Churches and organizations around the city are sponsoring holiday events Thursday, and they will continue to do so through New Year’s Eve.

Thanksgiving celebrations will occur at several churches Thursday. Pleasant Union Baptist Church, 215 Webb St., will hold a Thanksgiving Day service at 9:30 a.m. Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St., will hold a Thanksgiving worship service at 11 a.m. King’s Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church, 6300 Old Myrtle Road, will have a Thanksgiving service at 9 a.m. New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church of Deliverance will have Thanksgiving Day service at 8 a.m.

In addition, Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 213 N. Main St., is hosting a free traditional Thanksgiving meal Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in its fellowship hall. Word and Spirit Worship Center on Bridge Road is holding a turkey drive until Dec. 15. To donate or apply to receive a turkey, call 729-9712.

The holiday events move into high gear next week.

On Dec. 1, the Pilot Club of Suffolk, Inc. and the Suffolk Police Department will light the safety tree at the old Health Department building, 1217 N. Main St., at 10 a.m. The tree is lit with green bulbs, which are replaced with red bulbs for each person who dies on Suffolk’s roadways during the holiday season.

On Dec. 4 and Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., Johnson’s Gardens will teach people how to make fresh door wreaths using local materials. A fee of $20 covers all materials and the class. Call 539-0295 to reserve your space.

On Dec. 5, the Suffolk Holiday Parade will take place downtown beginning at 10 a.m. The route will go from the corner of Main and Washington streets to the corner of Main Street and Finney Avenue.

Also on Dec. 5, Johnson’s Gardens will hold pictures with Santa from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

On Dec. 5-6, the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society will hold its 33rd annual Candlelight Tour in downtown. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 on tour days. Visitors will have the chance to visit four historical homes in the Bank Street area. Call 539-2781 for more information.

For the next few weeks, the Knights of Columbus Suffolk Council 7363 is selling fresh-cut Christmas trees at 1202 N. Main St. Call 925-0707.

Wilroy Baptist Church, 306 Williams Road, will have a Christmas cantata Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Nursery will be provided. Call 539-5658 for more information.

Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., will hold community caroling and dinner at 4 p.m. Dec. 6. Call 539-8751 or visit www.mainstumc.org for more information.

Wilroy Baptist Church, 306 Williams Road, will have a drive-through Christmas panorama Dec. 11-13 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. There is no admission charge. Call 539-5658 for more information.

Riddick’s Folly House Museum, 510 N. Main St., will hold “The Twelve Rooms of Christmas” Dec. 11-12 from 7 to 9 p.m. both days. Tickets are $3 for individuals, $5 per family (limit six people). Tour the entire museum with first-person costumed interpreters to learn how an early 19th-century family lived in one of Suffolk’s most opulent mansions. Tickets may be purchased in advance or the day of the event. Call 934-0822 or e-mail rfcurator@verizon.net.

Ballet Virginia International will perform “The Nutcracker Suite, Act II” Dec. 12-13 at 3 p.m. each day at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. To order tickets, call 923-2900 or visit www.SuffolkCenter.org.

Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., will hold a candlelight Christmas cantata at 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Call 539-8751 or visit www.mainstumc.org for more information.

East Suffolk Recreation Center, 138 S. Sixth St., will host Breakfast With Santa Dec. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Ages 10 and under will be admitted for $3 and a non-perishable food item per child.

Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., will hold one service Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. The theme will be “The Symbols of Christmas.”

Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., will hold a “Longest Night” service at 7 p.m. Dec. 21. This service will be for those who are seeking peace.

Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., will hold Christmas Eve communion services at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 24.

Wilroy Baptist Church, 306 Williams Road, will have a Christmas Eve candlelight communion service Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.