Rockwall to celebrate a Hometown Christmas

Nov. 25—The City of Rockwall will be celebrating a Hometown Christmas on Dec. 3.

All the events are at or centered in downtown and get underway at 9 a.m. with the Rockwall Kiwanis Christmas Parade, with the theme of "Happiness Is ..."

Registration, rules and route information is available at rockwallkiwanis.org.

Christmas festivities will be taking place throughout downtown starting at 10 a.m. There will be a Christmas Market in San Jacinto Plaza. Children's activities include bounce houses, games, crafts, giveaways, a snow play area, train rides and more. A full schedule it available at rockwall.com

Topping the day off will be the 39th Rockwall Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. on the lawn in front of Rockwall City Hall. There will be Christmas-themed crafts, hot chocolate and holiday cookies, along with live holiday music performed by the Steve Story Band and an appearance by Santa Claus. Additional information is available at playrockwall.com

The following is a list of Christmas events scheduled all across Rockwall County in the weeks ahead.

— The Royse City Christmas Tree Lighting and Concert will be on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. at Cookston Court, 111 E. Main Street and the Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree Parade of Lights is set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in downtown Royse City. Royse City First United Methodist Church Pastor Chris Emerson is serving as Grand Marshal, while Bonnie Hannon was selected as this year's Hometown Hero for the parade.

Entry categories for the parade include floats/truck or trailer, motorized vehicles, motorcycle/ATV, marching bands, dance/cheer groups and more. All parade entries must be lighted with Christmas themed lights and have some type of Christmas decorations and a Christmas theme.

Main Street Parking will close at 3:30 p.m. on the parade day.

All entries are due by Friday, Dec. 2 and additional information is available at www.roysecity.co.

— Royse City Fitness, 316 College Street, is hosting a Snow Party from noon until 5 p.m. on Dec. 3. The event is scheduled to include bounces houses, photos with Santa, the Grinch, Santa's elves, a hot cocoa bar, a snow machine and more. Those attending are being asked to provide a new, unwrapped gift for a child in need or a $5 to $10 donation, with 100% of the proceeds going to families in need in the community during the holiday season.

— The Fate Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2 at Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway. The night will feature pictures with Santa, cocoa and cookies, free In-N-Out burgers, live performances, kids activities, train rides, story time, a Yule Log, a light show and more. This year the city is partnering with Girl Scout Troop 7147 and Cub Scout Pack 896 for a canned food drive. Canned food can be dropped off at City Hall through Dec. 2.

— Christmas in Heath, A Hometown Tradition, is scheduled 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec, 3 at Towne Center Park in Heath. The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m. featuring the Rockwall Heath High School Jazz Band, followed by performances by the Amy Parks, Pullen and Linda Lyon Honor choirs throughout the evening. There will also be complementary cocoa, fresh-made donuts and homemade cookies baked and wrapped by National Charity League, Lakeside League boys team charity and First United Methodist Church Heath members, an array of food trucks, miniature train rides, children's activities, and of course, photos and candy canes with Santa Claus and two of his reindeers. The Christmas red and white trolley buses will provide free shuttles to and from Tom Thumb between 5-9 p.m. Additional information is available at www.heathtx.com.