The Christmas season has arrived and Orange County has a sleigh-full of holiday activities ahead. Music, Santa Claus, lighted trees, music and cookies will abound. Some of the events are free and some have small fees.
- West Orange tree lighting is Monday at 6 p.m. at Seale-Alford Plaza. Traditional activities include County Judge Carl Thibodeaux reading “The Cajun Night before Christmas.”
- Mauriceville tree lighting is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Woodridge Land Co. Santa will be there for the festivities that will include carol singing, hot chocolate and cookies.
- The KOGT and Granger food drive for Salvation Army and Orange Christian Services is Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. at Granger Chevrolet on MacArthur Drive. A drive-through allows donors to drop off non-perishable food items as they go to work. KOGT 1600 AM will have a live broadcast from the site. Donations may be left at the KOGT studios, 5304 Meeks Drive, weekdays from 8:30 to 5 p.m.
- Orange Service League Toy Coffee is Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual holiday home tour is a tradition in Orange to gather toys and money for the Salvation Army. This year visitors will see the residences of Katy and Mark Taylor, and Melanie and Michael Lafleur on the Liston Cut-Off Road in the Orangefield area. The road is off of FM 1442 north of FM 105 and south of Interstate 10. Admission is donation of a new, unwrapped toy or a money donation.
- The Orange Kiwanis Club has taken over the honor of sponsoring the annual Christmas parade through downtown Orange. The parade will be Friday, December 5, beginning at MacArthur Shopping Center at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Story Book Christmas.” First Presbyterian Church on Green Avenue will hold its annual community open house before and during the parade. The public is invited to tour the historic church and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and coffee.
- A Beary Merry Christmas Market will be held Saturday Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little Cypress Elementary School. The fun family fund-raiser is sponsored by the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Education Foundation. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children. Breakfast with Santa is from 9 to 10 a.m. for $2 with tickets sold only before the breakfast.
- The 38th annual Mauriceville Senior Citizen Supper will be Saturday Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Mauriceville Elementary cafeteria. All senior citizens age 55 and older who live in Mauriceville or have once lived in the town are invited to the free holiday meal.
- The Lutcher Theater presents Grammy winner country singer Kathy Mattea on Saturday Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the Christmas show title “Songs and the Season” are $35-$45.
- The 38th annual Mauriceville Senior Citizen Supper will be Saturday Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Mauriceville Elementary cafeteria. All senior citizens age 55 and older who live in Mauriceville or have once lived in the town are invited to the free holiday meal.
- Bridge City’s 6th annual lighted Christmas parade will be Saturday Dec. 6 beginning at 6 p.m.
- Heritage House Museum, 905 W. Division Street, will host its 37th annual Christmas with Santa the evenings of Wednesday Dec. 10 and Thursday Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Victorian Era house will be decorated for the season with Santa spending time listening to special requests from children. Santa Claus brings his collection of animated toys to share. Cookies and punch will be served. Admission is free. A small fee is charged for photographs with Santa.
- Shangri La night Christmas strolls through the decorated gardens will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Dec. 11-13, plus Dec. 18-20, and Dec. 26-27. Stark Cultural Venues members are free. Adult admission is $6 and children are admitted for $4. Half-prices will be charged for people bringing a non-perishable food item for local charities.
- Orangefield Christmas Festival will be Saturday, Dec. 13, at Jewel Cormier Park. The Cormier Museum will be open from 8 to 10 a.m. The community parade will start at 10:30 a.m. The festival with arts and crafts, food and entertainment will open at 11 a.m.
- Dreaming of a Green Christmas is Shangri La’s annual day of celebrating the season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Other activities include family ornament-making and a class on making a wreath (reservations are needed and a fee will be charged). Regular Shangri La admission is charged for the special day. Members have free admittance.
- Vidor’s Classic Christmas Cruise will be Dec. 13 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Capital One parking lot on North Main Street.
- The Stark House and Stark Museum of Art in downtown will be decorated for the holiday season and be open for regular hours. The art museum is featuring a display of the medieval hand-painted books of prayers. The books are on view only during holidays. Regular entry fees are charged with members admitted free
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