Vashon will kick off the holiday season this weekend with activities for all ages.

Winterfest weekend, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, will begin with the First Friday gallery cruise, when galleries open from 6 to 9 p.m. The weekend of art will continue Saturday and Sunday, when studios around the island open for the annual Holiday Art Studio Tour (see story, page 16).

On Saturday, downtown merchants will welcome shoppers and other guests all day as they look for gifts and drop off open house coupons — printed in The Beachcomber — in hopes of winning prizes.

The main Winterfest event comes Saturday evening. The holiday parade begins at about 5:30 at the IGA and ends at the Village Green, where islanders gather for the tree lighting. Santa will stay in the Village Green this year so children can easily visit him. On Sunday they can stop by for a photo in Santa’s cottage at the Village Green.

Throughout the weekend, merchants will also host the third annual gingerbread house tour, where visitors can vote for their favorite houses created by local businesses.

There will be a road closure during Winterfest. Vashon Highway will close from Cove Road to 178th, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, as will Bank Road from 100th to 97th. Traffic and Metro buses will follow detour routes.

This version of the story corrects the day of the tree lighting. That celebration will be Saturday evening.