Christmas tree lighting and winter holiday events aplenty in the High Desert
As the Holiday Season arrives, a number of organizations and nonprofits in the High Desert have scheduled Christmas and winter-themed events such as tree lightings, toy giveaways and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.
Kicking off the holiday season is the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by the City of Hesperia and the Hesperia Recreation and Park District.
The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2. at Hesperia Civic Plaza Park located at 15833 Smoke Tree Street right behind the Hesperia Branch Library.
The event will include musical entertainment, refreshments, vendors and a visit from Santa Claus. A mailbox for letters to Santa will also be available. Visitors are encouraged to bring a new/unwrapped gift for ABC7's Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Christmas Parade - Victorville
Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Victorville, the “74th annual Victorville Christmas Parade” will honor “Healthcare Heroes” and will include a visit from Santa Claus, marching bands, floats, vintage cars, animals, emergency response vehicles and more.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. Sat. Dec. 4, with the official parade route starting at La Paz Drive and Seventh Street and heading north on Seventh Street toward Forrest Avenue in downtown Victorville.
"We'd like to encourage everyone from our High Desert to come out and join us,” said Kiwanis Club President Eric Camarena. “The parade is such a fun event, and with the City of Victorville Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony later in the day, it's a great opportunity for the community to come together, be festive, and spread some Christmas Joy.”
Festival of Lights - Victorville
The City of Victorville’s annual Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting” is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at City Hall located at 14343 Civic Drive. The event will include food, vendors, carriage rides, Fun Zone, free hot cocoa and cookies, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Harvey House - Barstow
The City of Barstow will host a special Harvey House Christmas from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3. The event will include live music, holiday vendors, children’s activities and a visit from Santa and his elves. For more information, call 760-256-5617.
Tree Lighting and Santa Fun Run - Apple Valley
The Town of Apple Valley will host its annual "Christmas Tree Lighting" and "Santa Fun Run" event from 5 to7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Civic Center Park and Town Hall located at 14955 Dale Evans Parkway. The event will feature resource information, giveaways, live entertainment, ornaments, hot chocolate and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.
The run begins at 5 p.m. followed an hour later by the tree lighting. To register for the run, visit www.AVRecreation.org or call the Recreation Department at 760-240-7880.
Craft Fair - Victorville
The San Bernardino County Fairgrounds will host a “Jolly Holiday Craft Fair” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. The event will include train rides, a kid's craft area, vendors and an appearance from Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The SBC Fairgrounds is located at 14800 Seventh Street in Victorville.
Winter Camp - Victorville
The City of Victorville will host its “Winter Wonderland” day camp at Hook Community Park. The camp, designed for ages 5 to 12, will include games, sports, crafts and seasonally themed activities. Camp sessions are scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20 to 22 and also Dec. 27 to 29. The cost is $85 per session. To register, visit www.VictorvilleCA.gov/Recreation.
Outreaches/Fundraisers
Santa for Seniors- Victor Valley
The Victor Valley Community Services Council will spread holiday cheer to local seniors during its annual “Santa for Seniors” event on Dec. 16. The Victorville-based nonprofit is registering seniors for the event, and accepting raffle prizes, stocking stuffers and volunteers to play Santa Claus. For more information, call 760-243-9646.
Toy Drive and free burgers - Victorville
Apollo Burgers Restaurant, Linebreakers and Pastrami Nation are hosting a "Christmas Giveaway Toy Drive" now through Dec. 12. Anyone who donates a new/unwrapped toy at the restaurant will receive a coupon for a free burger. Apollo Burgers is located at 14950 Seventh Street in Victorville.
CHiPs4KIDS - Apple Valley
Visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the 12th annual “CHiPs4KIDS High Desert Toy Drive” scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3 at Gators Sports Bar, located at 21041 Bear Valley Road in Apple Valley. The event will include appearances from actors Robert Pine, Larry Wilcox and Paul Linke, who all appeared in the NBC TV series CHiPs.
Stuff the VVTA Bus - High Desert
The Victor Valley Transit Authority is asking community members to help “Stuff the VVTA Bus” with new and unwrapped toys for children. Buses will accept toys from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 5 at five High Desert Walmarts. The first 200 children who drop off a toy will receive a free VVTA coloring book.The toys will be distributed by the Victor Valley Rescue Mission.
Walmart locations include 12234 Palmdale Road and 11896 Amargosa Road both located in Victorville. Also, 13401 Main Street in Hesperia, 20251 Highway 18 in Apple Valley and 301 Montara Road in Barstow.
Angel Tree - Tri-Community
The Phelan Chamber of Commerce’s Angel Tree program will help provide tri-community children in need with new Christmas toys and clothing. The trees are decorated with paper angels with the first name, age and gender of each child in need. Donors remove one or more angels from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for each child. Through Dec. 11, the trees will stationed at various locations in the Tri-Community such as Desert Community Bank in Phelan/Wrightwood, Coldwell Banker, Pizza Factory, Mama Maria’s, Mills Hardware, Rick’s Roadside Cafe and the Phelan Pinon Hills CSD. Gifts must be returned to any angel tree by Dec. 11. Santa will present gifts to families on Dec. 18. For more information, please call 760-835-9006 or email kathy.hoffman@cbhomesource.com
Help the Homeless - Victorville
The 3rd annual “Help the Homeless Event” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Eva Dell Park located at 15714 First Street in Victorville. The event will include free food, haircuts, clothing, sleeping bags and blankets. Santa Claus and the Grinch are scheduled to make an appearance. Several food trucks will also be on site. The event is hosted by Made from Mercy, Niche of Inspiration, DJ Juwelz and #FoodAlbum.
Victor Valley Rescue Mission - Victorville
Hosted by the Victor Valley Rescue Mission, the “Great Christmas Toy Giveaway Drive-Thru” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m Dec. 16 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds located at 14800 Seventh Street in Victorville.
The toy and food giveaway is for pre-registered residents of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Helendale, Oro Grande, Silver Lakes and Victorville. For registration information, visit www.eventbrite.com or www.facebook.com/VVRescueMission.
High Desert Second Chance - Hesperia
The High Desert Second Chance “6th Annual Bless A Family” Christmas Event” is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at the nonprofit’s warehouse located at 16666 Smoke Tree Street in Hesperia. Drivers are requested to line up on Chestnut Street.
The gift and food giveaway event is for pre-registered residents of Hesperia, Lucerne Valley, Oak Hills, Phelan and Pinon Hills. For registration information, visit www.facebook.com/HighDesertSecondChanceOrganization.
Check with all event organizers for limitations on giveaways and possible COVID-19 health and safety protocols at the above events.
The list of events may be updated. Please check back.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Instagram @RenegadeReporter and Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Christmas tree lighting, parades and more in Victorville, Apple Valley
