The Thanksgiving turkey has been consumed and Black Friday is behind us. It is officially Christmas season.

North Jefferson municipalities have a multitude of events planned, starting with Gardendale’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday.

Children’s choirs from local churches will sing Christmas carols starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Gardendale Civic Center.

Then Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips will count down to the lighting of the official city Christmas tree.

On Dec. 5, the city of Fultondale hosts its Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

This year’s event includes the planting of a new tree; the former city Christmas tree was badly damaged by the April 27 tornado and could not be saved. That tree had been planted by the Fultondale High School senior class when the students were in kindergarten.

City officials are encouraging students to make ornaments for the city tree.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments and Christmas music provided by the Fultondale High School band. The tree will be lit at 7 p.m.

For those who want to hear more holiday music, the Birmingham Community Concert Band is hosting a free concert on Dec. 4, 3 p.m., at the Gardendale Civic Center Exhibition Hall. The city of Gardendale and the Gardendale Arts Council are sponsoring the event.

There is also no lack of Christmas parades in upcoming weeks. In order of date, parades include:

Gardendale

The area’s largest parade is Thursday at 6 p.m. This year is Gardendale’s 25th annual Christmas parade.

The route goes from the former Shoney’s parking lot at Mt. Olive Road and Fieldstown Road, east on Fieldstown Road, north on Grubbs Avenue, through the Village Green Shopping Center, and south on Main Street to the Gardendale First Baptist Church south campus.

There will also be a Candy Cane Lane near Auto Zone, where businesses will provide refreshments.

Organizers say the parade draws a crowd of 15,000 people.

This year’s theme is “A Super Hero Christmas.” Floats will be judged for first, second and third place prizes in relation to the theme.

There will also be a Crowd Favorite trophy given, and for the first time, there will be a trophy given for Best Overall Float.

A fireworks show sponsored by Jeff Dennis Jewelers will kick off the parade at 6 p.m.

Parade participants must pass candy out; not toss it to the crowd.

For more information, call the Greater Gardendale Chamber of Commerce at 631-9195.

Morris

Morris’ annual Christmas parade is Dec. 3 at 10 a.m., with the theme, “A Christmas Salute to Hometown Heroes.”

The parade starts at the former Mortimer Jordan High School campus. Line-up is at 9:30 a.m.

There is a $10 entry fee to be in the parade. No Santa Clauses are allowed on any floats, because Santa will be on a fire truck at the end of the parade.

Candy may be thrown to the crowd, at visitors’ feet and as close to the sides of the street as possible.

Following the parade is a Christmas festival in the city park across from Morris City Hall.

There is a change this year for the festival. Town clerk Jessica Robb said the state has contacted the city and will now require that vendors pay the 4-percent state sales tax on any items they sell during the festival. Robb said the city and county will not collect sales tax.

She said there are usually at least 10 vendors selling their goods at the festival.

The fee to have a booth at the festival is either $10 or a new, unwrapped toy for the city’s Families Helping Families Christmas charity program.

Robb said the city is suspending the charity program for this year; all proceeds from the parade and festival will be used for next year.

For more information, call Morris City Hall at 647-0596.

Kimberly

Later the same day, on Dec. 3, neighboring Kimberly will host its annual Christmas parade at 6 p.m.

The parade lines up at Bryan Elementary School at 5 p.m. There is no fee to enter the parade.

It ends at Kimberly United Methodist Church on U.S. Hwy. 31, where there will be a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The city will provide refreshments.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to take children’s gift requests. Parents may take photographs of their children with Santa.

The rain date is Dec. 10.

For more information, call Kimberly City Hall at 647-5551.

Trafford

The Trafford Christmas parade kicks off on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.

Entry into the parade is free; those who wish to have a float in the parade are asked to be at the Kimberly Ball Park by 12:30 p.m. for line-up.

Participants may throw candy to the crowd.

For more information, call Pam Samuels at 647-0778.

Warrior

The city of Warrior is reviving an old tradition of hosting a Christmas parade; the city has not had a parade in recent memory.

It will be Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. and will go down Main Street.

There is no entry fee for the parade, but registration forms must be turned in at Warrior City Hall by Dec. 9.

For more information, call Ann Crane at 647-0520.