By Oregon Coast TODAY
Christmas lights are one of the season’s greatest gifts, whether on a cozy conifer in a corner, on a towering community tree or dancing on the side of a hill in ever-changing shapes. Here’s a roundup of some civic holiday events beginning the day after Thanksgiving.
Lincoln City Cultural Center party
This fun and festive annual event will kick off at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 with the popular Make-n-Take Ornament workshop in the Maker’s Place at the Lincoln City Cultural Center.
The Sweet Adelines perform at 4:30 p.m., followed by the tree lighting countdown at 5 p.m. Santa is scheduled to arrive right after the tree is illuminated at roughly 5:15 p.m., and will stay until every wish is heard. Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be available after 4:30 p.m.
This year’s community tree was donated, transported and installed by Weyerhaeuser and decorated by the cultural center’s Krista Eddy along with staff, volunteers and members of the community. Weather permitting, the tree will be illuminated every evening through December.
Toledo parade and lighting ceremony
Rain can sometimes kill the vibe at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, but in Toledo it only adds to the fun. The town’s popular Umbrella Parade kicks off an evening of fun Saturday, Nov. 30, followed by a tree lighting ceremony and a community Christmas party.
The Umbrella Parade goes from top of Main Street to the plaza in front of Cobblestone Pizza, where the huge tree is sitting.
After the tree-lighting, everyone is invited to the Toledo Elks Lodge for the community Christmas party. Santa will be there, along with holiday face painting, cookies, hot cocoa and Christmas carols sung by the Sweet Adelines. There will be plenty of holiday crafts for the kids, too.
Main Street will be closed for the event starting at 3 p.m. to ensure space for the parade, which will begin at 5:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome to bring a decorated umbrella and participate. People who want to be part of the umbrella decorating contest must be registered by 5 p.m., when the judging will begin.
Depoe Bay Christmas light show
A 20-foot tree with 3,200 lights stands as the centerpiece of this neighborhood show opening Sunday, Nov. 30.
Now in its fourth official season, the show will light the night with more than 38,000 individually controlled LED lights synchronized to holiday music. What began as a personal holiday project and hobby for Bill Masella has grown into a beloved seasonal tradition. Each year, the show continues to evolve, offering an even more spectacular light display. Highlights of the displays include two eight-foot-long Orcas, whale tails, starfish and an Angel Wing selfie station, where you can press a button on the kiosk to change the color of the wings.
The display is at 354 S.W. Coast Ave. and runs 4:30-9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 4:40-10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through the holidays. Weather permitting on Friday and Saturday, coffee or hot chocolate and candy canes will be served from 5:30 pm while supplies last. For more information, go here.
Newport tree lighting
The city of Newport will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, on the front lawn of City Hall. After the tree lighting, a brief reception will be held inside City Hall featuring hot chocolate, cider and cookies.
This year’s city tree is a 25-foot-tall noble fir that was donated by Starker Forests. Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan and city manager Nina Vetter will assist with the tree lighting, which will feature for the first time a lighted three-foot crab as the tree topper, created by Newport Signs in partnership with the Newport Chamber of Commerce.
The Oregon Coast Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines will add their special brand of cheer through song.
Yachats Winter Fair and tree lighting
The city’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony is 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the C&K Plaza, but the event is sandwiched in downtown events beginning Friday, Dec. 6 with the Yachats Chamber of Commerce’s first Winter Fair from noon to 8 p.m. Friday in the Yachats Commons and a variety of events around town. Go here for more information.
Waldport tree lighting
Enjoy Waldport history as the holiday season ramps up at the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Before and after the tree lighting, which will take place outside of the building after sunset, enjoy hot cocoa, snacks and holiday shopping inside. For more information, go here.
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