BANGOR – Families can jumpstart the holidays with a variety of activities downtown on Saturday, Dec. 2.

. The Festival of Lights Parade, sponsored by the Rotary Club, will begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. The theme is “Embrace the Magic.” The Bangor Christmas tree also will be lighted.

The Bangor Band, a brass ensemble, will play Christmas carols in the square 3:15-4:30 p.m. To participate, call 973-6168.

. Maine Discovery Museum’s 5th annual Time of Wonder Children’s Book Festival on Saturday will showcase some of the year’s best new books for children and young readers by Maine authors and illustrators. Guests for the event are Noah Z. Jones, Toni Buzzeo, Cynthia Lord and Joan MacCracken.

Every year the Time of Wonder Award is presented to a book that captures the sense of wonder and imagination of the most enduring children’s literature. The festival brings outstanding writers and illustrators to the museum to share their books and creativity with children, families and teachers.

. 10 a.m. Noah Z. Jones, illustrator of “Monster in My Backpack” and “Not Norman,” talks about “How to Get Your Creativity Going,” giving children a chance to do some drawing of their own. Jones, who lives in Camden, will be in the Bangor schools Friday, Dec. 1, in a program sponsored by the city of Bangor’s Cultural Commission.

. 11 a.m. Toni Buzzeo, author of “The Sea Chest” and “Dawdle Duckling.” Her new book is “Our Librarian Won’t Tell Us ANYTHING!” Buzzeo is a media specialist from southern Maine who loves to share her stories and teaching tips with parents and teachers.

. 1 p.m. Yarmouth author Cynthia Lord reads from her debut novel “Rules.” The novel has been praised for its candid, sensitive look at feeling different and finding acceptance, as a girl learns to love and live with the challenges of having an autistic brother.

. 2 p.m. Meet Joan MacCracken, former Bangor pediatrician, whose colorful book is a retelling of the folktale “Trisba and Sula.” Bringing photos from her recent trip to Central America, MacCracken will read part of the story and tell how her book is helping to build a library in Nicaragua.

With programs and booksignings throughout the day, the festival has something for everyone, including free refreshments at 3:30 p.m., as parents and children get ready to watch the parade.

The Time of Wonder Festival is sponsored by Northeast Cardiology Associates and Unicel. Books are available at Too Much Fun, the museum store. For information about the festival and other Maine Discovery Museum programs, visit www.mainediscoverymuseum.org.