Kennett Square’s annual parade lent a festive air to the borough that is expected to continue through the holidays.

A house tour. A concert. Carriage rides. An art stroll. Gingerbread house making. Kennett Square is pulling out the stops to lure shoppers to its vibrant downtown for the holidays.

Historic Kennett Square jumpstarted the season with its annual parade on Friday and has numerous attractions scheduled for the remainder of the shopping season. Among them: a Dec. 1 concert by the Kennett Symphony; horse drawn-carriage rides from noon to 3 p.m. at the Genesis Walkway at 101 E. State St. on Dec. 2; a First Friday Art Stroll on Dec. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.; and gingerbread house creating on Dec. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bayard Taylor Library.

The holiday home tour will be held Dec. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. and includes an array that highlights the unique and varied history of the borough.  The tour, which is self-guided, includes a brochure with a brief history of each home and what you can expect to see there.  Tickets, which cost $20, may be purchased 
with a credit card by calling 610-444-8141, Monday through -Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets may be picked up at Sunrise Cafe
, 127 E. State Street, during business hours up until 4 p.m.  the day of the tour.

In addition, many retailers and restaurants are offering specials that should make you glad you opted to avoid the mall.