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Leavenworth is its own unique festival attraction, each square Germanic inch of it, from the “Willkommen” sign upon the body Highway 2 to the countless nutcrackers in shop after shop after shop. It’s especially popular during the Christmas Lighting Festival to boot the highest three weekends in December.

Shopping tips

• Kris Kringl, 907 Front St. This shop screams Christmas, all year long. New this year are a number of items by famed ornament designer Christopher Radko under the banner of “charity awareness.” Buy an ornament called “Quilt N Claus” (for $75), for case in point, and a deal out of that sale goes near at hand AIDS awareness. www.kkringl.com or 888-557-4645.

• Die Musik Box, 933 Front St. We are captivated by an ostrich-egg replica carousel, with lights, score, horses, the works. It’s on sale (!) adhering the Web site for $399.95. www.musicboxshop.com or 800-288-5883.

• Nussknacker Haus, 735 Front St. What would this anniversary be in the absence of a chance to see, oh, something parallel HUNDREDS OF NUTCRACKERS! We developed a particular fondness for the Mayor of Emerald City nutcracker (no relation to Seattle’s own). He’s on auction attached the store’s Web site for $130. www.nussknackerhaus.com or call 800-892-3989.

Cozying up

It’s easy to find cozy in Leavenworth but not easy to book cozy in crowded December. You may want to depart your accommodations search end the guest center: 509-548-5807 or www.leavenworth.org. Maybe try for a weeknight at one of these:

• Mountain Home Lodge, 8201 Mountain Home Road. Quintessential mountain lodge. 800-414-2378 or www.mthome.com.

• Run of the River Inn & Refuge, 9308 E. Leavenworth Road. 800-288-6491 or www.runoftheriver.com.

• Hotel Pension Anna, 926 Commercial St. In town, easy enlargement to shops, restaurants. Comfortable and well-appointed B&B. 800-509-2662 or www.pensionanna.com.

Ho, ho, ho interval

Three big weekends — Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 — aspect the village’s annual Christmas Lighting Festival. Saint Nicholas arrives forward Friday even (no lights on Fridays). On Saturdays and Sundays, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus arrive at noon, with entertainment throughout the afternoon and the lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m., when visitors gather at the downtown gazebo to sing “O Tannenbaum.”