It’s beginning to look — and taste, sound, and smell — a lot like Christmas in Padanaram.

On December 8, the annual Padanaram Christmas Festival, hosted by the Padanaram Business Association, electrified the sparkly Christmas tree light-lined village streets with heaps of holiday cheer, hot chocolate, and holly jolly carols.

Hundreds upon hundreds of families and friends, dogs in tow, were greeted by generous shop owners and businesses serving free spirits and treats, including popcorn, cotton candy, and hot dogs.

Talented boys and girls from The Dancer’s Edge hip hopped and spectacularly spun about in a holiday street performance.

And while it was a local celebration, some very special guests made the 4,437 mile trip to Padanaram: Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their dedicated team of elves jetted into the festival and visited excited kiddos to discuss the critical business at hand — this year’s Christmas wish lists.

Dartmouth Fire District No. 1 provided a grand entrance for the group, because “his reindeer were tired,” commented one firefighter.

Santa revealed his favorite cookie is a Lorna Doone. For the non-Lorna Doone lovers, what is Lorna Doone? It’s a shortbread-esque cookie which first came on the scene in 1912. It is still sold today, so it must be good enough if it both has longevity and Santa, a worldwide cookie connoisseur, loves it.

However, Santa stressed that he’s grateful for all treats – whether baked goods or Brussel sprouts.

“Whatever you leave out is good,” Santa said.

Even the Grinch didn’t want to miss the festival, and was spotted slithering through the streets until he camped out at Anne Whiting Real Estate, enchanting throngs of Grinch-lovers.

In addition to businesses and the fire department, Boy Scouts Troop 170 set up shop to raise money for their endeavors by selling a smattering of hot food and beverages. While hot chocolate was the big seller, they also offered kale soup.

With temperatures in the 30s, Chip Koser and Cam Quinn from South Cape Ice Sculptors whipped up some ice magic in less than an hour by transforming 300 pound blocks of ice into frosty works of art including a reindeer, menorah, Christmas tree, and snowman.

“Perfect ice sculpture weather,” Koser said.

It was a scene straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Except zero movie magic here. This was even better – it’s real-life in Padanaram.