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Let the holiday magic begin

Photo

Both children and adults delighted in the sights and sounds of the season at Delavan Tree Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 23. The event included storytelling, a Christmas pony, hot chocolate and cookies, and, of course, Santa arriving by fire truck.

Santa Claus came to Delavan by fire truck last Fri., Nov. 23, for the city's tree lighting ceremony, and stayed to spread a little holiday cheer. Heather Noel Nelson photo.

Colorful characters were part of last year's Lake Geneva Festival of Lights last year. This year's event runs Sat., Dec. 1 and Sun., Dec. 2. Terry Mayer photo.

Santa's social calendar fills up fast this time of year. He arrived by fire truck in Delavan last Friday for the city's Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and today he'll be lighting Elkhorn's tree before joining in a reception and festivities at library. Tomorrow he'll be lighting a tree at the Riviera in Lake Geneva, then take a train to celebrate the season at the East Troy Electric Railroad and pose for photos in Mukwonago. There's a sneaking suspicion he'll be part of the parades in Whitewater and Lake Geneva, too.

Check out holiday events today and this weekend:

Today, Fri., Nov. 30

Whitewater's lighted holiday parade, beginning at 6 p.m. today at Whitten Street and continuing east on Main Street, turning right on Whitewater Street and ending at Cravath Lake Park, downtown Whitewater. (262) 473-2200.

Lake Geneva's Festival of Lights runs today through Sat., Dec. 1. Today at 6 p.m., it’s story time at Caribou Coffee, 833 E. Main St., where children of all ages can listen to a classic Christmas story. Than join in the tree lighting ceremony with Santa at the Riviera, 626 Geneva St. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy various musical performances as artists stroll through the downtown business area. Santa and the live reindeer will also be available for pictures in front of Starbucks Coffee, corner of Center and Main Street. (262) 248-4416, www.lakegenevawi.com.

Elkhorn's Christmas tree lighting and Santa reception takes place today from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on the square, with Santa arriving to light the tree, then head over to the Matheson Memorial Library, 101 N. Wisconsin St. for the Santa and Mrs. Claus reception, with crafts, cookies and hot chocolate, downtown Elkhorn. (262) 723- 5788, www.elkhorn-wi.org.

Saturday, Dec. 1:

Milton United Methodist Women hold cookie walk, from 8 a.m. until cookies are gone, Milton United Methodist Church, 241 Northside Dr., Milton.

19th annual Holiday Cookie Sale from 10 a.m. to noon, First Congregational Church, 76 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn.

Create beautiful winter containers at 10:30 a.m. with Sharilyn Smage of Northwind Perennial Farm, 7047 Hospital Road, Burlington. (262) 248-8229, www.northwindperennialfarm.com

Christmas Express Santa Train, Saturday and Sunday, with departures from the Elegant Farmer at 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Ride the rails with Santa, at The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago. (262) 363-6774, www.elegantfarmer.com or at the East Troy Railroad Museum, 2002 Church St., East Troy, (262) 642-3263, www.easttroyrr.org

Victorian Christmas Party from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Geneva Lake Museum, 255 Mill St., Lake Geneva. Free to all to view the trees, eat cookies, listen to stories, sing songs and take a chance on a raffle. (262) 248-6060, www.genevalakemuseum.org

31st annual Christmas Card Town Parade beginning at 1:30 p.m., downtown Elkhorn, with novelty acts, floats, mascots and community groups. (262) 7223-5788.

Join in the 40th anniversary celebration of the Santa Train with Santa arriving in East Troy by train. The train will leave Indianhead Park in Mukwonago at 4 p.m. to arrive on the Village Square at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at (262) 642-3770.

Midnight Magic: All Aboard for an Electric Christmas old fashioned Christmas celebration, Dec. 1, in Mukwonago with historic trolley rides, pictures with Santa, craft marketplace, horse-drawn carriage ride. Parade at 3 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. (262) 363-7758.

Lake Geneva’s 37th annual Great Electric Children’s Christmas Parade, beginning at 5 p.m. A holiday tradition with local businesses and organizations lighting up the street. Be sure to stroll through town following the parade for holiday shopping and dining specials. (262) 248-4416, www.lakegenevawi.com

Palmyra’s Lioness Christmas Parade beginning at 5 p.m. Chili sale, free hot cocoa, cookies and coffee offered by the Palmyra Lioness Club, on Main Street in Palmyra. (262) 495-2503

Gala Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m., featuring the UW-Whitewater music department, Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Tickets: (262) 472-2222, www.uww.edu/youngauditorium.

A Day in Time Craft Show and Festival of Trees Fundraiser, with Santa visits, and kids corner, A Day in Time, inside Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1229 Park Row, Lake Geneva. (262) 248-2922

Chamber Holly Days and Open House, Saturday and Sunday, downtown Whitewater. (262) 473-4005.

Sunday, Dec. 2: 

Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Frontier Restaurant, Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. Reservations at (262) 728-7950

Christmas Open House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Agape House, 215 S. Main St., Walworth. Guests can find out about the services provided to girls and young women and enjoy musical entertainment, refreshments and treats. The residents also have made homemade goods which are available for sale. (262) 275-6466

Gingerbread House workshop at 3 p.m., Whitewater Country Club. Limit of three builders per house. Children under age 12 welcome with assistance from an adult. Reservations required: Call The SweetSpot, (262) 473-5080.

Christmas Band Concert Concert at 7 pm. at the Palmyra United Methodist Church, - 122 N. Fifth St., Palmyra. (262) 495-4406.

Holly Days Open House, throughout Whitewater. Savings certificates handed out to shoppers.