Benicia’s downtown shopping area is gearing up for the city’s annual events that mark the holiday season, starting with the Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting later this week.

Another tradition is the Teddy Bear Tea Party, a collaboration of Benicia Main Street and the Camellia Tea Room, 828 First St. This year, residents can bring their teddy bears to the tea room for tea today and Dec. 7. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Camellia Tea Room, 707-746-5293.

The area’s Holiday Shopping Spree, which started Nov. 1, will wrap up Thursday as a prelude to a drawing for a Downtown Benicia Shopping Spree valued at $500 in Downtown Dollars.

For each $10 spent at participating merchants through Thursday, shoppers get a ticket for the drawing. The drawing will be taking place during the Holiday Open House, which starts at 6 p.m. Friday.

Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to come to First Street and neighboring blocks for the Holiday Open House. Merchants will keep their doors open until 9 p.m., and will offer shoppers seasonal refreshments.

At about 6:30 p.m. at the foot of First Street, Kris Kringle and the Mistletones will stop by in time to participate in the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Open-air horse-drawn carriage rides will be available at $3 for adults and $1 for children younger than 12.

This year, Benicia Main Street, 90 First St., and the 800 block of First Street will have wine stations, and beer will be available for purchase at Main Street, too.

Entertaining throughout the open house will be holiday carolers dressed in period costume and other musicians.

In other holiday happenings:

Santa Claus will be visiting Southampton Shopping Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, when children will be able to visit with the Jolly Old Elf. He’ll also make return visits Dec. 13 and Dec. 20.

Residents and visitors can watch “The Nutcracker” by the Benicia Ballet Theatre, accompanied by a full orchestra, at Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield.

Performances are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. The final matinee is at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets, from $15 to $22, are available through beniciaballet-nutcracker2014.brownpapertickets .com or by calling the ballet company, 707-746-6757.

Benicia Chamber of Commerce members, guests and visitors will have their Holiday Business After Hours at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Westamerica Bank, 20 Solano Square.

It’s a chance for business operators and employees to network while having hors d’oeuvres and winning door prizes. Admission is free to Chamber members, their employees and guests.

Admission for nonmembers is $15.

The Diablo Regional Concert Band will perform its annual winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St.

Benicia’s Christmas Parade and Holiday Market continue the holiday festivities Dec. 13 starting at 10 a.m. that day.

The parade starts at First and D streets and proceeds up First Street to H Street.

Viewers lining the street will hear marching bands and see dancers among the other parade entries. Santa Claus also will make an appearance in the parade.

Meanwhile, the Holiday Market, on First Street between B and D streets, will give shoppers a chance to buy handcrafted and gourmet gifts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13.

In addition, the Benicia Marina will be the place to see the annual holiday lighted boat parade, starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 13. Assisting the event is Barbra Brooks, a member of the Benicia Yacht Club.

The parade will start at the Marina turn basin, from which the boats will sail to Buoy 23, near First Street, before returning to the marina.

Prizes will be awarded for overall decorations, lighted powerboat and lighted sailboat and participation.

Those being judged will need to circle the basin twice slowly and pass in front of the fuel docks before entering the Carquinez Strait.

All boaters are welcome to participate, and there is no entrance fee. Participants do not need to be members of the Benicia Yacht Club or be a tenant at the Benicia Marina.

Those interested may sign up at the harbormaster’s office at the marina. Those with questions may call Brooks at 707-334-4083.

VOENA, Benicia’s widely recognized vocal group, will present “Voices of the Season: Wintersong” Dec. 13 at the Benicia Historical Museum’s Stone Hall, 2060 Camel Road.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and the children’s choir will begin singing at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and are being sold at the museum, at Bookshop Benicia, 636 First St., at ABC Music, 739 First St., and online at www.beniciahistoricalmuseum.org.