Christmas is in the air all over Racine County this weekend. Have some family fun with Santa, shopping, parades and music. Real Racine has these great ideas for you.
Fun in the Grove. The Village of Union Grove welcomes everyone to Christmas Comes to Union Grove this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Santa arrives at Village Square Park for the Community Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. On Friday, it’s Ugly Sweater Day all over town with shopping specials and an opportunity to win prizes. Saturday bring the annual Cookie Walk through village stores and the Holiday Gift and Craft Fair at Union Grove Elementary School, 7345 Milldrum St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s all presented by the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. www.uniongrovechamber.org
The year’s final First. It’s your last chance for First Friday in 2016. Head to Downtown Racine from 4 to 9 p.m. this Friday for open houses and shopping specials at shops, galleries and nightspots. There will be free admission all day the Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St., where the fabulous Christmas Tree, containing hundreds of hand-blown glass ornaments, is now on display. Free musical performances up and down the streets adds to the holiday spirit. First Friday takes a break until next April. Details at www.firstfridaysracine.com
Catch a pair of parades. You’ll have not one, but two, chances to catch a holiday parade (with Santa Claus) this weekend. Burlington’s annual Christmas Parade, with the theme “Christmas Vacation” starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Downtown Burlington. Be sure to stick around for the Christmas Tree lighting and the opening of Santa’s chalet in Wehmhoff Square, 355 N. Pine St. Details at www.burlingtonchamber.org The Waterford Winter Wonderland Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday along Main Street in Downtown Waterford. After the parade, join Santa for the Christmas Tree lighting near the Waterford Public Library, 101 N. River St. It’s all presented by Absolutely Waterford. www.absolutelywaterford.org
Meaning of Christmas. Be sure to take time to visit the Nativity on Monument Square starting Saturday and running through Jan. 7 Volunteers from the Community Christmas Coalition will be setting up the annual display on Monument Square in Downtown Racine at 10 a.m. Saturday. Donations toward the display’s upkeep are welcome at any Tri-City National Bank location in the Racine Area.
Christmas in music. The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin presents two performances of “Lessons and Carols” in two beautiful settings this weekend. This presentation combines the timeless music of J.S. Bach and the Christmas story told through readings. Saturday’s performance is at 7 p.m. at the Siena Center Chapel, 5635 Erie St., Caledonia. On Sunday, “Lessons and Carols” will be performed at 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 305 S. 1st St. in Waterford. Advance admission is $15 adults, $12 seniors and $5 students. Tickets at the door are $17 adults, $14 seniors and $5 students. Order at www.choralartsonline.org or call 262-634-3250.
Train is coming. Make plans now to see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train’s annual stop at the Sturtevant Amtrak Depot, 3300 E. Exploration Drive, next Monday, Dec. 5. The beautifully decorated train is scheduled to arrive at 5:25 p.m. There will be a free mini concert by recording artists Kelly Prescott and Colin James. Non-perishable food and cash donations will accepted by the Racine County Food Bank. For details and a video, visit http://www.cpr.ca/holiday-train/united-states
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