There’s plenty to do this holiday season in Manteca, Ripon, and Lathrop.



TREE LIGHTING IN MANTECA

The Manteca Senior Advisory Committee and Manteca Parks and Recreation Department will host the annual Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 29. This popular family activity will begin at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Manteca City Council Chambers, 1001 W. Center St., for the lighting of the “official” city holiday tree. Everyone is then invited over to the Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane, where the free festivities will continue with a community sing-along and a variety of entertainment. Santa will be there to give each child a gift, and the evening will conclude with cookies and hot.



TREE LIGHTING IN RIPON

Ripon Chamber of Commerce and the City of Ripon will present the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Monday, Nov. 26, at Mavis Stouffer Park, 960 Stouffer St. at 7 p.m.  Barnwood Restaurant & Catering will supply their homemade cookies and hot chocolate. The Ripon High school Advanced Choir and Concert Choir will sing Christmas Carols starting at 6:45 p.m.



CHRISTMAS PARADE DOWNTOWN MANTECA

The 40th edition of the Manteca twilight Christmas parade takes place Saturday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. The route is along Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Manteca High in downtown Manteca. The theme this year is “Away in a Manger.” For more details for the Manteca Chamber of Commerce sponsored event call 823-6121.



CHRISTMAS TREES MHS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS

The Manteca High Athletic Boosters is hosting a Christmas Tree fundraiser for the MHS swim, tennis and basketball teams.  Trees will be available for pickup in the MHS front parking lot on Saturday, Dec.1, from 8 a.m. to noon.  Pre-orders are encouraged.  For additional information or to preorder a tree call Dave at 858-7349 or Kathy at 858-0832.



EGGSTRAVAGNZA ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

The St. Vincent De Paul Society presents Christmas Omelet Eggstravaganza, Sunday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m. to noon at St. Anthony’s gymnasium. The cost is $8 for adults $8 while children (10 and under) are $4. During the past 10 months the society has assisted with food and clothing for 6,809 families, 12,004 adults, and 8,942 children. All proceeds are used for the needy in the community. For tickets call Ann Bagnasco at 823-7330, Carl Joaquin at 823-5985 or can be purchased at the door.



TASTE OF RIPON WINE STROLL

The 17th Annual Taste of Ripon sponsored by members of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce is Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. This event offers full-scale professional food, beer, and wine tasting.  A commemorative glass provided by McManis Family Vineyards is included in the price of the ticket.  Tickets, at $25 per person, are on sale now at the Ripon Chamber of Commerce office, 929 West Main Street.  One must be 21 year of age and older to attend.  Call (209) 599-7519 for more information.



CHRISTMAS BALLET SONDANCE

The 8th annual ballet production of “A Christmas to Remember” will be presented by SONdance Dance School of Manteca. The two performances will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Ripon Christian School on Dec. 7-8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $8 in advance, or $10 at the door. For more information go to www.SONdance.org or call 823-1740



SANTA BREAKFAST IN LATHROP

Breakfast and pictures with Santa takes place on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1noon at the Lathrop Senior Center. Presale breakfast and pictures will be given priority. Several breakfast options are available. Photos with Santa are $5. Contact the Lathrop Parks & Recreation Department at (209) 941-7370.



TREE LIGHTING IN LATHROP

 A Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Manuel Valverde Park Amphitheatre (outside this year) Lathrop Elementary School and the Lathrop Area Music Program Choirs will perform holiday music, refreshments will be served and Santa will visit the children.



HOLIDAY PARADE IN LATHROP

 The Lathrop Holiday parade is Saturday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. on Fifth Street in Lathrop. Theme of the 2012 parade is “Holidays Around the World.” The parade entry fee is $20. For a parade entry application, please visit the city’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us or call Maureen Lorio at 941-7383.



HOLIDAY AFFAIR SOROPTIMNIST

 The 33rd annual Manteca Soroptimists Holiday Affair is on Wednesday, Dec, 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The $75 ticket gets the holder and a guest get a chance for cash gifts and prizes, but it allows them to enjoy a complimentary cocktails and hors d’ouevres reception at the Bank of Stockton, 660 N. Main Street . Tickets to the Holiday Affair are available at Tipton’s Stationery & Gifts, 169 W. Yosemite, 823-7644. You may also call Soroptimist members Judy Vasquez at 823-6644, Julie Azevedo at 239-1195 or any other Soroptimist member.



HOLIDAY BOUTIQUES

• DANCE STARS: A holiday boutique today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1240 Dupont Court a half mile south of Target on Spreckels Avenue benefits the Dance and Cheer Stars teams plus Give Every Child a Chance. The Oakland Raiderettes will be there selling calendars. For more information call 456-7373.

• LATHROP SENIOR CENTER: A holiday boutique plus lunch takes place Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lathrop Senior Center. Vendor space information is available by calling 941-7380.

• MRPS: The annual Holiday Boutique at the Manteca-Ripon Pentecost Society Hall is Nov. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The MRPS Hall is located at 133 N. Grant St. For more information, call 209-239-4222 or 209-679-0316.