How to go this weekend:
What: Lantern Parade in conjunction with Christkindlmarkt
When: Friday, Dec. 5, 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Where: High and Front Streets, Hamilton
What: Christkindlmarkt
When: Friday, Dec 5, 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Courtyard Marriott, One Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton
What: Santa Parade - Hamilton Welcomes the Holidays
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to noon.
Where: Downtown Hamilton, One High Street
What: German Village Christmas Walk
When: Sunday, Dec. 7, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: 3rd Street, Hamilton
For more information, call (513) 844-8080.
The City of Hamilton will host a weekend of holiday events Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 7, filled with Santa, parades, an array of festive entertainment and plenty of shopping.
The weekend festivities will kick off with the Lantern Parade for children on Friday at 5:30 p.m., according to Karen Wittmer, program coordinator for volunteers, City of Hamilton and co-chair for Christkindlmarkt. The parade will be followed by the opening of Christkindlmarkt on Friday at 6 p.m. at The Courtyard Marriott in Hamilton.
Christkindlmarkt will run Friday, Dec. 5, from 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lanterns for the parade are available for purchase for $5 or families may bring a flashlight. Christkindlmarkt is a German Christmas market to highlight German Village that will feature German food, beer, music and wares – from greenery and German Nutcrackers to brats, metts and German cookies and more.
“The Lantern Parade will kick off the Christkindlmarkt. It starts at The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton on Front Street and continue across High Street down to St. Julie Billiart Parish. Representatives from both churches will tell the children stories. Then, everyone can head over to the Marriott for Christkindlmarkt,” Wittmer said.
Guests can do some Christmas shopping and celebrate the German tradition in the German Village area, she added.
Another downtown highlight that residents won’t want to miss will be the Santa Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to noon. The “snow or shine” parade will begin at the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and High Street, travel down High Street to Riverfront Plaza and end at Christkindlmarkt, which will be held at the Marriott. Santa will visit with children at Christkindlmarkt until 1 p.m.
“We hope to bring children and their parents together for the festivities that kick off the holidays and start the Christmas season. Part of Christmas is getting people together, enjoying family time and experiencing a variety of different activities,” said Barb Zellner, co-chair of Christkindlmarkt and committee member for Hamilton Welcomes the Holidays.
In addition to shopping at Christkindlmarkt, festivities will continue throughout the day on Sunday with the German Village Christmas Walk from noon to 5 p.m. on 3rd Street. This snow or shine event is in its 23rd year and features a day that includes a visit with Santa, live reindeer, strolling musicians, horse-drawn carriage rides as well as a walk-through of some of Hamilton’s private homes and historical buildings, and a number of children’s activities including a petting zoo.
“The German Village Christmas Walk not only reflects on Hamilton’s rich heritage, but it showcases many of the historic homes, landmarks and wonderful businesses that we have within our community. It has grown into one of the area’s most highly anticipated events, and it’s a free, family-friendly, fun day,” said Ann Dennett, chairman of the German Village Christmas Walk.
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