This weekend, you may spot a crew hanging lights around the village in preparation for the holiday season.

“They will be here Saturday and Sunday to decorate. They’re grown men, and they wear elf costumes,” said realtor Linda Hopps.

The Padanaram Christmas Festival is coming to town on Dec. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. Much like Padanarama, held this past summer, the festival will give patrons an opportunity to visit shops, grab a bite to eat and enjoy outdoor activities.

Hopps and three others started the tradition in the late ‘70s. At the time, Hopps was in retail, managing a high-end clothing store, and she wanted to find a way to lure shoppers to the village. She said, at the time, the shops weren’t open during nights or weekends.

This year’s summer festival was the biggest yet, and some of the proceeds from Padanarama will go toward adorning the village in Christmas lights.

“We have live entertainment, carolers and an a cappella group that’s going to walk around town,” she said. “All the businesses will be open and have snacks, treats and goodies.”

The main stage for the event will be at the corner of Bridge and Elm streets and feature a dance performance starting at 5:30 p.m. and carolers at 6 p.m. At 6:30, Santa will arrive by firetruck.

Santa won’t be the only whimsical winter icon roaming about, Elsa and Anna from Disney’s “Frozen” will also be wandering the village for photo ops.

Parking for the event will be available at the New Bedford Yacht Club. A shuttle service will also bring participants into the village from St. Mary’s Church.

Hopps also confirmed that the covered walkway, which was installed shortly after construction began at 7-9 Bridge Street, will be visited by elves and decked out with Christmas lights for the holiday.