The official launch of Woodstock’s holiday season begins Friday evening when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrives to help light the lights in Museum Square.
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The festivities begin at 5:30 pm when Santa and spouse arrive at the downtown square for a family meet-and-greet and photos. Joining them for the celebration will be the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as Elsa and Anna from the movie, Frozen.
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Families can wander the square, enjoying free hot chocolate and cookies, while admiring the live ice-sculpture carving as a Christmas choir provides appropriate holiday entertainment.
At the nearby Woodstock Art Gallery, families can take part in a community collaborative project, the Winter Watercolor Artwork, and take home an art kit, though supplies are limited. The Woodstock Museum is hosting a Christmas scavenger hunt that encourages families to “Find the Elf.” Children can also write letters to Santa inside the museum’s educational room while families can book a time slot for the museum’s Christmas-themed escape room.
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The two-hour celebration, of course, culminates with the lighting of the dozens of beautiful festive displays in the square.
The festive weekend continues Saturday when the annual evening Santa Claus Parade begins at 6 pm
This year’s parade features the traditional favorites, including dozens of holiday-themed floats, marching bands and more. The grand finale is the return of Santa and Mrs Claus, who will greet the hundreds of Woodstock spectators before making their return to the North Pole.
To help local families in need, donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted along the route during the parade.
The Santa Claus parade begins at the Woodstock Fairgrounds property before heading south on McKenzie Avenue. The parade will then head west on Dundas Street and travel through the downtown before ending on Light Street.
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