Christmas Events Right Around the Corner

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, so are some of the much-anticipated Christmas Island Style events that celebrate the Holiday Season. 

Over the last year, members of the volunteer organization, which manages the many holiday events on the island, have been busy preparing the return to a normal schedule, following two years of being cautiously aware of health concerns.

Santa’s Arrival At New Location

One of the first annual events, which takes place on Friday, November  26th (the day after Thanksgiving), is the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.  This year the event will be held at the lobby of the brand-new Marco Island Academy, located at 2255 San Marco Road. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 6 PM, courtesy of the Marco Island Fire/Rescue Department.  Families are advised to arrive early. Children and their families will meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and complimentary photos will be taken. Parents will be given a card with instructions on how to retrieve the photos online.

Community Tree Lighting at Mackle Park  

Due to ongoing construction at Veterans Community Park, the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Celebration will be held at Mackle Park this year. There will be no parking allowed on the park’s fields, but attendees may back onto the swale area on Leland Way or park in the Mackle Park parking lot. 

Attendees may walk onto the field with their own beach chairs to enjoy great entertainment with Master of Ceremonies, Jimmy Long. Trash receptacles will be available, as well as trash bags, for people to dispose of waste responsibly. The city has requested that no glass bottles and no alcohol be brought into the park.

Canine Holiday Pet Parade 

On December 7th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, the popular Christmas Canine Pet Parade will return to CJ’s on the Bay at the Esplanade. Pets dressing up in costume are requested to bring their owners in costume as well, for judging. There is no entry fee.  Costumes will be judged in a number of categories for those in walking the red carpet, and prizes awarded.

As always, the Christmas Island Style website lists all of its events on their website, which can be found at www.christmasislandstyle.com.