Christmas events scheduled throughout the Valley

WASILLA —There are numerous holiday oriented events planned across the Mat-Su Valley this Christmas season.

Below is a compilation of community events.

Colony Christmas in downtown PalmerColony Christmas is a longstanding Palmer tradition that brings the whole community together for three days. Festivities start at 10 a.m. Friday and wrap up Sunday evening. There will be plenty of things for the whole family to do throughout each day that’s jam-packed with activities, contests, holiday shopping, contests, and donation opportunities.

The annual Parade of Lights begins at 5 p.m. Saturday. For a full schedule of Colony Christmas events, visit palmerchamber.org/colony-christmas

Christmas FactoryThe Christmas Factory elves are back and families can take their children on immersive tours through Santa’s magical, handcrafted workshop at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The factory is open until Dec. 23. To register online, visit akchristmas.com.

Holidays at the FarmThe Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center in Palmer is hosting a holiday themed open house from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the farm. There will be a range of activities including caroling, children’s games and activities, pin the nose on Olaf, a candy cane hunt, photo booth, tractor pictures, cookie decorating, ornament making, tree lighting and even a visit from Rudolph.

Caroling begins at 5:15 p.m. and the tree lighting starts at 5:30 p.m. Cooperative Extension agents and farm staff will be onsite to answer questions.

There will also be free Christmas cookies and hot chocolate served. The farm is located at 1509 South Georgeson Drive. For more information, call 907-745-3360.

Christmas on the FarmThe Williams Reindeer Farm is hosting their annual Christmas on the Farm event next weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children can see Santa before he takes off on his big flight on Christmas Eve.

Event activities included the following with admission: reindeer tours, pictures with Santa, black light “snowball” fight, reindeer train ride, crafts, tractor wagon rides (above 0 degrees), reindeer pull sled rides (depending on weather, sleds break below 0 degrees).

There will also be hot chocolate and goodies available for sale in the gift shop.

Admission is $11 for adults, $9 for children ages 3-11, $9 for seniors, and $9 for military. Children 2 and under are admitted for free. Tickets are available online at reindeerfarm.com.

2nd Annual Children’s Christmas PartyTriple J Roadhouse and Houston Alaska Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Children’s Christmas Party Sunday, Dec. 22 from 2 to 6 p.m. Special guests include Santa, Mrs. Clause, Elf, Mr. Grinch, Cindy Lou Who and the Abominable Snowman.

Children will be able to get pictures with Santa and receive gift bags. There will be games, prizes and karaoke. There will hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate, cookies, and candy. Everything is free for attending children. The event is located at 16966 W Parks Highway, Houston. For more information, call 907-892-3663 or email admin@triplejroadhouse.com.

The Alaskan NutcrackerSonja’s Studio of Performing Arts is performing the Alaskan Nutcracker at the Glenn Massay Theater Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 and 7 p.m. Friday tickets are sold out.

The public is invited to see the Christmas classic with all of the classic music of Tchaikovsky in an Alaskan setting.

Tickets are $20 for general admission. Mat-Su College students with a valid WolfCard get one free ticket. Box Office hours are Tuesday — Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets online, visit glennmassaytheater.com.

Rock and Roll Christmas on Ice Show and Santa appearance at MenardChildren will have the chance to meet Santa and catch a free ice show at the Menard Sports Center Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After children visit with Santa, they can decorate ornaments. There will also be free public skate after the ice show. The show starts at 1:30 p.m. and the public skate begins at 2:30 p.m. Admission and all activities are free for this event. For more information, call 907-357-9100.

Santa is coming to the American Legion Post 15Santa is coming to the American Legion Post 15 Saturday Dec. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be kid’s karaoke with Santa, games, food and prizes.

Christmas CarnivalAurora Equine Therapy is hosting a Christmas Carnival Friday, December 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. the Bluff Park Farm, located at 1988 West Fairview Loop, Wasilla. There will be pony rides, photos, petting zoo, games and a cupcake walk all inside a heated indoor arena.

This event is a collaboration between Aurora Borealis 4H, Silver Legacy Stables and Aurora Equine Therapy. For more information call 907-227-0406 or email info@auroraequinetherapy.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com