Tree lightings, concerts, a fun run where participants are encouraged to dress like Santa, a parade, and even a snow hill at Library Park are  part of the Christmas season in Manteca that officially gets underway next Thursday when the switch is thrown for the City’s Christmas tree.
The tree lighting is part of the Christmas at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St., and celebration taking place Thursday, Nov. 30. It is being hosted by the City of Manteca and Mayor Steve DeBrum and Veronica DeBrum.
It starts at 6:30 p.m. with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. Children are encouraged to bring their own handmade ornaments to hang on the tree. There will also be music and entertainment.
Then after that at 7 p.m., the celebration shifts to the Manteca Senior Center. The free event includes activities, children’s games, face painting, craft stations, story time, entertainment, music cookies, hot chocolate and photos with Santa.
This year due to last year’s large crowd there will be a large tent to house some of the activities.

Hospice tree lighting
set for Wednesday
Ceremonies turning on the Hospice of San Joaquin’s Tree of Lights take place Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. at Doctors Hospital of Manteca, at the corner of North Street and Cottage Avenue.
Hospice is asking the community to “Light Up a Light, Light Up a Life” by dedicating a light to remember or honor a loved one in this year’s Tree of Lights by donating to the Hospice of San Joaquin. The colors of the lights are associated with the family donation: $5 is red, $10 is green, $25 is blue, $50 is white, $100 is yellow, $250 is purple, $500 is orange and a $1,000 donation is for the treetop.
Light donations can be made online at www.hospicesj.org.

Christmas at
Christmas in the Park
The two-day Christmas in the Park sponsored by the city and chamber is Friday, Dec. 1, from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Library Park in downtown Manteca.
Both days will feature craft and food vendors, carolers and live music, a Christmas décor competition, children’s activities, and “reindeer” rides.
On Friday, Dec. 1, there will be an outdoor showing of the classic “A Christmas Story” at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, there will also be a snow hill to frolic on as well as an appearance by Disney princesses.
Vendor booths are $75 for non-profit, $100 for homemade crafts, and $125 for commercial.  
Food booths are $ $250.
Fees for the decorating contest are $20 for commercial tree or scene, $15 for non-profit tree or scene, and $10 for a family tree.
Application forms for the booths and decoration contest can be found at manteca.org.

Santa’s Fun Run
A 5 kilometer Santa Run on Saturday, Dec. 2, has been added to the downtown Christmas holiday festivities as a fundraiser for the City of Manteca’s centennial celebration next year.
Those registering by Monday, Nov. 20, will receive a collectible Santa T-shirt featuring Manteca’s centennial logo. The entry fee is $20. Advance registration takes place at the Parks & Rec office, 252 Magnolia Ave.
Participants are encouraged to wear Christmas attire.
Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. at Library Park. The run begins at 7 a.m.
For questions, call 456.8600 or 823.6121.
Holiday parade Dec. 2
The 45th annual Manteca Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade takes place Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m.
It starts at Library Park and heads east down Yosemite Avenue to Garfield Avenue on the east side of Manteca High.
This year’s theme is “Christmas Movie.”
For additional information contact the chamber at 823-6121.

Presbyterian Church
Breakfast with Santa
 The annual Manteca Presbyterian Church Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus takes place Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the church’s fellowship hall, 275 North Main St.
 The cost is $5 per adult, $3 for a child 6 to adult and free for those under 6. Tickets will be on sale at the door. Pictures with Santa and crafts for sale will be available as well.

Calvary Tree of
Lights on Sunday
The annual Calvary’s Tree of Lights event featuring a 60-foot Christmas tree takes place Sunday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony around 6 p.m. at Calvary Community Church, 815 W. Lathrop Road, Manteca.
The free event features hayrides, face painting, henna tattoos, carnival games and more.

Relay for Life
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 9
The Manteca-Ripon-Lathrop Relay for Life is conducting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Manteca Applebee’s, 1272 E. Yosemite Ave.
The cost is $5 per person.  Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For tickets, please contact Donna at (408) 623-3384.

Manteca Recreation
Breakfast with Santa
The annual Manteca Parks & Recreation Breakfast with Santa is Saturday, Dec. 9, at 9 a.m. at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane.
The event includes breakfast, photos with Santa, and a small gift from Santa as well as craft activities.
The event is designed for children `10 and under
Tickets are $7 and must be purchased in advance at the senior center. The event typically sells out.

Holiday Affair
on Dec. 13
Tickets are still available for the biggest holiday party in Manteca – the 38th annual Manteca Soroptimists Holiday Affair.
The $75 ticket gets the holder and a guest a chance for many big-ticket prizes and some delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. The event will be held at the Bank of Stockton, 660 N. Main St., Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the door or from any Soroptimist member. You can also call  Leslie Trueb at 209-470-3585 or Carol Nunes at 209-608-2003.
Proceeds will go to support the Soroptimist Community Service Fund. The Teen Crisis Center is the club’s signature project. The club has donated $340,000 over the past 29 years to help the Manteca Unified School District provide counseling services for teens at all schools in the district. School officials have credited the teen crisis counselors for substantially reducing the potential for young people to make decisions that could result in negative consequences to their academic performance, future career paths and their health.
There are many projects that benefit from this fund which include Raymus House, Haven of Peace, Boys and Girls Club of Manteca, Manteca Mural Society, Manteca Historical Society, Women’s Opportunity Award, Making a Difference for Women Award, Christmas Wishes, yearly scholarships of $8,000 to MUSD high school seniors, the Second Harvest Food Bank, Friends of the Library and many more community projects.

Choir, handbell concerts
Dec, 14 & Dec. 18
Begin the Christmas Season by joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church when they blend their musical talents to present the 2nd Annual Christmas Concert for the community.  
The choir directors are Anne Talcott from St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Lisa Traughber, director of the handbell choir and Ruth Christensen, director of the Manteca Stake Choir.
The performances will include exceptional choir selections, special hand bell medleys, string ensembles, and a wonderful Congregational carol.
There will be two performances, Thursday, Dec. 14, 910 E. North St, St. Paul’s Methodist Church, beginning at 7 p.m.  
The second performance will be Sunday, Dec. 18, 6060 E. Northland Road, at the LDS Stake Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
A donation of canned food items for St. Paul’s Food Pantry would be welcomed at both locations.   

Manteca Rec Senior
Angel Tree project
Manteca Rec and the Manteca Senior Center launched the Angel Tree Project several years ago. Shut-ins and those at convalescent hospitals that have little or no visitors are identified and asked to submit a request for a small gift.
A Christmas tree is placed in the Manteca Senior Center lobby at 295 Cherry Lane from Nov. 30 through Dec. 13. Participants are asked to select a name tag from the tree and purchase an item on that senior’s wish list. Gift cards are also welcomed. If you have questions call 209.456.8650.

Stuff the Bus
for Kids’ Sake
There are two parts to the Stuff the Manteca Recreation Bus for Kids’ Sake effort. one involves program applications as well as people who may be interested in adopting a child or family by purchasing gifts and the other being three donation days.
Applications are being accepted through Dec. 6 from families with kids that may not be having a Christmas. To qualify, families must live within the Manteca Unified School District and attend an MUSD school. Approval — based on information on file with the MUSD — is required before kids can receive gifts.
If you would like to adopt a child or a family or submit an application for participation, email stuffthebusforkidssake@gmail.com. The district also provides the effort with a list.
The toy, coat, and food drive is set for three dates at the Manteca Walmart, 1205 S. and Main St. They are Saturday, Dec. 2; Sunday, Dec. 3; and Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
The Manteca Educators Association along with the Silver Barons Motorcycle Club of Central California is helping with Stuff the Bus. If you can’t make one of the drives, there are donation barrels at the Manteca Senior Center, the Manteca Unified School District office, Manteca Trailer & Motorhome, and Eagle’s Nest Harley Davidson in Lathrop.