Here comes Santa Claus for pancakes and more!

Photos by Donna Kupke.

Everyone knows Santa Claus arrives by sleigh and reindeer to deliver his Christmas bounty; but Canyon Lakers have a little secret other communities don’t share. Santa thinks Canyon Lake is so beautiful, with so many wonderful children and helper elves, he arrives by boat for a special visit every December to enjoy Pancake Breakfast with the kids and their families.

Breakfast with Santa will take place tomorrow, December 5, between 9 and 11 a.m. at the North Ski Pavilion. Thanks to the hospitality of the Canyon Lake Ski Club, children will be able to eat pancakes and sit on Santa’s lap for free, but parents should bring their own cameras to take pictures. (Sorry parents, the pancakes are for children only.)

But hold on to your hats and mittens! That won’t be Santa’s only appearance this weekend. He’ll also show up on Saturday evening at the Canyon Lake Towne Center and on Sunday evening at the Lodge!

Towne Center Winter Carnival

Look for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive at the Towne Center Winter Carnival and Tree-Lighting tomorrow, December 5, in front of the POA/ City Hall building. The event will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m.; Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to arrive at 5:15.

This free community-wide event, hosted by the Family Matters Club, will include photos with Santa, train rides, horse carriage rides, game truck, petting zoo, live animal manger, holiday crafts, carnival games, face painting, gingerbread house-building, falling “snow” and entertainment.

A DJ will be playing holiday favorites, with additional entertainment provided by the Choraleers, the Twirlers, the Royal Court, Limitless Dance and more. Enjoy cookies and cocoa, along with a vendor shopping area and prize drawing.

Lodge Tree-Lighting Festival

The 34th annual Tree-Lighting Festival will be held Sunday, December 6, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge. Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to arrive at 5:30.

Co-sponsored by the Jr. Women’s Club and POA, festivities will include entertainment, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, balloon artist, bounce houses, Red Baron airplane rides, ornament decorating, prize drawing, cocoa, cookies and other food vendors.

Entertainment will be provided by Little Learners, JDI Dance, the Royal Court and the Choraleers. All activities will take place outside, so dress accordingly.

Feeling blessed and want to help others this season? Girls Scouts will be collecting donations for Animal Friends of the Valleys. The Jr. Women’s Club will be collecting canned food and coats for its annual drive.

Menorah-Lighting Ceremony

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Rededication, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. This year, the celebration of Hanukkah begins on December 6. The celebration will conclude December 14.

The City and the Torah Club will hold a lighting of the 1st candle in the Menorah on Monday, December 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the Canyon Lake Municipal Building. Everyone is invited.

Golf Cart Parade and Toy Drive

Two parades will cruise the waterways and streets of Canyon Lake next weekend: the Parade of Light boat parade on Saturday and the Golf Cart Parade and Toy Drive on Sunday.

The annual Golf Cart Parade will be on Sunday, December 13, starting at 6 p.m. at Blue Bird Hall. Anyone who would like to be involved should line up at 5 p.m. at Blue Bird Hall with a lighted, decorated golf cart and an unwrapped toy.

The parade will travel on Canyon Lake Dr. South and North, from Blue Bird Hall almost to the East Gate. It will turn around at Windward Dr., then head back to Lodge for the presentation of awards. Spectators are invited to give unwrapped toys to those in the parade collecting them. Last year, awards were given for Best Theme, Most Outrageous and Best Lights.