And so the holiday season begins in earnest. It begins, as it now always does, with the strolls.

East Lyme does its patented stroll on Saturday, from 4 to 8 p.m. all along festively decorated Main Street. What that means: horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, kids' activities. And ye ol' Santa arrives on a firetruck just in time for the 5 p.m. tree lighting on Liberty Green, at the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Then, on Wednesday, Westerly-Pawcatuck transforms into a winter wonderland, with luminaria lighting the way at its 13th annual stroll. From 5 to 9 p.m., visitors can take a hayride with Santa, hear carolers, and stop into stores for hot chocolate and special promotions. The event is soonsored by The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association.

East Lyme Holiday Stroll, 4-8 p.m. Saturday, downtown Niantic; www.discovereastlyme.com.

Westerly-Pawcatuck Holiday Stroll & Luminaria, 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck; if it's bad weather, the stroll will move to Dec. 3; (401) 596-7761.