A week-long calendar of holiday events starts tonight with a tree lighting in Ripon and will be capped with a Christmas cantata.
There Christmas concert is being presented by the choirs at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. in their sanctuary. They will sing a 50-minute cantata called "A Thrill of Hope" directed by Anne Talcott. The choirs include the Chancel Choir, the Music Discovery children's choir and at least twenty other friends from the community representing ten other churches.
St. Paul's is located at 910 E. North St in Manteca and the concert is free to the public. For more information call the church office, 823-7154.
Tonight
*RIPON TREE LIGHTING: The City of Ripon and the Hospice of San Joaquin are conducting the annual Tree Lighting ceremony beginning at 6 p.m.
The tree located at the Veterans Memorial Wall, 311 First St., will brighten up with symbolic Christmas lights and, at the same time, allow residents to hang their favorite ornaments.
For the Hospice of San Joaquin, this lighting event offers those in the community a chance to recognize people who have impacted their lives via a memorial or honorary light dedication.
The tree lighting will also feature hot chocolate and cookies for those in attendance along with performances by the Ripon High Band and Choir.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
*MANTECA HOSPICE TREE LIGHTING: The Hospice of San Joaquin tree lighting ceremony will take place Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. at Doctors Hospital of Manteca at North Street and Cottage Avenue.
Thursday, Dec. 5
*MANTECA TREE LIGHTING & CHRISTMAS AT THE CENTER: The City of Manteca tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m. in front of the Manteca Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St. There will be music and entertainment. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own homemade ornaments to hang on the tree.
Then at 6:30 p.m. the Christmas at the Center starts at the senior center, 295 Cherry Lane. The free event includes live local entertainment, Christmas arts and crafts for kids, Christmas cards for soldiers, free cookies and hot chocolate, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, reindeer carnival games, story time, and free photos with Santa.
*TASTE OF RIPON: The Ripon Chamber of Commerce’s 24th annual Taste of Ripon that starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, has sold out of all 600 tickets . Twenty-seven businesses will once again enjoy extended business hours for Taste of Ripon, offering a variety of wines, foods and appetizers not to mention holiday shopping. . For those fortunate to score a ticket, check-in will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Ripon Memorial Library, 333 W. Main St. or the Silverado Building, 460s. Stockton Ave.
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 6-8
*MANTECA CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK: The Manteca Chamber of Commerce is looking for vendors for its Christmas in the Park event taking place Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 8, at Woodward Park.
The new location for Christmas in the Park at Woodward Park will feature a snow play area, photos with Santa, carnival rides, food trucks, vendors, petting zoo, rock painting, children’s activities, a holiday cheer tent, Christmas tree decorating contest, and more. The Friday, Dec. 6, hours are 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7
*BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & MRS. CLAUS: The Manteca Presbyterian Church, North and Main streets, is hosting a pancake breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8 to 11 a.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12 while those under 6 are free. Photos of Santa complete with a frame are $5.
*MANTECA CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Manteca Chamber of Commerce is looking for participants for its 47th annual holiday twilight parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m. in downtown Manteca. This year’s parade theme is “A Candyland Christmas”. The parade route is down Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Garfield Avenue by Manteca High.
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 7-8
*STUFF THE BUS FOR KIDS: Manteca Parks & Recreation in connection with the Manteca Unified School District is conducting a gift drive for kids from struggling families with the Stuff the Buss event at the Manteca Walmart on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, as well as Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Sunday, Dec. 8
*MANTECA MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE: The Manteca Historical Society will hold their annual Christmas Open House on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1 to 4 pm at the museum. Melinda Pacheco Patrick will be signing her new book “Images of America – Manteca”. Refreshments will be served, the gift shop will be open. All are welcome.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
* SOROPTIMIST HOLDIAY AFFAIR: The 40th annual Soroptimist International of Manteca Holiday Affair cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception takes place Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Manteca Bank of Stockton branch on North Main Street from 6 to 7 p.m. The $75 ticket provides admission for two people. Tickets asre available at Tipton’s Stationery and Gifts. 169 W. Yosemite Ave.(209-823-7644). You may also contact Connie Meintasis (209-823-5828) or Gayl Wilson (209-483-8187) or any other Soroptimist member.
Thursday, Dec. 12
*RIPON CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Ripon Chamber of Commerce Christmas Light Parade takes place on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. in downtown Ripon. The theme is “Peace on Earth”. Entry fees are $20 per single vehicle or $30 for two vehicles or more including horses. The deadline for entries is Dec. 9. Contact the chamber at 209.599.7519 or go to riponchamber.org.
*SONDANCE CHRISTMAS DANCE PRESENTATION: SONdance Christian Dance School’s annual Christmas production is Friday, Dec 13, and Saturday, Dec.14 at 7 p.m. at the Ripon Christian Schools performing arts center, 435 N. Maple Ave., Ripon. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. For ticket sales or more information call SONdance at 209.823.1740 or go to www.sondance.org.
Saturday, Dec. 14
*BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane, is hosting the annual event starting at 9 a.m. sharp.
Bring your children ages and 10 and under to the festive breakfast that includes the chance to make a craft, enjoy breakfast and visit with Santa. Only 125 children’s tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The $7 tickets are on sale at the senior center.
*LATHROP CHRISTMAS PARADE: The City of Lathrop Christmas parade takes place Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. starting at Fifth and J streets. The theme is “The Music & Magic of Christmas”. For entry information contact the Lathrop Community Center at (209) 941-7370.
