Christmas Kickoff / Lighted Parade / Breakfast with Santa

 

Amish Country doesn't close down when it gets cold like some theme parks do.

The landscape changes a bit, but the people and the shops are here. Add some holiday decorations and some Christmas lights, maybe a bit of snow (but never very much before January) and our small town and the country shops take on a look of the past.

Earlier evenings and occasional cloudy days mean shopping under the gas lamps in the country shops. Their warmth and strange (to us) lighting effects make the shopping experience unique! Plus the varied selection of items to be found here make finding a special gift easy. The in-town shops all have sales going on, and there are special holiday bazaars, open houses and Christmas craft shows to browse. And don't forget the Downtown Arthur 3rd Saturday Market. There will be great last minute gift items, and special baked goods and candies available there to brighten your holidays.

The 3rd Saturday in November (Nov 17th, 2012) brings special holiday activities. Santa arrives for the children in our lighted parade on this Saturday before Thanksgiving. Kids love it!. There'll be a Holiday Story Time at the Library, downtown, for the little ones from 10A-11Am, Horse Drawn Amish Buggy (and/or carriage or sleigh rides 10A to 7PM,) holiday church bazaars, Free BBQ sandwiches for all at Noon, Ice Carving demonstrations at 3pm and 6pm, live reindeer to pet from 4P-6PM, store open houses all day, and our November 3rd Saturday Holiday Market ( 9A-4PM) going on that day also. Stay around for the finish of the "Deck The Walls Silent Auction" of wreaths and other display items at 6:30pm downtown.

The town stays alive into this evening with a lighted holiday parade kicking off at 5:30pm and bringing Santa to town. He will stay around of course, to visit with the children. Throw in free hot chocolate and cookies after the parade and all of the merchant specials available in their special evening hours, and you'll want to stay for the weekend!

So much to see and do, so much shopping... so little time.

Santa Comes back to Arthur on December 8 for Breakfast With Santa at 8:30 am at Yoder's Kitchen restaurant. 

Like most other ideas for visiting Arthur... Check the Events Calendar regularly and keep tabs with what's added. Our schedule here gets busier and busier and often changes at the last minute.

Click Here for an Printable Registration Form for the LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE