This week the mood will shift from the spectacular spookiness of Halloween to the cozy thoughts of winter holidays.

As November arrives and December quickly approaches, there are a plethora of ways to get into the holiday spirit.

Already this weekend, local businesses will be offering holiday open houses with discounts and specials on many items to usher in the Christmas season.

The Craft Nook will celebrate its 25th annual Country Christmas Open House from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Next week, Nov. 8 to Nov. 11, will be the annual Downtown Winchester Holiday Hop. Local stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 with various specials and just about anything you could find on a holiday shopping list. Get a head start on your Christmas list while shopping local.

If you’re not ready to skip straight to Christmas, don’t forget the annual Turkey Trot, scheduled for 9 :30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Lykins Park. The annual 5K run/walk raises money for Clark County Community Services, which operates a local food bank and distributes food boxes for the holidays. Register for the races at racesonline.com.

Beech Springs Farm Market will open Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Mingle and Jingle, where there will be music, gift baskets, desserts to sample and deals on products.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the phone lines open for Operation Happiness registration. All participants wishing to receive food boxes and winter gear must pre-register by calling 859-737-3636 or at Clark County Community Service, 30 Taylor Ave. Participants must be Clark County residents. Children must be enrolled or registered with Clark County Public School. The Day of Giving, Dec. 19, will include food, hats, coats, a hot meal and a visit from Santa. The annual charity program is always in need of volunteers, consider manning the phones, separating donations or more to help with the cause.

After getting in all those Black Friday deals, celebrate Small Business Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 24. Shop downtown Winchester on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for deals without the crowds and hustle.

Also beginning Nov. 24, learn a little about how Christmas was celebrated on the Kentucky frontier at Winter Trade Days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 24-25 at Fort Boonesborough State Park. 18th Century merchant and traders in period clothing will set up shops in cabins and blockhouses at the fort. All items for sale at typical of items available in the 18th Century.

Fort Boonesborough will also host 18th Century Christmas from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. Visit the fort to hear about old-world customs handed down to settlers and other early frontier traditions and goods. Sponsored by the Fort Boonesborough Foundation. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 6 and younger are free.

The annual Winchester Chorale Christmas concert, this year titled “Voices and Hearts As One,” is set for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2.

The annual downtown Winchester Christmas parade will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 on Main Street. The parade theme this year is “Santa’s Workshop,” and there is still time to register a float at downtownwinchester.org.

These are just a few of the many events happening locally to get residents in the holiday spirit. Be sure to check out our community calendar for more listings of local events. If you have a local event to advertise, contact us at news@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0049.

There is no shortage of fun in Winchester and Clark County this holiday season.

We look forward to seeing you, our readers and our neighbors, at these wonderful local events.