The Christmas season has officially begun, and Merced County certainly is not the place for an Ebenezer Scrooge, as there is no shortage of local activities taking place.
In every corner of the Merced County region, from Dos Palos to downtown Merced, the yuletide spirt of the season is being celebrated in grand fashion.
The following is a list of some of the largest local Christmas events happening in Merced County and the region.
Atwater Candyland Christmas Parade
Presented by the Atwater 4th of July Committee, Atwater’s Annual Christmas Parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 along Broadway Avenue.
The event will include parade floats decorated under the “Candyland Christmas” theme, along with vendors, food and attractions for the entire family to enjoy.
For information or to file an application for a parade float visit www.atwater.org or contact the Atwater 4th of July Committee at (209) 355-4912 or email atwater4thofjuly@gmail.com.
Downtown Merced Christmas Parade + Mercado Market
The annual downtown Merced Christmas Parade is set to take place 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 on West Main Street.
Sponsored by Dignity Health, this year’s event is themed the “Holiday Hit Parade.”
Simultaneously during the parade, visitors can visit the Merced Holiday Mercado, where there will be gifts available for purchase along with food and treats. The Merced FOCUS will also have a booth at the Holiday Mercado, so be sure to stop by and say “hi.”
Also happening in downtown Merced the same day will be the Merced Firefighter’s “Not So Silent Night” celebration, Saturday, Dec. 6 from 1 pm. to 8 p.m. at the Tioga-Sequoia Merced Taproom, 1707 N St. in downtown Merced. The event will include beer, food trucks, local vendors, live music and Santa Claus.
There will be live performances by Rear View Mirror and Four Fifteen. Proceeds will benefit the Merced Firefighters’ Scholars Foundation and the Random Acts of Kindness Program.
Los Banos Christmas Parade of Lights
Sponsored by the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce, the Los Banos Christmas Parade of Lights is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Los Banos.
The event will include arts and crafts, choir singing, local school marching bands, food vendors and lighting of the Henry Miller Plaza Christmas Tree, according to the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce website.
For more information about the event call (209) 826-2495 or email lbcofc@comcast.net.
Christmas Open House at the Courthouse Museum
The Merced Courthouse Museum is hosting its 41st Annual Christmas Open House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
The event is free to the public, and the museum is located at 21st and N Streets in Merced.
This year, the museum is celebrating a special milestone, the 150th Anniversary of its recently renovated Courthouse, according to a news release from the museum.
Plus, a variety of activities are planned for the open house celebration. During the open house, participants can enjoy treats and traditional Courthouse eggnog
while listening to live performances starting at 1 p.m., the release said.
The historic building will be adorned with 95 beautifully decorated Christmas trees to recognize the occasion.
There will be music from featured groups including the Sandra Stocking’s Flute Group, Our Lady of Mercy School Christmas Choir, Sounds of the Valley Chorus, Merced Baroque Sinfonia, St. Paul School Choir and Bear Creek Ukulele Society.
The Christmas tree exhibit will be on display until Dec. 30. Also on display is the exhibit “Old Courthouse: 150 Years, 150 Stories.”
Teachers should note that the museum will be open for walk-through tours on weekday mornings throughout December, making it a great opportunity to bring your class.
For more information, call the Museum Office at (209) 723-2401.
Food Truck Friday at the Livingston Christmas Parade
This year the City of Livingston is combining two popular and festive events into one, combing Food Truck Friday with the Annual Christmas Parade.
The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 on Main Street in downtown Livingston. During the event, food trucks will line Main Street serving a variety of foods for the community to enjoy. Plus, the council chambers at city hall will be open for dining purposes.
Floats and participants for the parade will begin lining up at 6 p.m., with the procession kicking off at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact the Livingston Recreation Department.
La Posada en Merced
La Posada en Merced is scheduled to take place 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Radio Lobo parking lot, located at 514 W. 19th St. in Merced.
Enjoy a delicious cup of cafecito, a champurrado or other delights. The event, sponsored by Zocolo Health, Valley Onward, Merced County, and Lobo 98.7 will also include additional food, gifts for kids and raffles.
Families will also have an opportunity to learn about many valuable resources availble in Merced.
Dos Palos Christmas Parade
The city of Dos Palos is scheduled to hold its annual Christmas parade 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. The parade line-up will begin behind the DES Hall, located at 1357 Elgin Ave. in Dos Palos. The event will end at the Boy Scout Hut with the lighting of the Christmas tree. For more information contact the City of Dos Palos.
Lights of Hope 5K Holiday Run
The Lights of Hope 5K Santa Run is scheduled to take place Saturday Dec. 13 at the Merced College Stadium 76, located at Yosemite Avenue and G Street in Merced. All proceeds benefit Merced College for Kids and the Merced Cancer Society Foundation.
Check-in begins at 3:30 p.m. and the run is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
The $40 registration fee includes a santa suit. There will also be hot cocoa, food trucks and fun for the entire family.
Merced Civic Ballet to perform ‘The Nutcracker’ at Buhach Colony High
The Merced Civic Ballet, in collaboration with the Merced Academy of Dance, is set to present its 40th season of The Nutcracker.
Performances will take place at the Buhach Colony High School Theater, located at 1800 N. Buhach Road in Atwater.
Performances are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6, with showings at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $20, $25, or $30, depending on seating, and can be purchased online or at the box office one hour before each performance.
For several decades, this full-length classical ballet has been a cherished holiday tradition in Merced County, enchanting audiences with its timeless story and stunning performances.
In addition to the ballet, attendees can visit the Nutcracker Sweet Shop, offering handmade crafts, ornaments, baked goods, and silent auction baskets.
All proceeds from the Sweet Shop will benefit the MSSM Foundation, which annually awards ballet scholarships to talented dancers.