With Thanksgiving over, organizations across the High Desert are preparing for Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, parades, visits from Santa Claus, and more.
The City of Adelanto will kick off its holiday festivities with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at City Hall, 1600 Air Expressway Blvd., on Nov. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Organizers say the event will include music, refreshments and a visit from Santa.
Harvey House Christmas – Barstow
Barstow will host a Harvey House Christmas at the historic venue at 685 N. First Ave. on Dec. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. The celebration includes live music, children’s activities, vendor stalls and a visit from Santa and his elves. For vendor information, call the Barstow Chamber of Commerce at 760-256-8617. For general information, call Cora Harper Center at 760-256-5617.
Victorville Parade/Tree Lighting
The Victorville Kiwanis Club will host its 76th annual Children’s Christmas Parade on Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. This year’s parade theme is “Christmas on Route 66.”
Sponsored by Options for Youth, the parade route along Seventh Street begins at La Paz Drive and heads north to Forest Avenue in Old Town Victorville.
The Kiwanis Club is recruiting parade participants. For more information, visit the 2023 Victorville Christmas Parade page on eventbrite.com.
Following the parade, the City of Victorville will hold its annual Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting at City Hall, 14343 Civic Drive, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Last year’s event included food, holiday crafts, gift vendors, carriage rides, a visit from Santa Claus, and more.
City authorities are recruiting vendors. If you are interested, please call 760-245-5551 or visit VictorvilleCA.gov/Recreation.
Tree lighting in Lucerne Valley
The Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting event at Lucerne Valley Self Storage, 31420 Highway 18, on Dec. 2 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The event will include the Strawberry Hill tree lighting, giveaways, vendors, activities, hot chocolate, coffee, mulled cider, candy canes and selfie stations. Children can also deliver letters to Santa.
For more information or to find a vendor, call 760–223–7164.
Apple Valley tree lighting
The City of Apple Valley will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Civic Center Park, 14999 Dale Evans Parkway.
The event will feature live performances by high school students and a Nutcracker performance by A Dancers Pointe. Traditionally, there were also sweets and a visit from Santa Claus.
hesperia tree lighting
The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is hosted by the City of Hesperia and the Hesperia Recreation and Park District.
The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Hesperia Civic Plaza Park, located at 15833 Smoke Tree Street, just behind the Hesperia Branch Library.
Traditionally, the festival begins with performances of Christmas music by youth choirs from various schools in the Hesperia Unified School District. There will also be food and craft sales, and a place where children can visit and deliver letters to Santa Claus.
Visitors are encouraged to donate new or unwrapped gifts to the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
For vendor and general information, visit hesperiaparks.com.
Adelanto parade
Adelanto’s 17th Annual Christmas Parade begins at noon on Dec. 10 at the Adelanto Event Center, 12000 Stadium Way.
The event will include Christmas carols, music, refreshments and more. For more information, call 760-246-2300 ext. 11124.
More events may be added as information becomes available.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz can be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.