High Desert holiday calendar includes Christmas tree lighting events, parades and Santa
Organizations across the High Desert have scheduled Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, parades and visits with Santa Claus.
The City of Adelanto kicked off the holiday festivities from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 30, with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall, 1600 Air Expressway Boulevard. The event included music, refreshments, and a visit from Santa, organizers said.
Harvey House Christmas - Barstow
Barstow will host a Harvey House Christmas from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 at the historic venue at 685 N. First Ave. The celebration will include live music, children’s activities, vendors, and a visit from Santa and his elves. For vendor information, call the Barstow Chamber at 760-256-8617. For general information, call the Cora Harper Center at 760-256-5617.
Hesperia High’s Winter Fest
Hesperia High School’s Winter Fest is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 at the campus at 9898 Maple Avenue. There will be crafts, games, a train ride, pictures with Santa and other surprises. There will be food and drinks to purchase.
CHiPs4 Kids Christmas Party
Tom and Carol Schibusch’s 14th Annual CHiPs 4Kids Christmas Party is scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m on Friday, Dec. 1 at Gator’s, 21041 Bear Valley Road in Apple Valley. Donate an unwrapped toy and meet the stars of the TV series CHiPs Robert Pine and Larry Wilcox.
Farmers Market Christmas Party
High Desert Farmers Market will host a Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Carpino’s Christmas Tree lot at 13220 Main Street in Hesperia. The lot will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with most of the activities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live music, food trucks, a holiday boutique, pony rides, a kids corner, a toy giveaway and an appearance by Santa and the Grinch.
Victorville parade/tree lighting
The Victorville Kiwanis Club will host the 76th Annual Children’s Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. on Dec. 2. 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 travels north to Forrest Avenue in Old Town Victorville.
The Kiwanis Club is seeking parade participants. For more information, visit the 2023 Victorville Christmas Parade page at eventbrite.com.
Following the parade, the city of Victorville will host its annual Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting from 4 to 7 p.m. at City Hall, at 14343 Civic Drive.
Last year’s event included food, holiday crafts, gift vendors, carriage rides, and a visit from Santa Claus.
City officials are seeking vendors. If interested, call 760-245-5551 or visit VictorvilleCA.gov/Recreation.
Lucerne Valley tree lighting
The Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting event from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Lucerne Valley Self Storage at 31420 Highway 18.
The event will include lighting the tree on Strawberry Hill, giveaways, vendors, activities, hot chocolate, coffee, hot cider, candy canes and a selfie station. Kids can also drop off letters to Santa.
For more information or to be a vendor, call 760–223–7164.
Fill the Ambulance
The Victorville Fire Department and American Medical Response’s “Fill The Ambulance” toy drive will help the Victor Valley Rescue Mission. New and unwrapped toys, clothes and teen gifts can be donated from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at Panera Bread at 11838 Amargosa Road in Victorville. Gifts can also be dropped off at fire stations or Victorville City Hall at 14343 Civic Drive.
Apple Valley tree lighting
The Town of Apple Valley will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Civic Center Park at 14999 Dale Evans Parkway.
The event will include live performances by high school students and the Nutcracker by A Dancers Pointe. Traditionally, there have also been goodies and a visit by Santa Claus.
Hesperia tree lighting
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be hosted by the city of Hesperia and the Hesperia Recreation and Park District.
The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Hesperia Civic Plaza Park, at 15833 Smoke Tree Street right behind the Hesperia Branch Library.
Traditionally, the festivities have started with Christmas musical performances by youth choirs from various Hesperia Unified School District schools. Also, food and craft vendors, and a location where children can visit and deliver letters to Santa Claus.
Visitors are encouraged to donate a new/unwrapped gift to the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Pirates’ Toy Drive
Pirates of the High Desert will host a Christmas Toy Drive at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Whisky Barrel, 12055 Mariposa Road in Hesperia. New unwrapped toys will be collected for the rescue mission. Former NFL player Michael Fitzgerald Alexander, who played for the Los Angeles Raiders and Buffalo Bills, will be available for photos and to sign autographs for a small fee. Pirate Claus will also make an appearance.
Adelanto parade
Adelanto’s 17th Annual Christmas Parade will begin at noon on Dec. 10 at the Adelanto Event Center, 12000 Stadium Way. The event will include Christmas carolers, music and refreshments. 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 may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Holiday calendar includes Christmas tree lighting events, parades
