The following information is from the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

As befits the weekend before Christmas in Berkeley Springs, music fills the air.

On Thursday at 7:30pm, the Community Concert Band plays a full program of holiday music at Berkeley Springs High School. There is a long tradition of community bands in Berkeley Springs and this one fits the bill with musicians from 7 to 87.

Saturday night the music ranges from sacred to country rock. The Winter Solstice Peace Concert starts at 7:30pm at the Presbyterian Church. Part of the Church on the Hill Concert Series, it features traditional music with strings, winds and singers including John Devine, Leslie Milbourn, Linda Whitesitt and the Springs Chamber Ensemble. For those with a dancing persuasion, head on out to the Troubadour where the popular Weber Brothers stopping by while on tour. They begin playing at 9pm and keep going until the dancing stops. The fun at the Troubadour is actually a two day event with the music starting on Saturday at 2pm and on Sunday again at 2pm continuing through the evening. A single admission price covers all 18 hours of live music.

Friday night offers a unique brand of after dark fun at the Morgan County Observatory which hosts a public star party beginning at 7:30pm and starring everyone from Jupiter and Orion to the Andromeda galaxy -- all visible.

The rest of the nightlife in town is about wine bars -- Ambrae House and La Luna; and great places to eat from the Country Inn and Lot 12 to Temptations Cafe, Tari's and Panorama at the Peak. Temptations is the new kid in town and folks are really pleased with their solid menu and world famous coconut cake. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner from Thursday through Sunday. The list of good eats goes on to include Earth Dog Cafe, Angus and Ale, Mi Ranchito, Maria's Garden, Soupity Salad Express and more. Check the dining page for the full list. Don't forget those special treats like coffee at Fairfax Coffee House, ice cream at Creekside and the town's ONLY sushi at Rose Cafe.

Let's be honest -- this weekend is all about shopping and we have some stops you should make including Nature Niche on Thursday afternoon to see Santa AND get 15% off each purchase from 4 to 7pm. Guiding you to great places to shop is easy. Just start at Berkeley Springs State Park in the heart of town and follow the main street with a few side street detours. You find two antique malls and a couple shops, books, crystals, homeopathic medical remedies, new age books, herbs, jewelry, whimsical home decor items, quilt supplies, wine, Himalayan treasures and ART, ART, ART. In addition to co-op gallery filled with local art, the Ice House also has an outstanding special exhibit with items ranging from boxes and containers for the gifts that go in them. One of the great gift items is a certificate for spa services -- from a day of treatment to an individual massage or rub or scrub or wrap. You owe it to the recipient of the gift certificate for you to test the spa out for your friend or family -- you'll just need to sample that massage or pedicure to be sure.

Take your time about all the holiday adventures -- get a room. Stay the night. Choose among cabins with fireplaces and elegant B&Bs with in-room whirlpool tubs. Skim the lodging page,find the ideal place for you to pick up a certificate or two for the perfect gift.