MANSON — A parade, ugly sweaters and of course, Santa Claus, will all be part of this weekend’s Countdown to Christmas in Manson.

The festivities actually start today with a Christmas story hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Manson Public Library.

Small Business Night is set for Friday. Hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participating businesses are Fringe Salon, Lucky 7 Coffee Shop, Shoreside Pub & Grub, Swanson Hardware and Thoma Flooring. There will be vendors at each location.

The action gets started on Saturday with a 2 p.m. Christmas tour of homes. Tickets will be available at Swanson Hardware and Fringe Salon.

The lighted Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. The parade will proceed down Main Street from 15th Avenue to the firehouse.

Following the parade, Santa will be available for photos at the VFW post.

Holiday hideousness will be on display during an ugly sweater party beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Shoreside Pub and Grub. The Schoon Brothers will be performing live music.

At 9 a.m. Sunday, there will be breakfast with Santa at the MACC center.

The Manson Northwest Webster High School Jazz Band will perform at 1 p.m. in the school commons.

At 2 p.m. the movie “Elf” will be shown in the Kate Toben Auditorium in the high school.