As the turkey settles in everybody's belly, it's already time to think Christmas — and not just in a shopping kind of way, but also in a festive-celebration manner.

'Tis the season for light parades, and Ledyard is holding its Parade of Lights and Carol Sing on Sunday, with a tree lighting at 5 p.m., followed by the procession at 5:15 p.m. leaving from Ledyard Center School and then carol singing around the bonfire at the fairgrounds.

Light parades aren't confined to land. On Saturday, the Mystic River is aglow thanks to the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade at 6 p.m., with a tree lighting at Mystic River Park to boot. Parents should note, though, that they might want to make the pilgrimage to Mystic River Park earlier in the day; Santa arrives there by boat at 2 p.m., and he'll meet with the kids.

Niantic, meanwhile, holds its Holiday Stroll on Saturday afternoon, featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, free hot cider and cocoa on the green, and holiday sales and discounts at lots of shops. St. Nick will be arriving in style on a fire truck at 5:20 p.m. for the tree lighting on Liberty Green.

The Right Jolly Old Elf apparently likes riding on fire trucks, because he'll be doing the same thing on Friday in downtown Pawcatuck-Westerly, with his helpers handing out holiday candy and coloring books to the youngsters.

Santa will turn up, too, at the Celebration of Lights and Song Saturday at New London's Parade Plaza.

And Mr. and Mrs. Claus will meet with children Friday afternoon at Olde Mistick Village.

FRIDAY

Visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus — Noon-3 p.m., Olde Mistick Village Meeting House, Coogan Boulevard, Mystic; also Sat.; oldemistickvillage.com.

Santa Arrives in Westerly — 6 p.m., Dixon Square, Westerly; if weather is bad, the event will be at Westerly Armory.

SATURDAY

Holiday Stroll and Tree-Lighting — 3-7 p.m., Main Street, Niantic; Santa arrives for 5 p.m. tree lighting on Liberty Green; discovereastlyme.com.

Tree Lighting and Holiday Lighted Boat Parade — 6 p.m., Mystic River Park, Cottrell Street; mysticchamber.org.

Santa Arrives by Boat — 2 p.m., Mystic River Park, Cottrell Street; mysticchamber.org.

Celebration of Lights & Song — 3-5 p.m., Parade Plaza, New London; newlondonmainstreet.org.

SUNDAY

Ledyard Parade of Lights — Tree lighting at 5 p.m., then parade, Ledyard Center School, 740 Colonel Ledyard Highway; ledyardfair.org.