It's Christmas Time in Oxford

See the town tree light up. Watch a play. Take a trip to the city.

Those are three of the five things we've found for you to enjoy this weekend.

1. Tree lighting ceremony

The Oxford Parks and Recreation Commission will host the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Oxford Town Hall Friday night.

The Great Oak Middle School band and choir, along with the Center School choir, will perform Christmas carols. Refreshments will be served, a magician will perform tricks and prizes will be given to children. After the town tree is illuminated, Santa Claus will make his appearance.

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. If weather is questionable, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (203) 888-2543, ext. 3041, after 3 p.m. Friday, or check http://oxford-ct.patch.com for weather updates and announcements.

People can also check the Parks and Recreation Department's website, www.oxfordrec.com, for updates. The snow date is Dec. 10.

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation office or e-mail parkandrec@oxford-ct.gov.

2. Christmas Trip to New York

A bus to New York City will depart Oxford Town Hall at 9 a.m. on Saturday and will head to New York City for the day.

The first stop will be Carmine's Italian Restaurant for a family-style lunch consisting of Carmine's salad, baked clams, country-style rigatoni, penne a la vodka, eggplant parmesan, chicken with lemon and butter, dessert sampler and coffee or tea.

After lunch, participants will be dropped off near Times Square and will have the afternoon to do as they please: shop, see a show, go sight-seeing, etc.

The bus will pick people up at the end of the day and make one more stop at Zabar's, a wonderful food emporium that must be experienced to believe, Parks and Recreation Director Debbie Gatto said. Participants can purchase pastries, cheese, coffees, breads, deli sandwiches and more.

The bus will return to Oxford at approximately 9 p.m. The cost is $85 per person and includes transportation, lunch and driver gratuity.

For more information, or to register for the trip, call the Oxford Parks and Recreation Department at (203) 888-2543, ext. 3041 or e-mail: parkandrec@oxford-ct.gov.

People can also register online with a credit card at www.OxfordRec.com.

3. Romeo and Juliet at OHS

Oxford High School presents William Shakespeare's classic tale, "Romeo and Juliet." Come out and experience one of the most famous and tragic love stories, brought to life by the drama department of Oxford High School.

Performance dates are Friday and Saturday at 8pm; and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the door; the price could not be confirmed.

4. PTO Holiday Bazaar

The Oxford Schools Parent Teacher Organization will hold its 2010 Holiday Bazaar at Oxford Center School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Event will include a Poinsettia and foot switch pick up and sale; a wide variety of vendors, children's crafts and a special children's shopping area. All proceeds go to local families in need. All questions should be addressed to Lisa Suttile at 203-888-8229 or via email at lisasuttile@att.net.

5. Gingerbread Village

A Gingerbread Village with more than 60 buildings, horse and sleigh teams, ponds, boats and sledders will be displayed for public viewing at St. George's Episcopal Church, Tucker Hill Road, in Middlebury.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on Saturday.; from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday; from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. The event is free and open to the public.