Christmas.vg

Turning on the Christmas Lights in a town or city heralds the beginning of the festive season and helps to make everyone feel a little bit more cheery in the face of the Winter. If you would like to see your town or city featured in this list, just leave a comment with the full details (and links).

CHRISTMAS LIGHT-UP PARADE MARBLE FALLS 11/21/2008

• 6pm, Main Street, Marble Falls, Hill Country, TEXAS 78654
• Held in conjunction with the initial illumination of the Walkway of Lights.
• E-mail: kerri@marblefalls.org
• Telephone #: 830/693-2815
• Click here for more information.

MAGNIFICENT MILE LIGHTS FESTIVAL, CHICAGO 11/22/2008

• 11am – 7pm, Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and the Chicago River
• Join Mickey Mouse and many of his friends from Walt Disney World® Resorts for a magical holiday celebration in The Magnificent Mile® district. Witness the spectacular lighting of more than one million lights along North Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive, culminating in a magnificent fireworks show over the Chicago River
• 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Join us at the Harris Stage for exciting performances featuring Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Ralph’s World, Jason Mraz presented by 101.9 FM THE MIX and the Cheetah Girls presented by Radio Disney! Harris Stage, Pioneer Court, 401 North Michigan Avenue
• 5:00 p.m. Join in the fun before the procession begins! Enjoy live band entertainment all along the Avenue while you wait for the lighting procession to begin. North Michigan Avenue, from Oak Street to Wacker Drive
• 5:30 p.m. Help WLS 890 AM break the record for the world’s largest holiday carol! Join us in Pioneer Court, 401 North Michigan Avenue, to beat our existing record!
• 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Procession. Mickey Mouse, as master of ceremonies, leads the illumination of more than one million lights in The Magnificent Mile district to officially start the holiday season in Chicago! North Michigan Avenue, from Oak Street to Wacker Drive
• 6:52 p.m. Experience the spectacular ABC 7 Chicago fireworks display over the Chicago River as the grand finalé to this holiday event! North Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River
• Click here for more information.

WORTHAM CENTER TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, HOUSTON 11/26/2008

• Wortham Center, 501 Texas
• In the foyer at 11:00 a.m. The highlight of the event will occur when the Sugar Plum Fairy will illuminate 8,000 twinkling lights on Wortham Theater Center’s 25 foot Christmas tree. The festivities will include visits by costumed characters from Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker, including life-size fuzzy mice and toy soldiers.
• PHONE     713.237.1439

WHISTLE STOP CHRISTMAS LIGHTING, TEXAS 11/26/2008 – 12/31/2008

• 7pm, Hulen Park, 900 S. Hillsboro St., Cleburne, Prairies and Lakes, Texas
• Lighting ceremony where more than 3 million lights covering the 11-acre park are turned on. Lights can be viewed through the end of December
• Telephone #: 817/645-2455
• Click here for more information.

UPTOWN TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY 11/27/2008

• Galleria Area, Post Oak Blvd.
• When half a million holiday lights simultaneously illuminate 80 Christmas trees lining Post Oak Boulevard, it signals the start of the season. Choirs, bands and a huge fireworks show help stir up holiday spirit the evening of Thanksgiving.
• PHONE     713.621.2011
• www.uptown-houston.com

Phildelphia Christmas Market

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN PHILDELPHIA 11/27/2008 – 12/24/2008

• Dilworth Plaza, 1400 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19107
• FREE!
• The event will follow the example of a traditional German Christmas Market from Thanksgiving till Christmas Eve. A central stage will be the place for live performances of local choirs, orchestras and bands. There will also be a Santa’s house and the official municipal Christmas tree including its tree lighting ceremony.
• Click here for more details.

San Antonio Christmas River Lights

FORD HOLIDAY RIVER PARADE & LIGHTING CEREMONY 11/28/2008

• 7 pm, River Walk, 602 E. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205
• Phone: 210/227-4262
• Tickets can be obtained at: 210/227-4262 Paseo del Rio Association
• For over 20 years, the spectacular one-hour parade along San Antonio’s River Walk has featured decorated, illuminated floats with celebrities, bands and lavishly-costumed participants. The theme of for the parade is a Musical Christmas.
• Over 150,000 people will gather along the River Walk to watch the spectacle live along the parade route. Millions more will join in the fun watching the television broadcast. Reserved seating is available along the parade route.
• Click here for more information.

Ghirardelli Square Tree Ceremony at Christmas

2008 GHIRARDELLI SQUARE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY 11/28/2008

• 5.30pm, San Francisco
• Ghirardelli’s magical square comes alive with colorful performers, music, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a 50-foot Christmas tree lighting up the night.
• (415) 775-5500
• Email: info@ghirardellisq.com
• Click here for more information.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTING CEREMONY TEXAS 11/28/2008

• Lion Park, Jefferson, Piney Woods, Texas
• Experience the charm and elegance of Christmas memories of long ago amidst an enchanted forest. Includes a Victorian Santa, lighted Christmas trees, caroling, candles and more. Enchanted Forest (Lion’s Park). E-mail: juanitawc@sbcglobal.net
• Telephone #: 903/665-3733
• Click here for more information.

Christmas in Michigan

THE VILLAGE AGLOW TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY 11/28/2008

• 5:00 pm, Grosse Pointe The Village, Downtown, 16906 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
• Box Office: (313) 886-7474
• Join us as Mayor Dale Scrace lights the beautiful Village Christmas tree. Lighting takes place at 5:00 p.m. and is followed by a holiday sing-along featuring the Authentic Dickens Carolers. Complimentary hot chocolate provided by Grosse Pte. Boat Club.
• Click here for more details.

TWICE AS BRIGHT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 12/01/2008

• Texarkana, Piney Woods
• Includes a Christmas parade, community tree lighting ceremony, carriage rides, Santa Claus, downtown Christmas light display and more.
• Telephone #: 870/774-2120
• Click here for more information.

CHRISTMAS PARADE AND LIGHTING OF THE SQUARE 12/01/2008

• 5.30pm, Clarksville Square, Clarksville, Prairies and Lakes, Texas
• Christmas lights are turned on, and Santa appears on the square after the parade to visit with children. An annual chili supper is held, following the parade, at the First Presbyterian Church.
• E-mail: Redrivercc@1starnet.com
• Telephone #: 903/427-2645

MAYOR’S HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, HOUSTON, TEXAS 12/05/2008

• 5pm – 8.30pm, Hermann Square, City Hall, 901 Bagby
• The City of Houston presents The Mayor’s Holiday Celebration. Join Mayor Bill White for music, fireworks and the lighting of the official holiday tree.
• PHONE 713.247.3500 or click here.

DICKENS IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PLANO 12/05/2008

• Plano Centre, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Prairies and Lakes, Texas
• Downtown Plano is lit up with Christmas lights. Then, join in the fun of lighting the Plano Christmas Tree.
• Telephone #: 972/941-7250

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN CROSBYTON 12/05/2008-12/06/2008

• 5.30pm, Aspen Street on the Square, Crosbyton, Panhandle Plains, Texas
• Begins Friday with a chili cook-off and chili supper followed by a Christmas Lights Parade and Live Nativity. After the parade, visitors can enjoy buggy rides to see lights at homes in Crosbyton. Saturday morning begins with a Breakfast at the Prairie Ladies followed by a Christmas bazaar, domino tournament, Santa’s Sweet Shop, pictures with Santa and more.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ON HERITAGE SQUARE 12/05/2008 – 12/06/2008

• Sulphur Springs, Prairies and Lakes, Texas
• Includes lighting of the Christmas tree on the square on Friday, trolley rides to Heritage Park and a Christmas light parade on Saturday. Downtown on the Square.
• Telephone #: 888/300-6623
• Click here for more details.

DECEMBER NIGHTS IN BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO 12/05/2008 – 12/06/2008

• 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Balboa Park (east side of park near El Prado and museums)
• Balboa Park is alive with the joy of the holidays and the spirit of Christmas! Amid seasonal decorations, twinkling lights, Santa Claus, gift shopping, museum attractions, and ethnic food and drink, a huge Christmas Tree in magnificent glory will light up the night in song and music. It’s awesome!
• Public Contact: Stephen Shushan @ (619) 239-2437
• Vendor Contact: Allison Rynne @ (619) 239-2437
• Click here for more details.

LITTLE ITALY HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING & VILLAGE, SAN DIEGO 12/06/2008

• 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Little Italy (Date Street between India St. & Columbia St.)
• Little Italy is decorated into a Holiday Village where you can come for some friendly hometown holiday shopping. Unique gift items, light refreshments, singing, and the lighting of a Christmas Tree will add a sparkle to the evening. Stores will be open longer for late night shoppers.
• Contact Chris Gomez @ (619) 233-3898
• Vendor Contact: Catt White @ (619) 233-3769
• Click here for more details.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTED PARADE 12/06/2008

• Snyder, Panhandle Plains, Texas
• E-mail: snychcom@snydertex.com
• Telephone #: 325/573-3558
• Click here for more information.

GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET, TEXAS 12/13/2008

• 10am – 10pm, Train Depot Plaza Area and 100 Block Market St., Tomball, Gulf Coast
• Street festival and open air market includes German Christmas items, arts & crafts, kids area and more. Enjoy the lighting of the giant Christmas tree, large outdoor movie screen showing “It’s a Wonderful Life,” hayride and Christmas light tour, music, fireworks and more.
• E-mail: gradsand@yahoo.com
• Telephone #: 281/379-6844
• Click here for more details.