A file photo of Santa Clause being the guest of honor at the Logan City’s annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 26.
LOGAN – Generally, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is the Christmas kick-off for many communities in and around Cache Valley. While Logan City holds their annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on historic Center Street and on Saturday, Nov. 26. from 4 to 6 p.m.
Santa Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage and there will also be caroling, a performance by the American Festival Chorus, holiday window displays, visits with Santa and a free movie at the Utah Theatre.
Brigham City has also scheduled their Jingle Bell Bash for the same Saturday Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The downtown businesses will have treats, activities, crafts and a raffle with prizes. Santa Clause is slated to arrive at noon riding in a fire truck.
The Christmas Village located at 20 North Main Street will be lit up on Monday Nov. 28 and remain open every night. Santa Clause will be there twice a week on Mondays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. until Christmas for snap shots with children.
Brigham City also has their Nutcracker Festival going on during the holidays to commemorate the Nutcracker Ballet which was first performed on Christmas Eve, 1944. The performance was directed by Willam, Harold and Lew Christensen and was the first full-length production of the Nutcracker in America.
The brothers’ first performance was at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House on Christmas Eve. It launched the Nutcracker Ballet as a national tradition. The Christensen brothers learned to dance in Brigham City at the Box Elder Academy of Music and Dance, built in 1903. They also transformed dance in the American West and were instrumental in developing three renowned ballet companies – Ballet West, The Portland Ballet, and The San Francisco Ballet.
Many of the businesses in Brigham City have nutcrackers large and small displayed in thier stores.
The nearby Willard Bay State Park will open their Fantasy at the Bay Drive Through Light Show beginning Friday, Nov. 25 until December 30.
Preston’s Festival of Lights Celebration will take place in Preston on Saturday with activities for all ages, The activities will begin at 1 p.m. and go until the Lighted Parade, which begins at 6 p.m. and ends with fireworks.
One of the first activities of the celebration will be for children. It will be a tour of the fire station located at 55 West First South. Children will have an opportunity to touch a fire truck.
Santa will be at the large community Christmas tree at the corner of State Street and Oneida Street. There will also be a variety show from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Worm Creek Opera House.
A Festival of Trees will be housed in the Gingerbread Shop building located at 72 S. State from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The Kids Free Movie will be at 4 p.m. and the Worm Creek Opera House.
Free entertainment featuring Ilia Ebanez and Ami Phillips will be on the State Street Stage at 5:30 p.m.
The Lighted Parade will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a fireworks show.
There may be other communities with activities slated for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Check the communities websites ofr Facebook pages.