It's going to be a busy holiday time in downtown Albany with a variety of events scheduled up until Christmas Eve.

To start, merchants are hosting a holiday open house the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. Stores and businesses will be open until 8 p.m., and many store owners will provide cookies and hot chocolate and cider. Carolers will stroll through downtown and Santa will be on hand, too.

Santa will also wander through downtown, and many stores will have extended hours on the coming weekends for holiday shopping.

Beginning next week, holiday snowflakes will be placed around the downtown area, said Rick Rogers, executive director of the Albany Downtown Association. For the first time, the lighted snowflakes will be put up on First Avenue.

Here is the holiday event schedule:

Nov. 28

Until 8 p.m. - Holiday open house, with stores featuring cookies, hot chocolate and cider, and Santa and carolers strolling around downtown.

Nov. 29

* Until 8 p.m. - The holiday open house will continue.

* 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Magicians from throughout western Oregon will entertain children and adults at spots around downtown during the annual children's magic show.

* 3 p.m. - The Twice Around Downtown Parade starts at First Avenue and Montgomery Street. Anyone wishing to participate can call the Albany Downtown Association at (541) 928-2469 to enter. The only stipulation is no one can be a Santa.

* 5 p.m. - The community tree lighting at the corner of Second Avenue and Ferry Street. There will be a candlelight vigil, singing of carols and the West Albany High School Choir will perform.

* 7 p.m. - Winter fashions from the new store Anabella's will be showcased at the Venetian Theatre. There is no charge, and seating is limited. Rogers will narrate the show.

Dec. 6

* 1 p.m. - A free holiday concert at the Venetian Theatre featuring the West Albany High School Choir and the Carillon of Praise Bell Choir. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food for Linn Benton Food Share.

Dec. 13

* 2 p.m. - The film "Holiday Inn" will be shown at the Pix Theatre, 321 Second Ave. S.W. The movie features Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Admission is free and seating is limited. People are asked to bring canned food for the food share.

Dec. 14

* 2 to 7 p.m. - The 29th annual Christmas Parlour Tour. Tickets will be available the day of the event at the Albany Visitor's Association office at Two Rivers Market.