Ring in the holidays
With the holidays right around the corner, community events are going to start very soon. Here are a number of options for families, kids and adults for the holiday season in Butte County.
Santa at the mall
Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at 1 p.m. today at the Chico Marketplace. Santa will be at his holiday workshop located next to American Eagle until Dec. 24.
Christmas Previews
Downtown Oroville has planned a Christmas Preview from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in downtown Oroville. There will be carolers along the streets and ballet dancers from the Northern California Ballet School Oroville. Downtown Oroville will be decorated and there will be carriage rides for $5 per person to see all of the decorations. Children three years old and under are free. On Sunday, Nov. 21, the Downtown Chico Business Association will host a Christmas Preview from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Chico. Santa will arrive at Santa’s Village at 4:30 p.m. for pictures. The Chico Fire Department will be located on Third Street with an engine and picture opportunities.
Dance Troops will be at Made in Chico, Chico Children’s Museum, Kinetics, Pita Pit and Urban Coutre. There will be caroling by Sounds of the Valley Chorus, Children’s Choir of Chico, Chico High School Choir and Pleasant Valley High Choir.
The Grinch and Who Girls will be roaming around from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Giving drives
Junk King Chico has a HAULidays Toy Drive in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of America until Dec. 8. The donation bin is located at the Kohl’s at 1505 Springfield Drive during store hours. The toys will be delivered to underprivileged children in the community.
Angel Trees from the Salvation Army are already out. They are located at the Chico Marketplace, AMain Hobbies, Chico Sports Club, In Motion Fitness, Once upon a child, and Golden State Farm credit. Walmart will have one on Nov. 26. Seniors have been added this year in addition to kids. Gifts may be returned to 567 E. 16th St., Chico on Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All gifts will need to be returned by Dec. 3 at In Motion Fitness, Chico Sports Club, Once Upon A Child, Golden State Farm Credit, and Walmart.
On Dec. 4, there will be a pajama party with Santa as part of a Toys for Tots fundraiser. It will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and registration is required. Bring a new unwrapped toy in the $12 — $15 range to donate. Registration can be completed at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/pj-party-with-santatoys-for-tots-fundraiser-tickets-208740176487.
On Dec. 4, the 34th Annual Butte County Toy Run will take beginning at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Admission is one new toy or gift card per person. Sign-in starts at 9:30 a.m. Toy dropoff locations are at 1501 Mangrove Ave. in Chico and 14388 Dogtown Road in Magalia. Call 530-893-1918 for more details.
On Dec. 9, the Soroptimist International of Bidwell Rancho and the Chico Area Recreation and Park District are hosting a drive thru Santa project event. The event will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Community Park. There will be four pick up stations and a Santa Station to wave at Santa on the way out. Social distancing and masks will be required.
On Dec. 11, the Shriners Hospitals for Children is hosting a Share the Holidays fundraiser. This event will take place at Club Dorsia from 12 p.m. to close. This event will feature a giving tree for gift donations, a Pool tournament, and a silent auction.
Tree lightings
On Nov. 30, Enloe Medical Center will host its tree lighting ceremony. This will be a free and virtual event that can be viewed through Enloe’s Facebook page or YouTube channel.
On Dec. 3, the Community Christmas Tree Lighting is planned at 6 p.m. at City Plaza. The Downtown Chico Business Association and city will host the event.
A short music program will culminate in the arrival of Santa to light the Christmas tree in the City Plaza. The tree will feature more than 2,000 LED lights.
On Dec. 3, downtown Oroville will have a tree lighting ceremony from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in front of the Oroville Municipal Auditorium and Oroville Convention Center. There will be photo opportunities with Santa.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be shopping, carolers, and carriage rides. The carriage ride will be free for children three years old and under and $5 per person. At 7 p.m. the tree lighting and photos with Santa will take place.
Parades
On Dec. 4, the annual Truck Parade of Lights will take place at Thomas Ace Hardware, 542 Pearson Road. It will start at 6:30 p.m. It is also a canned food drive for nonperishable items, which can be dropped off at the hardware store, Smokers Paradise in Magalia or the check-in table for parade participants.
On Dec. 11, the 45th Annual Downtown Oroville Parade of Lights will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year’s theme is Christmas Around the World.
Performances
From Dec. 3-5, Chico Performances will host “A Very Chico Nutcracker” at the Laxson Auditorium. Tickets range from $17-$30 and can be purchased at https:// csuchicoboxoffice.secure. force.com/ticket/#/events/ a0S4P00000BsqloUAB.
From Dec. 3-5, the Stansbury Home Preservation Association will host its Annual Victorian Christmas. It will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 3 , from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 4 , and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets can be purchased at the door and will cost $6 for adults and $2 for kids. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased for $5 for adults and $1 for kids at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/stansburyhome-victorian-christmastickets-204769600387.
On Dec. 4, the Oroville Community Band and Concert will host “A Town Square Christmas” at 7 p.m. at the Historic Oroville State Theatre. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for high school students with ID, and free for junior high students with an adult.
From Dec. 10-12, Chico Performances will host “Believe inspired by Polar Express” at the Laxson Auditorium. Tickets range from $17-$30 and can be purchased at https:// csuchicoboxoffice.secure. force.com/ticket/#/events/ a0S4P00000BsqpCUAR.
On Dec. 11, the Yule Logs “Winter Wonderland Concert” will be at the Terry Ashe Recreation Center from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The concert is free to the public, but donations are accepted.
On Dec. 17, the Chico Performances will host “Nochebuena, Christmas Eve in Mexico” at 7:30 p.m. at Laxson Auditorium. Tickets range from $24-$42 and can be purchased at https://csuchicoboxoffice.secure.force.com/ ticket/#/instances/a0F4P00000PkS2mUAF.
On Dec. 17, the movie “Elf” will be playing at the Chico Marketplace starting at 6:30 p.m. located near Dick’s Sporting Goods.
From Dec. 17-19, the Northern California Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Paradise Performing Arts Center. Admission for general seating is $15 for adults and $12 for 16 years of age and under. For more information call 530990-1677.
Shopping
On. Nov 27, small business Saturday will take place as part of downtown Oroville’s 12th Annual Shop Small event. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will have a raffle. There will be one raffle ticket for every $20 spent. To get a raffle ticket, bring in receipts and a completed passport to the downtown Oroville booth to redeem raffle tickets. A tote bag full of downtown goodies will be raffled off and the winner will be announced on Nov. 29.
Dinners, parties, celebrations
On Dec. 1, The Native Sons of the Golden West Argonaut Parlor No. 8 will have their 2021 Christmas Dinner at Dunstone Hall, 4790 Foothill Blvd. at 5:30 p.m. The dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. and will cost $15. Kids 10 years old and younger are $5.
On Dec. 4, the Paradise Recreation and Park District will have a Countdown to Christmas event. This event features a holiday craft faire, community build-an-ornament, decorate the community Christmas tree, Santa’s arrival, lighted truck parade, and a live music performance by Katie Barrett from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at 6626 Skyway.
On Dec. 5, the Friends of the Parks and the city of Oroville will host a mistletoe party at the historic C.F. Lott Home. The event will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature holiday music, cookies and punch, special gifts and an opportunity to tour the decorated historical home. The home is located at 1067 Montgomery St.
On Dec. 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday in Paradise will take place at the Paradise Performing Arts. This is a holiday concert featuring the Paradise Community Chorus directed by Sam Gronseth and the Paradise Symphony Orchestra directed by Dr. Lloyd Roby. A number of Ridge and nearby organizations will also be participating including ballet, a visual offering, and an audience sing-along. Admission is $15 for adults and free for children 12 year of age and under.
On Dec. 18, the 6th Annual Christmas Party for Kids on the Ridge will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Paradise Veterans Memorial Hall. This event is for kids ages two to 12 years old and for kids in Paradise, Magalia, Stirling City, Inskip, and Concow. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance.
The Terry Ashe Recreation Center grounds, 6626 Skyway, have several decorated and lit trees and other decorations around the facility.
Remembrances
On Dec. 2, the 34th annual Evening of Remembrance is planned from 7 to 8 p.m. through Zoom. This is a free event to remember loved ones. Register through Enloe’s website https://www.enloe.org/community-health/classes-community-events.
On Dec. 7, the Ramsey Funeral Home and the Oroville Funeral Home will be hosting their 2021 Tree of Remembrance. The event will be at 7 p.m. located at 1175 Robinson St.
Lights of Hope
Starting Dec. 2, the Lights of Hope Christmas village, at 3556 Oro Bangor Highway, will be open to the public for an admission fee to help host Father’s House church Gift of Hope program for underprivileged children.
The Lights of Hope is open until Dec. 19. The venue includes ice skating, sledding, booths and fire pits for enjoying the nights.
The quarter-mile Christmas Light Walk is open after 5 p.m. and is free. Selfies with Santa will also be free. The sledding tickets are $12 per person for unlimited play.
The synthetic ice skating rink admission, which includes skate rentals, is $8 for 30 minutes. To reserve ice skating and sledding tickets or to reserve a private family booth visit https://lightsofhope.as.me/schedule.php.
Hours are Thursday and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. then Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Ice skating
Paradise on Ice Rink is open until Jan. 17, 2022. Their hours are Monday through Thursday 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Daily admission is $12 and includes skates. The ice rink is located at the Terry Ashe Recreation Center.
The Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza will be open until Jan. 9, 2022. General admission is $12 with a skate rental for adults. For children 12 years and younger, admission is $9 with a skate rental. Tickets can be purchased online at https://chicoice.simpletix. com.