Community Calendar of upcoming events

WASHINGTON AREA

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.

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PAWS & More Holiday Open House: Dec. 7, 12-4 p.m. at PAWS & More Animal Shelter.

Washington Municipal Band Holiday Concert: Dec. 7, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

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

Marion Avenue Baptist 50th Annual Live Animal Christmas Show: Dec. 10-15. Some showings require reservations or are only open to Washington County residents. Visit marionavenuebaptist.com for more details.

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

Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 13, 14 at Washington Community Theater. The Dec. 13 performance starts at 6:30 p.m., the Dec. 14 show begins at 1 p.m.

Holiday Meal Kit Giveaway Dec. 14 at Mills Seed Co. Starts at 11 a.m., goes while supplies last. Traditional and Latino options are available, first-come, first-served.

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Santa visits the Riverside Fire Department: Dec. 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. Please leave parking spaces on east side of building open for volunteer firefighters in case of emergency.

Holiday Sing-Along Dec. 19, 12-1 p.m. at the Washington Public Library

MT. PLEASANT AREA

Winter market and craft show: Saturdays at the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church Nov. 2-Dec. 14 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant Veterans Breakfast: Every third Friday at the Mt. Pleasant Veterans Hall from 8:30-9:30 a.m. All are welcome for this free-will donation breakfast.

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.

Festival of Trees: Main Street Mt. Pleasant will host a reception and live auction at the Festival of Trees Thurs. Dec. 5 from 7-8 p.m. at the Union Block. Proceeds will benefit EveryStep Hospice. Those unable to attend in person may do so remotely via a Facebook livestream on the Main Street Mt. Pleasant page.

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.

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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

Saint Lucia Celebration: Swedish American Museum and Historical Society will host their annual St. Lucia Celebration beginning at 6 p.m. with Christmas carols and tradition Swedish “Lussekatter” buns.

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.

Quilt raffle: Winfield Historical Society and Museum will draw a winner for their quilt raffle Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Winfield Museum. Tickets are on sale at Winfield Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Winfield city offices, and the Winfield Museum. Tickets may also be purchased through board members. They are $5 for one ticket, $25 for six, and $50 for 15.

FAIRFIELD AREA

Santa in Downtown Fairfield. Santa will be waiting for you in his house in Downtown Fairfield. Free cookies and cocoa, along with photo with Santa, free book and ornament. 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, Dec. 7. 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, Dec. 7. 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.

Dedication of Richland Childcare Center, Dec. 9. The new Jerry Bruce Robison Childcare Center in Richland will open its doors at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9 with a ceremony to commemorate the donation of a flag pole courtesy of the American Legion, and a cornerstone with time capsule inside from the former Richland school courtesy of the Richland Community Club. The childcare center was built on the site of the old school, which opened nearly a century earlier in 1925.

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!

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.

Reading Railroad Theater’s Holiday Program, Dec. 8 and 15. The event will begin at 2 p.m. each of those days at Morning Star Studio, on the east side of the Fairfield square at 51 ½ S. Court St. The production will include Norman Corwin’s radio play “The Plot to Overthrow Christmas,” a dance-theater piece called “The Peace Play,” a choral version of the poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” caroling, along with apple cider and Christmas cookies.

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 Municipal Band and Jazz Band, Dec. 15. These two great local bands will perform at 3 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. The event is free. Donations are accepted.

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.