POULSBO — Christmas arrived in Little Norway this weekend, with the help of some lights, garlands and a cherry picker.

Sunday morning, members of the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association and community volunteers strung holiday decorations down Front Street and Jensen Way. They were assisted by representatives from Sprint, who helped hoist the garlands and lights high above the street.

Viking ship banners were replaced with ones sporting reindeer and even the Anderson Parkway got a coat of good tidings with several large wreaths. Near Marina Market, the traditional Holiday Heritage House was also erected with the help of Fischer General Contracting.

The decorations will be in place until January.

Besides decor, downtown is also preparing for the holiday season by planning a full schedule of events. Here is a list of HPDA happenings through Dec. 21:

•North Pole Mailbox open daily in front of Hearts and Homespun

•Holiday Heritage House open daily featuring a giving tree for Fishline

•Father Christmas available noon to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Heritage House

•Downtown shops and the Marine Science Center will be open until 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. The MSC offers Drop and Shop, with activities for kids while parents shop

•At 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at Waterfront Park, downtown merchants host Yul Cup. Watch the Poulsbo Yacht Club’s lighted ships parade, enjoy hot cider and cookies and join the pine cone ceremony to reflect, make a resolution, a pledge, or a wish.

This is the second year in a row that the downtown has attempted special holiday hours to attract more Christmas shoppers, explained HDPA Community Relations Chair Angela Wilkinson. Last year, the response was not as great as expected but shop keepers are bringing it back again this year in the hopes of it catching on.

“We just need to get the word out that this service is there and open to everyone,” Wilkinson said. “This kind of shopping — downtown, outside with the chill in your bones — is much better than shopping at the mall.”

Besides staying open later, the HDPA is attempting to create an old fashioned downtown shopping experience this holiday season. Shoppers will be greeted by a lit downtown, open shops and entertainment from a roaming brass quartet and the North Kitsap High School carolers.

“And of course within every store is just a smorgasbord of great ideas and fine gifts,” Wilkinson commented.