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 “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
-- Buddy the Elf --
 I'm not sure how this keeps happening, but you blink and somehow it's already December. That means an entire year is behind us, but we also have one more City of Auburn event before the calendar turns to 2025! The Lighted Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony is this Saturday in downtown Auburn, and I hope you can join us for all of the fun!
 This year's tree lighter is 7-year-old Elijah Olvera, a wonderful boy who has made tremendous progress in becoming a true leader. Someone who will help other classmates with hard assignments; he goes out of his way to befriend kids on the playground; and his mom couldn't be prouder of the leadership and teamwork Elijah has shown this year.
 Santa, Elijah and I are eagerly anticipating your presence at City Hall as we light the giant tree in the plaza. Don't miss the day full of fun downtown, either, with cookie decorating at Postmark Center for the Arts before the parade proper at around 4:30 p.m. And then stick around for the tree lighting and music in the plaza!
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* Saturday, Dec. 7
* 4:30 p.m.
* Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main Street
Check out 'Auburn on Main' podcast with Santa Parade event coordinator Amanda Valdez
(Click photo to watch video)
You can hear more about what's in store at the Lighted Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony by checking out the latest episode of the Auburn on Main podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube.
 Get your eyes — and your nose — ready, Auburn, because the Gingerbread Competition at the Auburn Community and Event Center officially began Wednesday!
And believe me, photos don't do it justice — you have to see and smell these sugary masterpieces to truly appreciate them. There's one modeled after the Neely Mansion, a certain skyscraper from a hotly contested is-it or isn't-it Christmas movie, and much, much more!
If you think you’ve got solid gingerbread-building skills, wait until you see the talent on display here. Even the youth category entries will blow you away!
Voting will be open until Wednesday, Dec. 18. So, take a moment to stop by, soak in the sweet sights and smells, and enjoy the holiday magic. Just remember — look, don’t touch! But those amazing aromas? They’re all yours to enjoy,
Happy Holidays!
 As temperatures continue to hover and dip below freezing at night, a reminder that the Ray of Hope and Sundown Overnight Shelter double as warming shelters when the temperatures are low! Please do not stay outside in those conditions!
Check In: 9 p.m.
Check Out: 7 a.m.
Location: 2806 Auburn Way N
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Santa Parade Cookie, Cocoa, Craft
Get your craft on at Postmark Center for the Arts prior to Auburn’s Santa Parade & Tree Lighting festivities!
Alongside all the fun happening downtown on Saturday, December 7, Postmark will be offering two different holiday arts crafts accompanied by warm cocoa and delicious cookies. Register to drop in any time between 12:30-3:00 PM to make and take your crafts.
Each individual must register to craft and have a cookie and cocoa.
Ages: 5+
Registration: $5
Instructor: Postmark Staff
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* Saturday, Dec. 7
* 12:30 - 3 p.m.
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Register ($5)
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Red, White & Blue Holiday Concert
Ring in the holidays with this annual free community concert performed by the America's First Corps Army Band. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this festive and rousing concert presented by the Army’s best, together with all of your favorite holiday music and carols.
Tickets are free, but required for admission and will be available for pick-up beginning November 1 at the Auburn Community & Event Center. Limit 6 per family.
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* Sunday, Dec. 8
* 2 p.m.
* Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th St. NE
* Register (free)
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Auburn Symphony: Holiday Spectacular
Celebrate the holidays with Auburn Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy new and familiar festive tunes spanning the breadth of holiday traditions complete with our traditional audience sing-along. Tim Pavino, who was featured on The Voice of the Philippines, will join us to sing “Sana Ngayong Pasko”, a sentimental Filipino favorite. Come early for even more cheer including photos with Santa, hot cocoa and cookies, and another special surprise or two!
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* Monday Dec. 9
* 7 - 8:30 p.m.
* Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th St. NE
* Register ($45-$10 depending on seat)
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Make and Mingle @ Postmark
Stop by the Postmark for our Make & Mingle session! Join us for a cup of coffee with whatever art project you might be working on. A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to gather... you can talk with other artists, ask for feedback or critique from on-site staff if available, bring your sketchbook to work out ideas, or just quietly draw in the gallery or work on your art! Intended for ages 18+.
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* Wednesdays
* 10 a.m. - Noon
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Free
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Drop-In Drawing @ Postmark
Come stop by for our new Drop-In Drawing sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to drop-in to draw from a still life or the gallery. Stay for whole two hours or only 10 minutes. Bring tools to either shade or color with, and your own sketchbook or drawing pad. There will be on-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.
Ages: 15+
Registration: $0
Instructor: Postmark Staff
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* Fridays
* 10 a.m. - Noon
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Free
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Drop-In Painting With Amy Sie @ Postmark
Amy Sie is offering Drop-In Gongbi Painting sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for you to start a new painting, or work on an old one. Please bring your own tools and materials for watercolor painting. On-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.
Ages: 18+
Fee: $0
Instructor: Amy Sie
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* Fridays
* 10 a.m. - Noon
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Free
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Breakfast with Santa
Join us for a holiday Breakfast with Santa!
Breakfast will be served by Santa's elves at two breakfasts, one beginning at 8:30 AM and one beginning at 11:00 AM. You will also enjoy special entertainment.
All Ages.
Pre-registration is required.
Space is limited.
Children $12 for residents/$15 for non-residents
Saturday, December 14, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM CHILD: 58842
Saturday, December 14, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM CHILD: 58843
Adults $13 for residents/$16 for non-residents
Saturday, December 14, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM ADULT: 58844
Saturday, December 14, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM ADULT: 58845
Reservations by calling:
Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation
253-931-3043
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* Saturday, Dec. 14
* 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
* Auburn Community and Event Center | 910 9th St. SE
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WRVM Family Day Celebrations
Join us after Breakfast with Santa for a fun filled holiday themed Family Day
Pop by the museum to explore different holiday traditions from around the world! We will have lots of crafts and activities, and we will have a few readings of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas!
All ages welcome!
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* Saturday, Dec. 14
* 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
* White River Valley Museum | 918 H Street Southeast
* Free (but please register)
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Evergreen City Ballet Presents: Wade Walthall's The Nutcracker with Live Orchestra
Evergreen City Ballet's Nutcracker brings the timeless holiday classic to life with enchanting choreography and a live orchestra. This magical performance promises to captivate audiences of all ages and create unforgettable holiday memories.
- December 14 at 1:30 pm (special 1 hour performance - perfect for young children and families!)
- December 14 at 7:00 pm
- December 15 at 1:30 pm
- December 15 at 5:00 pm
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* Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15
* Various times
* Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th St NE, Auburn
* Tickets ($25 - $52)
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Ted Vigil - A Rocky Mountain Christmas
Ted Vigil is a singer, songwriter, and John Denver tribute artist extraordinaire! He wows crowds, sells out theaters nationwide and has played twice for John Denver’s own “Windstar Foundation. Joined by professional musicians and the very talented Amanda Bacon, it is easy to imagine that you are watching John Denver himself! Join us as Ted performs many of John Denver’s greatest holiday and everyday hits.
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* Saturday, Dec. 14
* 7:30 p.m.
* Green River College - Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th St.
* Tickets ($27 regular, $24 student)
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An Inspirational Christmas With Elvis
Danny began singing along to his father’s Elvis albums at a very early age. Unaware of Presley's vast impact on American culture, but with a devout passion, Danny would sing and dance along to the King's music, trusting that one day he would recapture the magic of Elvis with his own stage show. Join Danny as he presents An Inspirational Christmas with Elvis - classic Elvis along with some great traditional Christmas selections. Make this Christmas tradition one of your own!
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* Saturday, Dec. 21
* 7:30 p.m.
* Green River College - Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th St.
* Tickets ($27 regular, $24 student)
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 Everyone can enjoy something at the Lighted Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony! Even if your heart needs to grow three sizes first!
 Auburn is rich with history — from historical Main Street to the artifacts preserved throughout White River Valley Museum — I am excited to share these stories with all of you each week.
(Image courtesy of White River Valley Museum)
Crepe paper has been a staple of party decorating since its introduction to the United States in the 1890s. We may be most used to seeing it used for party streamers, like the decorations at this 1933 Christmas Party at Auburn’s American Legion Post #78. The affordability and disposability of crepe paper have led it to be experimented with for many additional uses, including field wound dressing during World War I and disposable dresses for nurses to help stop the spread of communicable diseases in the 1920s.
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