By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–After taking a few months off, the Helena First Friday event will return Dec. 2 just in time for the holidays and will feature plenty of fun and entertainment for all in attendance.

The December First Friday event will be all about the Christmas season as the night will provide plenty of opportunities for those in attendance to cross off some holiday shopping items from their lists and enjoy a night of fun.

Helena First Friday is presented by the Helena Old Town Merchants, whose goal is to continuously grow the event more and more each month, and the last First Friday event of 2016 will feature plenty of vendors.

December First Friday will take place in Old Town Helena from 5-9:30 p.m., and will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa’s elves, the Helena Fire Explorers, the Helena High School Jazz Band performing Christmas tunes, the Helena Belles and the HHS Choral Department. Denny the DJ and JQ’s One Man Big Band will also both be performing at the gazebo. There will also be a live nativity scene presented by Gospel Light Church of Helena.

In addition to the live entertainment and guests, several retail vendors and food trucks will line the streets of Old Town Helena selling merchandise as regular business storefronts will also stay open later for the event.

Some of the vendors that will be at the December First Friday event include LuLaRoe, Knots of Love, Dixieland, Bee Creek Farm, Fetch, Bama Woodworks, JnS Treasured Creations, Work of Heart, Heavenly Donut Co., Deep Roots Art, Swanky Blanks, Southern Fried Creative, Merrit House, Katelyn’s Kloset, Organice, Child Like Faith, The Peanut Standard, Frios, Helena Pepper Co., Inspired by Jewelry, Forgotten Alabama, Nita Risher McGlawn, Jam’s Garage, The Crusty Streusel, Wallflower Girl Designs, The Birminghammer!, Studio V, Chick-Fil-A of McCalla food truck and more.

For more information or to receive vendor information for upcoming First Friday events, visit Facebook.com/HelenaFirstFriday.