Hackettstown business owners will have a chance to compete for the best holiday lighting just as homeowners do with the Light up Hackettstown contest sponsored by the Business Improvement District.

There is also a themed tree or wreath contest.

Decoration must be complete by Friday, Dec. 3. Judging will be Friday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Hometown Holiday celebration will be Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 9 p.m., including a traditional tree lighting and holiday parade with Santa.

The full schedule includes:

At 5 p.m., there will be music and treats at the Seay Building at Centenary University. The grand illumination starts at 5:15. The Cyctones a Cappella Choir performs in the gazebo at 5:30 p.m.

The Hackettstown Historical Society open house runs from 5 to 8 p.m. with refreshments at their building at 106 Church Street.

Carriage rides begin at the firehouse from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Holiday Bazaar Food and Shopping Tent is open from 6 to 9 p.m. with tables from the Business Improvement District, Greene’s Beans Cafè, Wawa, Philly Pretzel Factory, Stella G’s, Kilhaney Pickles, Marley’s Gotham Grill, Aires Moon Crystals, Tracey’s Candy Shoppe, 6 Daughters Soap Boutique and others.

From 6 to 7 p.m., Faith Center for the Arts a Cappella Choir will sing in the Holiday Boutique Tent.

From 6:15 to 7 p.m., the Colonial Musketeers Senior Corps will perform at Hometown Hardware.

The Santa Parade from Main and Plane streets to Moore Street runs from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

The tree lighting will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Moore Street Gazebo.

The Hackettstown High School Band will play from 7:45 to 8 p.m. on Moore Street near Stella G’s.

Centenary Stage Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol” is at 8 in the Lackland Center on the Centenary campus.

Sponsors of the event are: Mars Wrigley, Centenary, Fulton Bank, House of the Good Shepherd, Hackettstown Recreation Commission, the town fire and police departments and board of education.

On Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon to 3 p.m., the event will include crafts, holiday vendors and Santa at the Community Center. Strolling musicians and other holiday fun will be in town all weekend.

For more about the BID and its year-round events, visit www.hackettstownbid.org.

The BID urges everyone to shop small all weekend.