‘Tis the season to be jolly. What makes the holidays so special in Temecula? Many things. First and foremost, while Temecula is a bustling city, we have an incredible sense of community that gives the feeling of a comfortable small town.
Everyone loves a lighted tree, and boy does Temecula have one for us. Our Community Christmas tree and tree lighting ceremony memorializes the occasion. December 1st is our 14th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 PM at the Temecula Duck Pond. Watch the lighting of our live Christmas tree, delight in singing some Christmas carols, visit with Santa, and enjoy refreshments. There’s something special about this evening when the lights on the tree are lit and the carols are sung. It brings you back to the days of wonderment and simpler times. It’s perfect beginning to the season.
Of course, the main Man of the season is Good Old Santa Claus. Santa arrives in style in our town and is celebrated and honored with an electric light parade that travels through the twinkling holiday lights of our historic Old Town. Close down the streets and make way for Jolly St. Nick……’cause he is coming! Our annual event is December 2nd at 7 PM and is a big highlight for our community as each parade entry is decorated and bedazzled with sparkling lights! A great sight to see for the young and old to enjoy.
The wonder and delight of the holidays is so much fun to see through the eyes of a child. One of Old Town Temecula’s best features for children is Pennypickle’s Workshop, our fabulous children’s museum. What better way to celebrate the season than to play in real snow, eat s’mores, and ride on an Old Town holiday train along with a visit with Santa. No child should miss out on this event December 16th at 5 PM.
Growing up on the East Coast, one my winter delights was to get out the skates and go ice skating on one of our frozen ponds. I can remember getting all bundled up, lacing up the skates, getting on the ice to skate, and feeling my fingers and feet start to freeze shortly thereafter. I couldn’t wait to get off the ice and defrost. Well here in warm and sunny southern California, we have the best possible scenario — skating on an ice rink in the center of our beautiful Town Square in Old Town Temecula. Opening on December 16th, our skating rink is the perfect opportunity to test out your abilities (or inabilities) on ice skates while enjoying the beautiful southern California weather.
Bringing it indoors for some classic entertainment, Temecula residents will be enjoying the stage version of A Christmas Carol. This Charles Dickens classic gets the “Broadway” treatment and will appear in our state-of-the-art Old Town Temecula Community Theater located in Old Town. A true classic.
We will be very busy here in Temecula attending all of these wonderful events, but the one thing special about Temecula is our great sense of concern and support of our community. Our residents do an amazing job at helping and donating to many causes and charities. Whether it’s Toys for Tots or our Community Pantry, Boys and Girls Club, non-profit groups and various concerns, you can always count on a wealth of support and participation from the community to meet the needs of everyone in our City.
Now for the big finale. New Year’s Eve, of course. This momentous evening at Town Square is the perfect event that ends a year and begins a new year all in one night! New Year’s Eve in Temecula is celebrated with the tradition of the Grape Drop Countdown! Live music, dancing, family entertainment, and the best part is if you can’t hang in there until midnight, you can celebrate the East Coast New Year at 9 PM and call it a night, or if you’ve got the willpower, party on until the West Coast New Year celebration at midnight. What a way to end 2011 and start 2012…..Temecula style!
