A youth choir performs at the Christmas Open House at the Courthouse Museum. This year’s event is set for Sunday, Dec. 4. See Page B-2.
Little ones watch the Downtown Christmas Parade with wonder and excitement back in 2018. This year’s parade on Saturday, Dec. 3, marks yet another shift back to the way things were before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most wonderful weekend of the year for area families is this one — the first in December.
And that means, the Christmas season in Merced officially begins with the Downtown Christmas Parade, the annual MERCO Community Tree Lighting, and a host of other community events across the city.
This year’s parade will start at 3 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Merced on Saturday, Dec. 3, and the theme is “Rocking around the Christmas Tree Through the Decades.” The parade route goes east to west, starting near D Street and ending at O Street.
After the parade, there will be a Santa Clause photo opportunity, a tree lighting ceremony, and special performances by Playhouse Merced Holiday Choir as well as The Bear Creek Ukulele Society at Bob Hart Square.
On Sunday, Dec. 4, don’t miss the decorations, holiday treats and live entertainment at the 38th annual Christmas Open House at the Courthouse Museum from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Check out all the event listings in the Community Calendar on Page 5, and the Free Times section, inside this edition!