By Alexa Epitropoulos | aepitropoulos@alextimes.com

The Campagna Center has announced the schedule of festivities for the 47th annual Scottish Christmas Walk, which will return this December.

The weekend’s marquee event, the Scottish Christmas Walk parade, will kick off on Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. The parade starts at St. Asaph and Wolfe streets and concludes at Market Square with a concert. The parade includes a cast of characters, from Scottish clans to bagpipes and drums to Scottish dancers, reenactment groups, Scottie dogs, dignitaries, classic cars and, of course, Santa Claus. 

Taste of Scotland is held on Dec. 1 and begins at 6:30 p.m. for event patrons and at 8 p.m. for general admission. The event includes a Scotch tasting menu that will feature Scotches directly from distilleries, an ale sampling, and beer, wine and food provided by Society Fair. A Scotch seminar will be held at 8:30 p.m.

A tour of holiday homes will be held on Dec. 2 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to tour Alexandria’s history by visiting a number of Old Town’s homes, which will be decorated by interior designers and local florists. Tour guides will be on hand to provide historical context.

In addition, the Deck the Halls with Santa event will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at Norton Hall on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. The whole family is invited to come for a chance to sit on Santa’s lap, listen to live carolers, participate in holiday crafts and enjoy Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.