BATH — “An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Bath,” hosted by Main Street Bath, includes a large variety of events through New Year’s Eve to encourage people to celebrate and shop downtown.

Jennifer Geiger, director of Main Street Bath, said Monday that the old-fashioned element is a warm and cheerful hometown feel.

“Keeping it not hectic, not generic, but fun,” she said. “… We try to do a stress-free Christmas.”

People can sing Christmas carols aboard a trolley the next two Fridays, Dec. 10 and 17. The activity will run from 6-8 p.m., and carolers will be picked up at City Hall every half hour. Admission is free.

Downtown businesses, banks and restaurants will stay open late during an open house Friday, Dec. 17, that will run from 5-8 p.m. Gifts, holiday music and refreshments will be available to shoppers while a downtown Christmas decorating contest takes place.

Throughout the month children and adults can bring new and unwrapped gifts or toys to “Santa bags” located in the lobbies of the Patten Free Library, Bath City Hall and the Bath Area Family YMCA. The donations will be distributed Monday, Dec. 20, at the Bath Soup Kitchen’s holiday party at First Baptist Church of Bath.

Children and adults who want to write to Santa or to area seniors can drop those letters in red boxes throughout downtown.

The holiday events will culminate New Year’s Eve with the ninth annual Paul Revere bell ringing ceremony at noon. Party hats and noisemakers are encouraged, and singing and a brief ceremony will precede the ringing of the historic bell. Refreshments will be served in the City Hall auditorium.

Log onto visitbath.com or call 442-7291 for more information and a full list of holiday activities.

Alex Lear can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net.