Holiday happenings: Local Christmas events to get people in the spirit

Editor's Note: The theme of the annual Parade of Lights was corrected below.

Get in the spirit by getting out and enjoying these holiday events around the area.

Craft fairs

Stumped shopping for a loved one who's got it all? A handmade craft or piece of folk art might do the trick.

19th annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show

Festive motorcyclists ride in the Chaffee Christmas Parade on Dec. 1, 2012, in Chaffee, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

5 to 9 p.m. today; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

Notre Dame Regional High School

Admission: $1

44th annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Osage Centre and the Show Me Center

Admission: $5 Saturday (good for both days and both locations), $3 Sunday (good for both locations).

38th annual River Valley Craft Fair

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday,

Arena Building and 4-H Building at Arena Park

Admission: $5 Saturday, $3 Sunday

Second annual Plowshares Sale

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6

Abbey Road Christian Church, Cape Girardeau

Christmas parades

23rd annual Parade of Lights

5 p.m. Nov. 30

Downtown Cape Girardeau

The parade begins at 5 p.m. or at dusk. The route starts at Capaha Park, proceeds east on Broadway, turns right on Main Street and ends at Merriwether Street. Old Town Cape presents the event. This year's theme is "Candy Canes and Christmas Carols."

Jackson

3:30 p.m. Dec. 6

Uptown Jackson

The theme: "Jackson Through the Years." Santa Claus is rumored to be planning an appearance.

Chaffee

1 p.m. Dec. 6

Chaffee Head Start, Chaffee, Missouri

The parade begins at the Head Start parking lot on North Main Street and ends at the Country C.B. building.

Scott City lighted Christmas parade

5 p.m. Dec. 6

Scott City

This year's theme: "Tropical Christmas." The parade will begin at the Bob's Foodliner parking lot and end at the city park, where refreshments will be served by the fire department. The Scott City Elementary Honor Choir will lead Christmas carols. There also will be awards going to first-, second- and third-place floats.

Charleston

6 p.m. Dec. 12

Main Street, Charleston, Missouri

After the parade on Main Street in Charleston, there will be activities at the Mississippi County Historical Society and local shops.

Community events

13th annual Happy Slapowitz Toy Bash

6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11

Various locations in downtown Cape Girardeau

The Happy Slapowitz Toy Bash is the largest local toy drive for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. This year's event features nine bands at eight venues with food provided by Smokin Brothers BBQ. For more details on the events, including the bands and locations, visit facebook.com/happyslapowitz.

Downtown Christmas Open House

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, downtown Cape Girardeau

Old Town Cape presents a night of Christmas fun. There will be carolers and sleigh rides, sweet treats and holiday specials, and a host of festive cheer will help ring in the Christmas season. Bring your family and friends down to experience the excitement of the annual Downtown Christmas Open House.

Flashlight candy cane hunt

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12

Arena Building

Bring a flashlight and help find the hidden candy canes. When people arrive, they get to decorate a bag to collect the candy canes. After the candy canes are collected, there will be cookies and hot chocolate and children can make a Christmas list for Santa. Parent must accompany children. Dress according to weather.

Breakfast with Santa

9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 13

Osage Centre

Parents and children are invited to enjoy breakfast with Santa. If registered, the cost is $5 per child, $5 per adult, $8 for two children or $11 for three children. The cost is $8 a person the day of the event. Parents, don't forget a camera.

tgraef@semissourian.com