Published: Friday, November 25, 2005

Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings
Here's where to kick off the holidays in your neighborhood

Enterprise staff

File photo Children enjoy the light of the tree at last year's "Deck the City Halls" tree lighting ceremony in Mill Creek.

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File photo Santa sets up shop at Alderwood mall now through Dec. 24.

Share your favorite holiday lights Do you have a favorite holiday display that you look forward to visiting each year? The Enterprise wants to know. Submit location and other pertinent information via e-mail to entfeatures@ heraldnet.com. Each week through the end of December we will publish a list of your recommendations.

There are plenty of opportunities in the next few weeks to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus in your neighborhood before his Christmas Eve trek across the globe. You can also celebrate the arrival of the holiday season at one of the many tree lighting events in local communities. Here's a rundown of what's coming up:



Bothell

Bothell Winterfest -- 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2: Children's hay rides, holiday carolers, lighting of the holiday tree, and the arrival of Santa at Bothell Landing, 9919 NE 180th St. Bring a camera for photos with Santa. Info: 425-486-7430.

Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival -- 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3: Caroling, train and pony rides and Santa's arrival to welcome the children and the season, with a traditional Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m. At Country Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Hwy. Info: 425-483-2250 or www.countryvillagebothell.com.



Brier

Timberline Park lights -- 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 5-11 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, Nov. 27-Dec. 31: Brier's Timberline Park neighborhood, at 228th Place SW, is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with holiday lights and decorations. Toy, cash or nonperishable food donations accepted for the Lynnwood Food bank. Checks may be made out to the Lynnwood Food Bank. Info: www.brierlights.org.

Tree Lighting -- 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3: Santa arrives to help light the tree while coffee, cocoa, cookies and candy canes are served along with caroling. At Brier Park, 2903 228th St. SW. Info: 425-775-5440.



Edmonds

Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony -- 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26: Santa arrives via fire truck at 5:20 p.m. for the lighting at Centennial Plaza in front of City Hall, 5th & Bell. Free hot cider, cookies, candy canes, popcorn, coffee; storytelling and sing-a-longs, plus photos with Santa at Old Milltown. Info: 425-670-1496.

Christmas Ships -- 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6: Depart from the Edmonds Marina on the Argosy Christmas ships for a tour of Edmonds and Richmond Beach waterfronts (Tickets: $21 adults, $11 children, ages 5-12); or gather on shore at the Edmonds Waterfront Fishing Pier to view the festive parade of boats and participate in a sing-a-long. Windjammers Choir performs aboard the lead Christmas ship as they visit Edmonds from 7:10-7:30 p.m., then continue on to Richmond Beach from 8:10-8:30 p.m. Info: 206-623-1445 or argosycruises.com.



Lynnwood

Civic Lights Winter Celebration -- 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1: Lynnwood hosts this 10th annual event with decorations, choral and instrumental performances by Lynnwood musicians, hands-on art activities, Snow Hill play area with snowman building, story time, a Polar Bear Swim, photos with Santa, and refreshments, at the Lynnwood Civic Center campus, 18900 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Non-perishable food donations collected at the Recreation Center and Fire Station. Free. Info: 425-771-4030, www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

Kwanzaa celebration -- 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1: Join in this African harvest celebration featuring guest speaker Joy DeGruy-Leary. Free food and music. At Triton Union Building 202, Edmonds Community College, 20000 68th Ave. W. Free. Info: 425-640-1538.

Olympic Ballet Theatre Santa Breakfast -- 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17: OBT combines a "Mini-Nutcracker" performance with a visit from Santa Claus and his elves at the Embassy Suites, 20610 44th Ave. W. Breakfast, holiday music, visits with Santa, plus a mini-performance of "The Nutcracker" by the Olympic Ballet School dancers. Tickets: $24 adults, $20 children 10 & under, available through OBT at 425-774-7570 or through Ticketmaster at 206-292-ARTS.

Santa Photos at Alderwood -- through Dec. 24: Have your photo taken with the real Santa, in the Center Court at Alderwood mall, 3000 184th Street SW, Suite 145, Lynnwood, Prices vary. Info: 425-771-1121.

Santa Breakfast at Alderwood -- 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3: Enjoy a children's breakfast and sing-along in the Food Court at Alderwood mall, 3000 184th Street SW, Suite 145, Lynnwood. Admission: $5 suggested donation. Info: 425-771-1121.



Mill Creek

Mill Creek Holiday Festival -- 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29: Music and special entertainment from local schools begins at 6:45 p.m., with Santa's arrival and tree lighting ceremony at 7:15 p.m., followed by picture opportunities with Santa, at City Hall, 15728 Mill Creek Blvd. Refreshments provided. Info: 425-745-1891.



Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace Tree Lighting Ceremony-- 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2: Lighting at the city's water tower includes caroling, cocoa and a visit from Santa, at Evergreen Playfield 22205 56th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace, presented by Terrace-Brier Lions Club. Info: 425-776-9173.

Breakfast with Santa -- 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 10: The Mountlake Terrace High School Music Boosters host all-you-can-eat pancakes and beverages and digital pictures with Santa, plus musical entertainment provided by MTHS bands and other area school bands, at MTHS Hub, 21801 44th Ave. W. Cost: $5 adults, $3 students & seniors, proceeds benefiting MTHS music programs. Info: mthsmusicboosters@earthlink.net or 425-774-7984.



Richmond Beach

Christmas Ships -- 7:30-8:50 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6: Welcome the Christmas Ships as they stop near Richmond Beach. Gather around the bonfires, enjoy refreshments and choirs performances, at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 2021 NW 190th St., or depart from the Edmonds Marina and see Richmond Beach from the water. Reservations: 206-623-1445 or argosycruises.com; event info, Shoreline Parks & Rec, 206-418-3383.



Shoreline

North City Holiday Tree Lighting -- 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3: Santa makes an appearance in the North City business district in Shoreline at the annual lighting of the tree on the Water Tower, plus musical performances, photos with Santa, a sing along, and refreshments in the Les Schwab parking lot at 15th Ave. NE and NE 180th St.