AUBURN — As the calendar turns to November, it’s inevitable that we say goodbye to pumpkins and ghost stories and begin hearing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” on the radio airwaves.

Auburn, it seems, is more than ready for the shift to the holiday season, with officials on Friday announcing a slate of holiday events, including the return of a Christmas parade on Dec. 8.

Lewiston too will host its holiday festivities the same weekend on Dec. 7.

According to a news release, Auburn hasn’t held a traditional Christmas parade for several years and staff is excited to bring it back. The annual tree lighting ceremony will also occur as part of the event, and the city is asking for a donated tree, parade participants and vendors for its Christmas Shopping Village in Anniversary Park.

“The Christmas parade was always a big hit with local families,” said Liz Allen, the city’s director of communications and community engagement. “We took a few years off, but we’re looking forward to kicking off the holiday season in style.”

Allen said the city needs “quite a few” participants for the parade to be successful and worthwhile, and she encouraged local businesses and organizations to apply.

The Christmas parade and tree lighting event will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Allen said the city will host an expanded version of its annual Christmas Shopping Village from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day of the parade. Local artisans and makers are invited to apply to sell their goods in the park, with participation free.

“In addition to parade entries, the city is still seeking a Christmas tree for Festival Plaza,” Allen said. “This is the pine tree state. Someone in Auburn must have a big, beautiful tree they would like to donate. It would be the ultimate holiday gift to our community.”

To nominate a tree, apply for the Christmas Shopping Village or join the parade, go to auburnmaine.gov.

In Lewiston, city staff said its Holiday at the Plaza event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Dufresne Plaza.

Lisbon Street from Ash to Main streets will be closed for the festivities, which include a tree and Menorah lighting, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, an ice rink, horse and wagon rides, food trucks, makers market and more.