FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) -The month of December will be full of festive holiday activities planned by the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD), in partnership with the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce. Highlighted here are some of the free activities to help the community celebrate the season.

The season will kick off with a favorite annual event for Fair Oaks residents—the Christmas in Fair Oaks Tree Lighting on December 3 at Fair Oaks Park (11549 Fair Oaks Blvd.). The event will feature live music, craft vendors, food trucks and hot cocoa, games and activities for kids, canned food collection, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Parking opens at 1:30 PM, and the event will go from 2:00-6:00 PM, with the festivities concluding with the iconic tree lighting ceremony at around 5:30 PM. Parking, general admission, kids’ activities, and Santa photos are free.

While supplies last, you can pick up free holiday games and crafts at the FORPD Office (4150 Temescal St.). From December 1-18, pick up a Dreidel game to celebrate Hanukkah. And from December 1-22, pick up a Christmas craft kit to make popsicle stick Christmas trees and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ornaments, and a New Years craft kit to make confetti party poppers.

On December 4, check out Fair Oaks Vintage Charm in the Fair Oaks Village. You can see classic cars on display starting at 7:00 AM, and Village shops and restaurants will be open for your enjoyment. Enjoy hot cocoa and coffee at EJ’s Little People during a California International Marathon watch party to cheer on the participants as they run past between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Visit Biker Bar from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for kids crafts and face painting.

Decorate your house with your best festive light display to participate in the Light Up! Fair Oaks contest. Register by December 6, and the community will view and vote for their favorites from December 12-18. The winner will be announced on December 19.

The Holiday Night Market will be held on December 6 from 5:00-9:00 PM at Shangri-La restaurant (7960 Winding Way). You can sip and snack while browsing artisanal products from more than 20 vendors. Santa will be there for photos, and donations will be accepted for the non-profit SPARKLE Foundation, which benefits women in need.

The next holiday shopping opportunity will be the Holiday Shopping Fair at Rollingwood YMCA (9373 Winding Oak Drive) on December 7 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with local vendors offering crafted and homemade goods, including jewelry, clothes, baked goods, and other gifts. Only cash payments will be accepted at this event.

Also on December 7 is the Jingle & Mingle Village Stroll. Attendees will be given a bell so they can jingle through the Village shops while searching for those perfect holiday gifts. Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater, and the best ones will be awarded prizes. Pre-registration is required for this event.

December 8 is the Holiday Food and Craft Fair from 4:00-8:00 PM at Fair Oaks Park (11549 Fair Oaks Blvd.).  Common Kettle’s Farmers Market presents a variety of local food and craft vendors, and attendees will enjoy dinner, beverages from local breweries, and live music.

Take photos with Santa on December 9 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Fashion Rewind Trading Co. (10127 Fair Oaks Blvd.) to celebrate their anniversary. Chrysti Tovani, of I LOVE Fair Oaks, will be available to take portraits, and donations will be accepted for the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank.

Then on December 10, bring your pets to Phoenix Dog Park (9050 Sunset Ave.) for photos with Santa from 1:00-4:00 PM. The event is free, but donations would be appreciated.

Also on December 10 is Meristem’s Annual Winter Faire from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM at Meristem’s Stegmann Hall (9200 Fair Oaks Blvd.). Enjoy live music and crafting activities while shopping one-of-a-kind gifts, including art, homemade crafts, and baked goods.

On the evening of December 10, join Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation’s Procession of Holiday Lights from 5:30-7:00 PM. Decorated cars, trucks, and trailers will drive along Central, Filbert, Oak, and Main avenues in Orangevale. Bring your own decorated vehicle to join in the fun, or find a viewing spot along the route. Donations will be collected for Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) of Orangevale-Fair Oaks. Find more details in the full Holiday Guide.

Wild Runners sporting goods store (10149 Fair Oaks Blvd.) will celebrate Posada Navideña on December 15 at 6:00 PM. This family event will include food, drinks, and music—as well as sweets-filled pinatas. Bring a new unwrapped toy for donation and get a taco in exchange.

Come to El Gallo Mexican Restaurant (11773 Fair Oaks Blvd.) for dinner on December 16 from 6:00-8:30 PM and enjoy an evening of Christmas carols performed by local musician Pete Schroeder. He will also be caroling at other locations with the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks, so check out the Holiday Guide for more details.

The Snowman Scavenger Hunt will take place December 16-19 at parks throughout Fair Oaks.  Clues about their hiding places will be released online on December 16. Find the hidden snowmen and write down the letters on each to unscramble the magic word. Scan the QR code, and enter the word for a chance to win a prize. 

Enjoy holiday-style disc golf on December 19 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Miller Park Disc Golf Course (8480 Sunset Ave.). At this Disc Golf Glow Throw, the baskets will be lit with holiday lights and glow tape will be available to decorate your disc.

Celebrate Christmas Eve with FORPD’s Festive Holiday Playlist. Click the link in the Holiday Guide to listen to this curated collection of favorite holiday songs.

The full Holiday Guide with details about all offered activities can be viewed at https://issuu.com/forpd/docs/2022_holiday_guide.