Looking for a small-town holiday night out north of Seattle? Marysville’s Merrysville for the Holidays is one of the most fun evenings of the season in Snohomish County, and this year it lands on Saturday, December 5.

Here is what is on the schedule, plus tips for turning it into a relaxed holiday weekend.

The Merrysville schedule for Saturday, Dec. 5

According to the City of Marysville, the main festivities are at Comeford Park, 501 Delta Ave.

• 4 to 8 PM: Holiday market, food trucks and live reindeer
• 4 to 5:30 PM: Free photos with Santa
• 4:30 to 6 PM: Holiday music by The Fabulous Orchids
• 6:30 PM: Electric Lights Parade
• 7:15 PM: Tree lighting with Mayor Jon Nehring, right after the parade

The parade starts at the Marysville Community Center (1015 State Ave.), heads south on State Avenue to 6th Street, then turns west toward Comeford Park. Grab a spot along State Ave. early, bring a warm hat, and plan for typical Pacific Northwest December weather. Check the City of Marysville website before you go in case anything changes.

Tips for a happy holiday night

• Go early for Santa. Free photos run from 4 to 5:30 PM only.
• Eat at the park. Food trucks make dinner easy, especially with kids.
• Dress in layers. You will be outside for a few hours after dark.
• Skip the late drive home. Staying in Marysville means no I-5 traffic back to Seattle after the tree lighting.

Make it a weekend

Early December is a great time to get some holiday shopping done. Seattle Premium Outlets and Quil Ceda Village are close by, and Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino are nearby if the grown-ups want an evening out. Lake Stevens and Arlington are each an easy drive for a Sunday wander.

Where to stay: Creekside Suite in Marysville

After a cold night at the parade, the Creekside Suite is a cozy place to warm up. It is a boho ground-floor guest suite with its own private entrance, about 1.5 miles from I-5 and within walking distance of shopping, gas and dining.

• Sleeps up to 6: a queen bedroom plus a sofa bed and an air mattress
• Electric fireplace and a 75-inch TV with Roku for holiday movie night
• Full kitchen and Keurig for hot cocoa and an easy breakfast
• Creekside patio, fenced yard, fire pit and hammock
• Parking for 4 cars, washer and dryer, desk and fast 383 Mbps Wi-Fi

Good to know: our host family lives upstairs, there are stairs down to the suite, pets are not allowed, and quiet hours are 10 PM to 7 AM.

Questions? Call or text 360-913-5965. Holiday weekends book up, so grab your dates soon.