The holiday spirit comes to Pawtuxet Village this weekend as the village association has planned a series of events including carriage rides, caroling, a visit from Santa, church services and arts and crafts.

The festivities begin at noon on Saturday, and continue until Sunday evening.

According to Marta Martinez, coordinator of the event for the past four years, “It started as a local community event, but in recent years more people from around the state have attended.” Martinez said that attendance varies but this year she expects about 500 people.

On Saturday, horse-and-buggy rides will be offered, as well as visits with Santa and arts and crafts for children. The Village Yule Log will be lit at the Pawtuxet Armory. The Yule Log will stay lit throughout the day, and families will be invited to come to it to make wishes for the New Year

A new addition to the celebration is a Holiday Living performance, featuring students from Wyman Elementary School dressed in colonial attire. In addition to the performance, the students will share stories about Christmas in colonial Pawtuxet Village to people on carriage rides. Martinez says she hopes the performance becomes a regular addition to the event.

Boy Scouts, Gaspee Troop 4, will sell Christmas wreaths in the parking lot behind Libations, 2200 Broad Street, the same location the carriage rides begin.

On Sunday, a special service will be offered at Trinity Episcopal Church on Ocean Avenue. Then, in the afternoon, the weekend’s festivities will be brought to a close with the ceremonial tree and menorah lighting in Pawtuxet Park. After the ceremony, everyone will be invited to the Pawtuxet Armory for hot cider, cookies and a sing-along with the Village Victorian Carolers.