information.

Beginning Dec. 13, the Emmaus Farmers Winter Market will be held 10 a.m. to noon. The winter market is held the second and fourth Sundays. For information, visit www.EmmausMarket.com or INFO@emmausmarket.com.

As of Nov. 19, Emmaus Borough offices were closed to the public, except by appointment, due to concern over an increase in COVID-19 cases in the borough and county. As a result, Emmaus Borough Council will meet 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and 21 virtually via Zoom. Please check the borough website for the link at borough.emmaus.pa.us.

The borough is currently undertaking a comprehensive parks, recreation, open space and greenways trails plan study. The public is invited to give input.

The borough offices will be closed Dec. 25 for the holidays. The compost center is open until Dec. 18. Visit borough.emmaus.pa.us for the schedule.

The Friends of the 1803 House are soliciting funding and in-kind efforts to help with maintenance of the historic property. The property was surrounded by water during the Aug. 4 flood, which filled the basement and one inch into the first floor. Two of the Friends’ fundraisers had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consider contributing to help with the flood damage costs amounting to around $12,000. For donation information, visit www.1803house.org. Mail donations to Friends of the 1803 House, Inc., 55 S. Keystone Ave., P.O. Box 7, Emmaus, 18049.

The Emmaus Public Library is offering a class in virtual holiday cheer, 7 p.m. Dec. 7. Melissa Draving, of Here for You Concierge, will teach you in an online program how to make the holiday season a little bit brighter using technology. Other adult programs offered include Emmaus Creatives Connection, a class on changing careers, a memoir writing group and a coloring club.

Youngsters are invited to pick up kits at the front desk beginning Dec. 1 to create note cards, puppets and coloring pages and instructions on how to make yarn dolls. Youngsters are also invited to help decorate the children’s wing 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Holiday crafting will be offered anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 5 to make two holiday surprises. One to take home and one to hang on the Christmas tree in town. For other program listings, visit emmauspl@cliu.org or call 610-965-9284.

The library will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, 2021.

The deadline for the January column is Dec. 15. Please send information to 913 Little Lehigh Dr., Emmaus, 18049, call 610-967-2661 or visit durdock@aol.com.

Best wishes for happy and safe holidays.