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The holiday season always brings a rush of Christmas parties, open houses, house tours and other events. Williston is no exception. We thought we would cover a few fun community events in this blog entry.

The parade of lights is held every year the day after Thanksgiving. Gather downtown to watch the parade of lighted floats move north up Main and end at Harmon Park. The parade starts at 6pm and culminates with the “lighting up” of Harmon Park, when all the parks displays are powered for the holiday season. Migrate over to the James Memorial Art Center after the parade for “Warm Up After Light Up,” from 6:30-8:30pm. Enjoy live music from the Williston Strings while you thaw your insides with hot chocolate, cider and homemade treats.

Our hands-down favorite winter event occurs annually at Spring Lake Park. The CVB and Williston Parks, along with countless volunteers, organize the Holiday Lights Drive November 29- December 31. With thousands of twinkling lights in over sixty display pieces, Williston’s light drive rivals much larger communities at a fraction of the cost. $5 at the gate gets your whole carload in. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the Spring Lake Park Holiday Lights Drive activities calendar. On several weeknights, the Holiday Lights Drive offers great family activities such Photos With Santa, Monday Movie Nights, craft nights and more. Although you can purchase photographs from the professional photographer on-hand, it costs nothing to participate in Photos With Santa or any of the other activity nights. All of the great family programming is made possible by local sponsors. Proceeds from the Lights Drive are divided between Williston Parks and the non-profit group working in the ticket booth each night.

Williston's fabulous community theater group, Entertainment, Inc!, will be showing their production of "Christmas at the Shoppe Around the Corner" December 4-8. This family friendly play includes some classic Christmas music. Contact the box office for times and tickets at 701-577-3179. 

December 5th marks the date of this year's Williston Downtowners Holiday Stroll with specials and/or activities at many downtown businesses. The Stroll will run from 4-8pm and is a great time to make progress on your holiday shopping list.

Youth Education On Stage (YES) will be presenting a winter production titled “The Littlest Angel” on December 6 and December 7 at the James Memorial Art Center’s Center Stage. This is their 30th Season Celebration Production featuring young local talent. Shows will be held at noon, 2:30 and 4:30pm on December 6 and at 7pm on December 7.  Cost is $3 for adults and $.30 for all students.  

Also on December 6, don't miss the 23rd Annual Tuba Christmas. Up to 25 tubas and euphoniums will be playing all your favorite Christmas carols in the afternoon. Performances are free and open to the public. You can find Tuba Christmas as follows: First Lutheran Church at 1pm, downtown Williston at American State Bank corner (weather permitting) or at the Downtown Plaza/Service Drug area at 2pm and at 3pm at Bethel Lutheran Home. 
  
A new and noteworthy festival this year is a two part event presented by Williston Friendly Faces and is coined Reindeer Games (for families) on Friday, December 12 and the 1st Annual Festival of Trees Gala (for adults) on Saturday, December 13. The venue for both evenings is upstairs at the Raymond Family Community Center. Admittance to Reindeer Games is one canned food item per person; children must be accompanied by an adult. From 5:30 to 8:30pm, families will enjoy caroling, sleigh rides, photos with Santa, ornament making and cookie decorating!

For the adults-only 1st Annual Festival of Trees on Saturday, Dec. 13, formal wear is required. The event will run 6pm to 1am. This black-tie formal dinner and dance event will also include a silent auction and a live auction of Christmas trees. Each tree will be unique and each tree is donated and decorated by local businesses, complete with gifts—and auctioned off beginning at 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Williston Friendly Faces’ Santa’s Elves project, which aims to make Christmas a little brighter for families in need. You can find more information about the 1st Annual Festival of Trees on our website calendar of events.

This is just a quick sample of holiday events in Williston. Keep your eyes open for more, including classes, craft shows and live music events. 
 
 
 


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