The holidays are here, bringing along aromas of cinnamon and gingerbread, stores packed to the brim with avid shoppers and plenty of local events to make this season count.
So, where to begin?
A special visit
Santa Claus is taking a break from busily preparing for the holidays to make a pit stop in Mt. Laurel.
This will be an outing before his main visit on Christmas Eve, of course.
Arriving grandly on a fire truck, residents can meet with Santa from 2:45 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Mt. Laurel Community Center.
According to Township Clerk Meredith Tomczyk, the event will be in line with past years, including arts and crafts.
There will be hot chocolate, a sweet treat bar and cookies, not to mention “Reindeer Food.”
Lenape High School’s choir will be on hand to add to the festive atmosphere.
Hear your favorite holiday story read in story time, according to a township release, pack your wish list for Santa — and a camera for a photo op with the jolly ole fellow.
The community center is located at 100 Mt. Laurel Road, Mt. Laurel.
To pre-register, call the recreation department at (856) 234–001 ext. 1224 or email [email protected].
Living nativity scene
Mt. Laurel’s Fellowship Community Church is hosting a free, outdoor living nativity scene on select nights in December.
The display, featuring 13 walk through scenes, more than 200 cast members, free parking and refreshments to boot is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16.
Residents can stop by from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church, 1520 Hainesport Road, Mt. Laurel.
According to its website, the display is a “gift to your family: no charge, no donation.”
For more information, call (856) 235–1697, email [email protected] or visit http://livingnativity.org.
Fall into crafts
Find special holiday gifts at Lenape High School’s fall craft show on Saturday, Nov. 24.
The craft show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, located at 235 Hartford Road.
According to a release, 190 vendors are expected to be in attendance.
Lenape concerts
Lenape High School will be filled with cheer this December.
The vocal winter concert will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13 beginning at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium.
A few days later, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, the instrumental winter concert will be performed, also beginning at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium.
For more information, call Lenape at (609) 654–5111.
Even more concerts
Like their elder counterparts, students at Mt. Laurel schools will be performing winter concerts this December.
The concerts are open to families of students.
Fleetwood School, 231 Fleetwood Ave., will host a concert on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 1:30 and 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 18, Hartford School, 397 Hartford Road, will have its choir and orchestra concert from 8:10 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
On Wednesday, Dec. 19, Harrington Middle School, 514 Mt. Laurel Road, will come alive with a concert at 7 p.m.
Larchmont School, 301 Larchmont Boulevard, will host its winter celebrations on Thursday, Dec. 20 with the time to be determined.
Stay up to date with the local schools by visiting www.mtlaurelschools.org.
Mt. Laurel Ballet Company
“The Nutcracker” will be co-sponsored by the Mt. Laurel Ballet Company.
According to the company’s website, the show will take place at Rancocas Valley High School’s Performing Arts Center on Jacksonville Road in Mt. Holly on Friday, Dec. 14 at 2 and 7 p.m.
For more details or for tickets, visit www.mountlaurelballet.com.
“The Gingerbread Man”
During winter break, area youngsters can stop by the Mt. Laurel Library for a re-telling of “The Gingerbread Man.”
According to the library’s website, the classic, repeated phrase in the book is, “Run, run, as fast as you can, you can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man.”
All ages are welcome to attend the Friday, Dec. 28 reading, though ages 3 to 9 with a guardian are best suited for enjoyment, reads the website.
An actor-educator from Youth Stages will lead the reading.
The event will take place in the library’s meeting room 1 and 2 combined beginning at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact the library at (856) 234–7319 ext. 333.
Stay with us
Follow The Sun as the holiday season progresses, and make sure to email us at [email protected] with any additional events.
