Many local churches and other groups are hosting Christmas and New Year activities and services over the next two weeks.

The following events are some of what is scheduled.

Wednesday, Dec. 19

A Sacrament of Penance service will be held at St. Raymond’s Church in Raymondville from 6:30-730 p.m. All are invited.

Thursday, Dec. 20

Potsdam Recreation will host a Skate with Santa and photo opportunity from 6-7 p.m. at the Pine Street Arena, 43 Pine St. Admission is $2 with children younger than 5 admitted free. Skate rentals will be $3.

The Family Book Club at the Ogdensburg Library, 312 Washington St., will meet to discuss “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens and learn to make Christmas crackers. All are invited to the free event.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton, 3 1/2 Main St., will host a winter solstice celebration at 5:30 p.m. All are invited. The ceremony will be followeed by a simple meal of bread and soup.

Friday, Dec. 21

Canton United Methodist Church, 41 Court St., is holding a Blue Christmas service at 6 p.m. A Blue Christmas Service, also called the Long Night Service is held on or near the longest nightr of the year. It is designed for those who find Christmas to be a difficult season. The service is open to all and will feature music, prayers and readings.

A Blue Christmas service will also be held at the Colton United Methodist Church, 11 Church St. All are welcome.

The 18th Annual Community Winter Solstice celebration will be held at the Eben Holden Conference Center at St. Lawrence University at 6 p.m. The free celebration is an earth-based ceremony and open to all ages. Non-perishable food donations to local food pantries will be accepted. Attendees are invited to bring musical instruments to join in a circle of sound to welcome back the sun.

A Sacrament of Penance service will be held at the Norfolk Church of the Visitation from 3:30-4:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 22

The community of Waddington will be staging its annual Christmas in Waddington Celebration, with a variety of activities planned. The Josh Barkley Band will perform from 3-5 p.m. in the refurbished Old Town Hall. The event is hosted by the town and the Gallery Lake St. Lawrence Arts.

Sunday, Dec. 23

The annual Barb & Danny Christmas Sing Along, featuring Barb Heller and Danny Gotham, will be held at Pickens Hall, 83 State St. at 2 p.m. The duo will lead an afternoon of favorite Christmas carols. Admission will be a donation to support the Heuvelton United Methodist and St. Raphael’s food pantries.

The North Side Community Church on North Main Street will host a Christmas caroling session from 6:30 t0 7:30 p.m. There will be refreshments.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton will host the service “How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus” at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. James Galasinski will discuss the legend of St. Nicholas and look at how myths are born.

Monday, Dec. 24

Christmas Eve services are planned including a candlelight service at 7 p.m. at the Canton United Methodist Church, 41 Court St. All are welcome.

The Nicholville United Methodist Church, 637 Water St. will host a service at 3 p.m. in the parish hall. All are welcome.

Zion Episcopal Church, 91 Main St., Colton, will present a full Eucharist and candlelight service at 5 p.m. There will be congregational singing, instrumental music and memory trees. All are welcome.

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, 28 Elm St. (at the First Church of Christ, Scientist) will hold its annual candlelight service at 7 p.m.

Vigil masses will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s in Norwood and at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Visitation in Norfolk.

Trinity Episcopal Church on Fall Island, 8 Maple St. in Potsdam will host a children’s Christmas service at 5 p.m. and a free community supper at 6 p.m.

The First Presbyterian Church, 42 Elm St., corner of Route 11 and 11B, will host a Christmas Eve Service at 7 p.m. The service will include readings, carols, lighting of the Advent wreath, holy communion, candlelight singing and a choral anthem. The Rev. Holly Haile Thompson will be the celebrant.

A Skate with Santa will be held at the Canton Pavilion from 1-2:30 p.m. Admission is a cash donation or non-perishable food item. Proceeds will be donated to the Canton Food Bank. Skate rentals will be available.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton, 3 1/2 Main St., will host the service “The Meanings of Christmas” at 7 p.m. The candlelight service will look at the four main reasons to celebrate the holiday: as midwinter festival, the birthday of Jesus Christ, a festival of sharing and giving and a festival of joy. An offering will be accepted to be benefit the church and community program.

First Congregational Church, 300 New York Ave., will hold a Christmas Eve service at 6:45. All are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, Dec. 25

Christmas Day Mass will be held at 8:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s in Norwood and at 10:30 a.m. at St. Raymond’s in Raymondville. Many area churches will host Christmas Day services. Call your church for times.

There will be free public skating on Christmas Day at the Canton Pavilion from 3-5 p.m. Skate rentals are available.

The Ogdensburg Nights of Columbus will host a free Christmas ham dinner, at its Hasbrouck Street club, starting at 11 a.m. Transportation from Centennial, Riverview and Parkview towers will be provided, starting at 11 a.m. Sign-up sheets are available in the lobby of each tower. The Knights will provide free delivery to homebound and take-outs will be available. Call 315-393-7990 for reservations.

Sunday, Dec. 30

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton will host a New Year’s service at 10:30 a.m. All are invited.

Monday, Dec. 31

A variety of New Year’s Eve parties and events are planned around the North Country.

Among those scheduled are a New Year’s Eve Gala hosted by the Massena Senior Citizens Club at 61 Beach St. Music will be provided by the Kickin’ Back Band from 8 p.m.-midnight. A buffet will be provided from 6-8 p.m. and breakfast from midnight-1 p.m. There will be door prizes, noise makers and more. Tickets are available at the club office until Dec. 27.

A Chicago New Year’s Eve party will be be held in Hogansburg at the Brass Horse Grille, 516 State Route 37. There will be a ball drop at 1 a.m. Chicago time. DJ Lauzon will provide the music and there will be toasts and finger foods. There is no cover charge.

The Canton Knights of Columbus will host a New Year’s Eve Bingo Night at 6 p.m. at their club at 30 Miner St.

Vino Vidi Vici, 10 W. Orvis St., Massena, will host a New Year’s Eve Party from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be music by Shawn Stoddard and the BackWater Blues Band, prizes and champagne.