Christmas festivities begin this weekend in North Webster and Syracuse, but there’s also many other upcoming holiday events in Warsaw and surrounding areas.
Here is a round-up of the events, by date:
N. Webster Tree Lighting, Saturday
The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce invites the public to join it for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday on Pilcher’s lawn.
North Webster businesses are helping with the celebration in a number of ways.
Tangibles is offering free chili and doughnuts beginning at 4:30 p.m. Oswalt Family Bakery and Café is supplying the chili and doughnuts.
Sue’s Creations will be open 4 to 6 p.m. and offer red roses for $1 per stem, half off fall decor and 10% off Christmas decor.
There will be free cider, cookies and face painting by Renea. Ace Hardware will be handing out free popcorn, while Judy’s De Ja Vu is offering 20% off storewide. At Pilcher’s will be a drawing in the store for 20% off purchase. Pedals and Paddles will have a 10%-off storewide sale, while Roll N Smoke food truck will be offering full menu items for sale.
Mike Beezley and Anna Gibson will sing carols live with the community.
Additional donations for Saturday’s event will include candy canes from AK Hare Co., caroling candles by Guy’s Lawn Care, hot chocolate by Mohawk Pier and Lift/The River and cookies from Subway.
Holiday Magic, Saturday
Also this Saturday, the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting “Holiday Magic” from 5 to 7 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park at Crosson Mill.
The event’s Facebook page states, “Come join the Syracuse Parks Department as we welcome the winter season with the official lighting of the town Christmas tree. There will be performances from both the elementary and middle school choirs, hot chocolate, cookies and a special appearance from Santa Claus himself!”
Winona Tree Lighting, Nov. 30
The Village at Winona will have its tree-lighting ceremony Nov. 30. Activities are 3:30 to 7 p.m.
According to the event’s Facebook page, “Bring the whole family for an afternoon of outdoor fun. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and train rides. Warm up by the campfire with caroling before we light the tree at 6:30.” The event concludes with a visit from Santa. The event is free, and donations of a new and unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots is encouraged.
From 3:30 to 6 p.m. is the Toys for Tots collection, kids’ ornament making and train rides for all ages.
Christmas carolers will be from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m., with the Stinson organ demonstration from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Free cookies and hot chocolate, and Santa, will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The lighting ceremony takes place from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m.
Some of The Village at Winona store specials include 10% off jewelry purchases with a Toys for Tots donation at The Beaded Peacock; and 10% off for anyone donating a toy for Toys for Tots and a free tote for anyone making a purchase of $25 or more at Belove.
Old Fashioned Christmas, Nov. 30
For anyone looking for a “unique fun-filled Christmas family activity,” Chautauqua-Wawasee plans to celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30.
The celebration is open to the public, free of charge, and no registration is required, according to oakwoodresort.com.
The event will be held outdoors on the grounds of Oakwood Resort, with activities starting with music by a brass ensemble on the gazebo near the Oakwood Inn.
At 6:30 p.m., the Christmas tree will be lighted and carols will be sung around it.
“Then you and your family may stroll up the lighted path to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Take pictures with the kids. Listen to an elf read the ‘Night Before Christmas.’ Stop along the path to listen to two different barbershop quartets sing carols. Get warmed up with some hot chocolate and munch on a cookie. Watch out for the Grinch! Other characters will be roaming the grounds and available for pictures, too,” the website states.
Stroll up to the chapel to hear the Christmas story read. Stop to see the live nativity on the way to the chapel. Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the park.
These are just some of the many activities planned for the celebration. If severe weather occurs, check the Chautauqua-Wawasee Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChautauquaWawasee for information and updates.
And since this is Small Business Saturday, Syracuse’s retail stores and restaurants will be offering special Christmas treats.
Christmas Countdown, Dec. 1
On Dec. 1, the Downtown Christmas Countdown and Ornament Smash will kick-off at the county courthouse square from 5 to 8 p.m. Participating merchants will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. to begin the 25 days until Christmas countdown.
The 20-foot tree will be lighted at 7:30 p.m.
Collections for the Salvation Army Angel Tree will be at Mad Anthony’s, Latte Lounge, Alderfer Bergen, the Warsaw Community Public Library and The Emporium.
Live Christmas music will be provided by Pickslide. The Morning Optimist Singers will sing Christmas carols.
There will be intercultural ceremonies, including the lighting of the Menorah and Los Posadas, a Latino tradition.
Kids’ make-it and take-it crafts will be at Mad Anthony’s, and there also will be hot chocolate and toasted s’mores.
Santa Claus will arrive by radio station WIOE’s helicopter around 5 p.m.
Arrive by 5 p.m. or listen to Classic Hits 107.3FM for ways to win tickets to the Ornament Smash Event and a chance to become the 2019 grand prize winner of a car from Lucky 7 Car Store in Warsaw.
Hometown Holly Days, Dec. 6
First Friday downtown Warsaw is Dec. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Carriage rides will be offered from 5 to 9 p.m. Cost is a new, unwrapped toy or donation to the Salvation Army closet.
The Twinkle Light Parade starts at 6 p.m.
Ice sculptures will be on display and the Optimist Santa House will be available all night. Sponsorships for the ice sculptures are still available for $300. Contact First Friday coordinator Paula Bowman at 574-376-0233 for details.
Light Up The Night, Dec. 6
Santa and Mrs. Claus will help lead the Twinkle Light Parade down to Central Park for the annual “Light Up the Night” event from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6.
The Clauses will stop at the Center Lake Pavilion where they will visit with children inside.
Face painters and balloon artists also will be inside the pavilion, along with kids’ crafts and activities.
Silver level sponsorship is provided by Steve and Jill Beehler, Mariner Finance and Paragon Medical. Bronze level sponsorship by VIA Credit Union.
For more information, visit www.warsaw.in.gov/parks.
Christmas Lights Party, Dec. 6
The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation is hosting its fifth annual Christmas Lights Party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at 11586 N. Ind. 13, Syracuse.
There will be a “roaring fire, tasty chili and good fellowship at this perfect start to the holiday season. We welcome any and all of our watershed friends and neighbors to stop by and join the fun,” the WACF Facebook page states.
Community Concert, Dec. 8
The Community Christmas program is Dec. 8 at the Winona Heritage Room in Winona Lake. Concerts are at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Performing will be the Lakeland Community Choir, Lakeland Youth Chorale, Symphony of the Lakes Orchestra, Lancer Chorus and special guest Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass.
Tickets are $10 each and available through the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts box office or at the door.
Bowman said the concerts sold out last year so people should get their tickets early.
Susie McEntire Returns, Dec. 14
Country and gospel recording artist Susie McEntire – sister to country music legend Reba McEntire – is returning to Warsaw for a Christmas show to benefit Toys for Tots.
Entry fee is a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
The concert is 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Lakeview Middle School.
The Class Act Dance Troupe of Warsaw is slated to perform with her again this year.
