Community Calendar of upcoming events

WASHINGTON AREA

Wonderland Holidays: Nov. 30, all around Washington

WHS Class of ‘99 Reunion: Nov. 30, starting around 6 p.m. at Lebowski’s

Wellman’s Light The Night: Nov. 30, various activities including Polar Express barrell rides, ornament painting, s’mores, cookie decorations and more start at 4:30 p.m downtown. Santa arrives at 5 to light the tree.

Junkin’ Sisters Annual Holiday Shop Hop: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 at various stores in downtown Washington.

Holiday Bazaar: Dec. 7 at Washington YMCA 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Christmas in Kalona: Dec. 7, all day, all around Kalona

Candlelight tour of homes in Washington: Dec. 7 and 8, more details on the Washington Chamber of Commerce website.

Brighton Tree Lighting and Cookies with Santa: Dec. 7 at Brighton City Park and City Hall. 5-7 p.m.

Indoor Pool Grand Opening: Dec. 10, 4-8 p.m. at Washington YMCA

The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) Dec. 13 and 14 at Lebowski’s. Dinner at 6:30, show starts at 7:30.

MT. PLEASANT AREA

Festival of Trees: Every weekend starting Nov. 22 from 5-9 p.m. in the Union Block

Olds Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, Nov. 30 from 6-10 a.m. at Olds Fire Department

Small Business Saturday: Downtown Mt. Pleasant, Saturday, Nov. 30 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Miss Penny’s Adventures: Penny the Elf will visit one Chamber of Commerce business each day as a reminder to shop local. Take a guess about her location on her daily hints found on the Chamber Facebook page and get an entry into a weekly grand prize drawing.

Community Brunch: Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club will host Community Brunch.

Clothing and Canned Food Drive: Mt. Pleasant FFA will host a clothing and canned food drive Dec. 2-13 with donations going to the Fellowship Cup for families in need. Drop off donations of canned food items and clothing to boxes located at the Mt. Pleasant Community High School office, Lomont, Family Dental, Agri Center, Beck’s Hybrid, First Baptist Church, Brown’s Show Fit, and Sinclair Tractor in Houghton and Winfield.

Christmas Card Junk Journals: Winfield Public Library will host a Christmas Card Junk Journal activity on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. Seating is limited to 10 people. Call the library 319-257-3247 during regular hours to reserve your spot.

New London Community School District winter concert: Dec. 5 NLCSD music students will perform at various times in two locations at New London High School. In the high school gym kindergarten-second grade students will perform at 5:30 p.m., third-fifth will perform at 6:10 p.m., sixth-12 th chorus will perform at 6:50 p.m. The bands will perform in the auditorium with sixth grade starting at 7:20 p.m., followed by seventh and eighth at 7:30 p.m., and high school at 7:40 p.m.

Holiday on Main: Dec. 5, at 5:15, Holiday on Main begins with the Lighted Parade. Route is still to be determined. Holiday on Main events will follow the parade in downtown Mt. Pleasant

Hang lights in Salem: Volunteers are asked to help hang lights in the city park of Salem Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:30 a.m.

Let Your Littles Shop: Dec. 7 from 12-5 p.m. at New London Clark Elementary School gym kindergarten-sixth grade students may shop for Christmas gifts.

Christmas Market: Dec. 7 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Christian School. Will include shopping and food for purchase.

Winfield Presbyterian Church Cookie and Candy Walk: Dec. 7 at 8:30-11 a.m.

Christmas Sing-Along: Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. at the Winfield Presbyterian Church Selah will perform for the December W.A.G.G. event.

Hypnotist Cheryl Shagen: performance at the Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge #1003 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 in advance at the Lodge. A meatloaf dinner will be available for $10 from 5-7 p.m. This event is open to the public.

WACO Winter Concert: Dec. 8 at WACO High School gym at 2 p.m. WACO students will perform festive tunes with lots of holiday spirit.

Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas: Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. musical performance at Heatilator Performing Arts Center. Tickets on sale at blue-violin.com

Women. Woods. Wine.: Dec. 10 5:30 p.m. at Henry Conservation Nature Center women will learn about ancient tools. This event is for women 21 and older. Pre-register at mycountyparks.com by Dec. 6

Pajama Stroll: Dec. 12 beginning at 5 p.m. Main Street Mt. Pleasant will host a holiday pajama stroll with a viewing of a holiday movie beginning at 7:30 p.m.

First Responder Appreciation Meal: Dec. 12 Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge #1003 will host a first responder appreciation meal. First responders and their families may enjoy a free meal, and the public is invited to attend for a free will donation. Donations will benefit the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.

Santa in Hillsboro: Dec. 14 beginning at 10 a.m. Santa Claus will visit Hillsboro with a special present for children 10 years of age and younger. Adults must sign up children by noon Dec. 5 by calling city hall at (319) 253-4465. Older children are welcome to join and enjoy extra treats.

New London Holiday Stroll: Dec. 14 from 5-8 p.m. enjoy activities, food, and a parade in New London.

Hollydaze: Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. SEISO will host a holiday concert at the Chapel Auditorium

Winfield Historical Society and Museum Open House: Dec. 15 from 1-3 p.m. and Dec. 16 10 a.m.-noon

Gift Wrapping: Sun. Dec. 15 H.J. Nugen Public Library in New London will offer gift wrapping for $2 per gift as fundraiser toward the library wish list. If this time does not work, call (319) 367-7704 to schedule an appointment. Drop off your gifts with wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes, etc. to the library and leave your contact information. You will receive a notification when your gifts are ready for pick up.

Mt. Pleasant Middle School Winter: Dec. 16 from 7-8:15 MPCMS students will perform.

Star gazing: Dec. 19 from 5-7 p.m. Henry Conservation will host a star gazing event at the Oakland Mills Nature Center

Toy Drive give away: Dec. 20 Mt. Pleasant Police Department will host their annual toy drive give away.

Lessons and Carols: Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a service fille with choral works and Bible readings accompanied by their 1928 organ.

FAIRFIELD AREA

Holiday Lighting on the Fairfield Square, on Friday, Nov. 29. Lights turned on at 6 p.m. Families can visit Santa Claus in his house on the square. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m.

Santa in Downtown Fairfield. Santa will be waiting for you in his house in Downtown Fairfield. Free cookies and cocoa. Hosted by Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. Event will be every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 29 through Dec. 21, from 6-8:30 p.m.

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Richland. Country Junction in Richland will host Santa and Mrs. Claus from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Enjoy hot chocolate and donuts. Bake sale. Sponsored by the Richland Community Club.

Holiday Hop in Eldon. American Gothic House in Eldon will host its third annual Holiday Hop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. No admission. First 48 adults will receive a 1 oz. jar of cherry preserves. Kids’ event will be from 2-3:30 p.m., children will be invited to make a free gingerbread house.

Ho Ho Ho Holiday, hosted by Jim and Teresa Huffman at a new location in the Lincoln Center at 401 W. Stone Ave. in Fairfield. Event will feature festive activities like decorating ornaments and photos with Santa, a stroll through Whoville to visit the Grinch, and the world of Harry Potter. Event will last from 5:30-8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday starting Nov. 29 through Dec. 21.

Fairfield Indoor Farmers Market, every Saturday from November through April, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Golden Magnolia Sanctuary.

Shop & Be Merry, Nov. 15-Dec. 24. Join Fairfield shops for festive sales and events. From gifts for home, grandmas, babies, and even those hard to buy for people in your life, Fairfield shops are ready to help make this holiday one of your best!

A Christmas Carol, Nov. 30. This classic tale by Charles Dickens is brought to life on stage, following Scrooge's transformation from a miserly curmudgeon to a joyous benefactor through the visits of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. From 2-4 p.m. and again from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center.

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Fairfield First Friday Carriage Rides, Dec. 6. At the heart of the First Fridays event, a beautiful horse-drawn carriage will be waiting patiently to carry you around the square. With each gentle clip-clop of hooves, along with carolers and festive shoppers, the magic of the season will come alive! 6-8 p.m. on Fairfield Square.

Christmas Open House and Bazaar, Dec. 7. Visit the historic McElhinny House for their annual open house and bazaar. There will be lots of treats and crafts for sale, including their famous ham balls! From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 300 N. Court St.

Holiday Tour of Homes, Dec. 7 & 8. Unwrap the magic of the holiday season with our enchanting Christmas Tour of Homes.

This is a Sleigh-full of Festive Inspiration. For those with a passion for decking the halls, this tour of six Fairfield homes is your golden ticket to a treasure trove of ideas! Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and be inspired to craft your own winter wonderland.

Christmas Light Showdown, Dec. 13 & 14. Rev up your holiday spirit and help us crown the champions of the Fairfield Christmas Light Showdown by hitting the streets and voting for the BEST Holiday light display in town! Maps and ballots will be available for download on the Visitfairfieldiowa.com website. Ballots must be returned by 9 p.m. on the 14th to be counted in the contest. Christmas Light Showdown sponsored by Mack's Automotive of Fairfield.

Holiday Trade Fair, Dec. 13 & 14. The Holiday Trade Fair is a one-stop holiday shopping event with over 60-plus local and regional craftspeople, artisans, and importers offering unique gifts and creations. Shoppers will find a great selection of unique handcrafted and imported products to select from. Friday, Dec. 13 from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts& Convention Center.

Chamber Singers Holiday Concert, Dec. 14 & 15. Celebrate the spirit of the season with songs courtesy of the Chamber Singers of Southeast Iowa! Event is 7:30 p.m. at Golden Magnolia Sanctuary.

Fairfield Rotary Christmas Eve Parade, Dec. 24. Santa makes a special appearance in Fairfield before heading out on his whirlwind trip around the world. Track him through town or meet up with him on the Fairfield Square. Santa’s sleigh will leave the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center at 5 p.m.