With a chance of snow and colder air in the forecast and Christmas tunes on the radio, it can only mean one thing. The countdown to the holidays is officially underway. This is a big weekend as December has arrived in the Friendly City.

Moose Jaw Police are kicking off their annual stop checks that run through the New Years celebrations. Officers will be out in full force patrolling the city and conducting road side checks to keep everyone safe.  We're being reminded that safe driving is not just a holiday thing and that it's never okay to drink and drive.

December festivities kick off Friday morning at the Dr Wigmore Regional Hospital as the Moose Jaw Health Foundation holds their “Light Up the Holidays”. Just after 11am, the giant Christmas Tree will be lit up for the the first time by sponsor Charles Vanden Broek of Murray GM.

Friday night the festivities continue as the Moose Jaw Warriors host Teddy Bear Toss Night. We're being reminded to wrap those teddies, toques and mitts in a plastic bags to keep them clean as we toss them onto the ice at Mosaic Place when the Warriors score their first goal.

Then on Sunday, the annual Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade hits Main Street. The parade will start at 6:00pm and will follow the route from down on Manitoba Street.