Many festive events are planned for the long Thanksgiving weekend in western Nevada County, including Cornish Christmas tonight in Grass Valley.

Most offer a vivid reminder of the area's historic past, and they collectively kick off the busiest shopping season.

Downtown Grass Valley along Mill and Main streets will be shut down to vehicle traffic for the 40th annual Cornish Christmas from 6 to 9 p.m. The old-fashioned Christmas setting features carolers, musicians, street vendors, arts and crafts booths and, of course, Santa Claus.

Cornish Christmas will be celebrated each of the five Fridays before Christmas: tonight, November 30 and December 7, 14 and 21. Grass Valley's ties to the Cornish date back to the mid-1800s, when many miners - nicknamed "Cousin Jacks and Jennys" - from Cornwall, England emigrated here.

Other area events this weekend include:

• The annual Artisans Festival at Miners Foundry (325 Spring Street) in Nevada City, today through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3, with children under 12 free.

• In Grass Valley, the Nevada County Fairgrounds holds its 23rd annual Country Christmas Faire, which draws thousands of visitors annually. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4; children are free.

• The annual Holiday Open House at Empire Mine State Historic Park today and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Empire Mine, which closed in 1956, is the site of the state's oldest, largest and richest gold mine.

• The Christmas Craft Faire & Sandwich Shoppe at the Nevada City United Methodist Church (433 Broad St.) today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

• The Foothill Theatre Company 2007 holiday presentation "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" is featured tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Nevada Theatre (401 Broad St.) in Nevada City. It runs continuously through December 30.

Other events are planned in December.

Nevada City's 30th annual Victorian Christmas will be held three Wednesday nights, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. and on two Sunday afternoons, Dec. 9 and 16, from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum (5 Kidder Court, Nevada City) will hold its annual Christmas celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 1.

Candlelight Tour of historic Bed and Breakfast Inns in Grass Valley and Nevada City on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10

A Victorian Christmas at the Grass Valley United Methodist Church (236 South Church Street) will be held on December 5, 12 and 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. and December 9 and 16, from noon to 5 p.m. Craft fair, cookies, hot chocolate and visits with Santa Claus will be offered in the Fellowship Hall.

A Victorian Christmas at Miners Foundry on Dec. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m.

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To contact Editor Jeff Pelline, e-mail jpelline@theunion.com or call 477-4235.