Waves of Christmas cheer begin this week with tree lightings, parades across Victor Valley

December has arrived, and cities and towns across the High Desert are gearing up for Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies, parades, and visits from Santa Claus.

The tidal wave of holiday cheer hits the Victor Valley when Adelanto and Hesperia host Christmas tree lighting celebrations.

Hesperia Tree Lighting

The city of Hesperia and the Hesperia Recreation and Park District will host the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 at Hesperia Civic Plaza Park, at 15833 Smoke Tree Street right behind the Hesperia Branch Library.

The festivities start with Christmas musical performances by youth choirs from various Hesperia Unified School District schools. There will be food and craft vendors, and 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. For vendor and general information, visit hesperiaparks.com.

Adelanto Tree Lighting

The city of Adelanto will host a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 1 at City Hall at 1600 Air Expressway Boulevard. The event will include music, refreshments, and a visit from Santa.

Barstow’s Harvey House

Barstow will host a Harvey House Christmas from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 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.

Winter Fest

Join Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at Hesperia High School’s Winter Fest from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2. There will be food vendors, crafts, gift wrapping, face painting, candy apples, and more.

Fill the Bus

The Victor Valley Transit Authority will host its annual “Stuff the Bus” event to benefit the Victor Valley Rescue Mission. Residents can make new, unwrapped toy drops from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3 or 4 at one of three High Desert area Walmart locations, including stores on Main Street in Hesperia, on Highway 18 in Apple Valley and Amargosa Road in Victorville.

The first 250 children, 10-years-old and under, who drop off a toy will get a present themselves to give to others. There will be 250 coloring/activity books at each location. Books are on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. One per child and only those who drop off a toy.

Phelan-Pinon Hills

The Phelan-Pinon Hills CSD Tree Lighting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Phelan Community Park at 4128 Warbler Road. There will be hot chocolate, candy canes, and a visit from Santa Claus. For more information, call 760-868-1212.

Toy Drive and Fishing Derby

Hosted by the Hesperia Recreation and Parks District, the Fishing Derby, Pancake Breakfast, and Spark of Love Toy Drive begins at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 3 at Hesperia Lake Park, 7500 Arrowhead Lake Road. Bring an unwrapped toy worth $10 or more to enter the derby. For more information, visit facebook.com/hesperialakepark.

Victorville Parade & Tree Lighting

The Kiwanis Club of Victorville will host the 75th Annual Victorville Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. on Dec. 3, with the theme “A Sparkling Holiday.”

Sponsored by Options for Youth, the diamond jubilee’s parade route begins at La Paz Drive and Seventh Street and travels down to Forrest Avenue in Old Town Victorville.

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 craft, and gift vendors. Also, carriage rides, Fun Zone, free hot cocoa and cookies, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Silver Lakes Parade

The Silver Lakes Association’s Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Dec. 3. The caravan will start at North Beach and travel along Silver Lakes Parkway to Lakeview Drive.

Apple Valley Fun Run & Tree Lighting

The Town of Apple Valley will host a 1K Santa Fun Run on Dec. 6, with check-in at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Park at 14999 Dale Evans Parkway. Registration deadline is Dec. 5 or until event capacity is reached. For more information and to register, visit applevalley.org. After the Santa Fun Run, the town will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. at Civic Center Park. The event will include holiday entertainment, goodies, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

Santa’s Workshop

Wrightwood Place will host “Santa’s Workshop” from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 7 at Wrightwood Place, 770 Highway 2. There will be treats, toys, gifts, crafts, music, face painting, and gift wrapping. There will also be a photo opportunity with Santa Claus. For more information, call 909-222-0976.

Santa visits the library

Santa Claus is coming to the Victorville City Library from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. Children up to age 12 are invited to visit Jolly St. Nick, so bring your camera and take photos. Visits are free, but registration is required. To register, visit the Victorville City Library at 15011 Circle Drive or call 760-245-4222 for more information.

Merry Christmas Party and Toy Drive

The High Desert Association of Realtors will host the “Merry Christmas Party and Toy Drive” from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 8. There will be music, refreshments, hot cider and desserts. Visitors are asked to bring an unwrapped toy worth $20 to benefit the Christmas Cops and Kids Project. To register, call 760-244-8841 or email Valerie@HDAOR.com

Snow Globe Craft

A Snow Globe Craft event is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Victorville City Library. Children up to 17 are invited to join and make decorations. For more information, call 760-245-4222.

Jolly Holiday Craft Fair

The Victorville Fire Department and Home Depot will host the Jolly Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street in Victorville. There will be local vendors and a craft area. Santa Claus will make an appearance from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. An antique fire truck will be on display from noon to 2 p.m. The event is free.

Santa’s Victorville Mailbox

Send your Christmas wish lists and letters to Santa through the North Pole Express Mailbox at Hook Community Center, 14973 Joshua Street in Victorville, through Dec. 9. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so Santa can respond.

Adelanto Parade

The City of Adelanto’s 16th Annual Christmas Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Dec. 10 at the corner of Seneca and Aster roads. The caravan will proceed east on Seneca Road and end at Bellflower Street and Desert Trails Preparatory Academy. For more information about both Adelanto events, call 760-246-2300 ext. 11124.

Holiday Tea

The Town of Apple Valley will host a Holiday Tea & Heritage Room Tour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Town Hall, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway. The last Town Council meeting of 2022 will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Gingerbread Build Contest

The Town of Apple Valley’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a Gingerbread Build Contest for all ages from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 14. at the recreation center at 14955 Dale Evans Parkway.

The town will supply a gingerbread house and small assortment of candy to decorate the house. Families are welcome to bring extra decorations, edible ones only. Each gingerbread kit is $16 for up to 4 people. Each additional person is $4 for a maximum of 6 people per kit.

Very Merry Christmas Party

The Rock’n Our Disabilities 7th Annual “Very Merry Christmas” party happens from noon until 3 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the SBC Fairgrounds in Victorville. Visitors will enjoy dinner, pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, and face painting. For more information, call 760-998-2241.

Toys & Ham Drive

Campeones Legales Marketing and Fuentez Events will host its inaugural “Toy & Ham Drive” on Dec. 17 at the Adelanto Stadium & Event Center, 12000 Stadium Road.

The event will include free hot dogs, vendors, family activities, food, grocery and toy giveaways. Pro boxers, local celebrities and a local fire department will also be there.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The toy drive starts at 11 a.m. Toys and hams can be donated at the event or dropped off at the stadium front office from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 16

'Flannels & Flapjacks'

Calico Ghost Town will host “Flannels & Flapjacks” with Santa on Dec. 17 at the historic site located at 36600 Ghost Town Road in Yermo. Packages at $60 admits four people into the park, flapjacks for four, shopping discounts at participating shops, and a printed photo with Santa Claus. Limited packages are available at Sbcountyparks.com.

Christmas Winter Wonderland

High Desert Second Chance will host its annual Christmas Winter Wonderland from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 19 at 16666 Smoke Tree Street in Hesperia. There will be free popcorn, hot dogs, music, photo booths and photo opportunities with Santa. Registered families will receive gifts and dinner boxes. For more information, call 442-267-4444 or visit facebook.com/highdesertsecondchanceorganization.

Kids Winter Wonderland

The city of Victorville presents a Kids Club Camp, “Winter Wonderland, from Dec. 19 to 23 and 26 to 30 at Hook Community Center, 14973 Joshua Street. The full half-day sessions for kids 5 to 12 will include games, sports, crafts, and holiday-themed activities. For times, prices, registration, and general information call 760-245-5551 or visit victorvilleca.gov/recreation.

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@VVVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Christmas holiday events begin this week in California's Victor Valley