Santa comes to Old Town Temecula Thanksgiving weekend

TEMECULA – Old Town Temecula will welcome Santa Claus in picturesque fashion to his workshop on Friday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. with a grand procession aboard a horse-drawn carriage down Old Town Front Street to Main Street.

Lighting his way are more than 30,000 twinkling lights from archway to archway in trees and on light poles. It will be opening day of Winterfest and Santa will be escorted by Dickens carolers, a giant elf, and Freckles the clown.

Santa will listen to children’s holiday wishes until 9 p.m. and while kids wait they can get free balloons from Dynamite Dave or face painting from Freckles. Participating Old Town Temecula businesses will have reindeer antlers for kids while supplies last.

Kids can visit with Santa every Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 16. The Tahquitz District Boy Scouts will take souvenir photos for a donation and help Santa in his workshop. Weekends include Dickens carolers and other family-oriented entertainment with puppet shows, music and Dynamite Dave. Santa’s Electric Light Parade brightens the evening Friday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.

Old Town Temecula’s seasonal ice rink will return Friday, Dec. 14, with hourly sessions through Jan. 6, 2013. The 3,500 square foot ice rink will be located at Main and Mercedes. Check the website http://www.temeculaevents.org for times, prices and more information.

Temecula’s Town Square will also be the scene of a giant New Year’s Eve Family Friend First Night Bash. Join your neighbors at Temecula’s newest tradition with the Grape Drop Countdown (9 p.m. and midnight) at City Hall. The celebration offers dancing to the Silver Beatles, Safety Orange, The Bash Band, and Valley Winds.

All activities at Temecula Town Square are free except the ice rink which will remain open until 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day. See http://www.temeculacalifornia.com for more information or call (951) 678-1456.