Holiday in Hudson to include Santa visits, Wilber the camel’s return, choral performances and more

by Maddy Holman

Local holiday happenings this month are sure to charm children and adults alike, with something for everyone to indulge in the joy of the season.

The festivities kick off with Tinsel and Tidings, a free event at Christ Community Chapel, 750 W. Streetsboro St., on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2, from 5-8 p.m. Hudsonites can stroll an outdoor trail of 25 Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, each with a unique theme. The event will also feature refreshments, cookie decorating, a Christmas marketplace and a photo booth.

Don’t miss the chance to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will arrive at the restored Boy Scout Cabin on the Green on Saturday, Dec. 2. Tickets are required and are handed out at the Gazebo starting at 7:30 a.m. Also, the annual Winter Fireworks will take place in the evening of Dec. 2.

Sunday, Dec. 3, welcomes Hudson’s annual Holiday Walk complete with live shopfront window displays along Main Street, an appearance by Santa, horse-and-carriage rides, live music, children’s games and activities, a hot cocoa warm-up station and more.

In conjunction with the Holiday Walk, First Congregational Church of Hudson will host its Live Nativity, Dec. 3, from noon to 3 p.m., on the front lawn of the church, 47 Aurora St. Wilber the camel will be starring along with other animals and costumed volunteers. 

“Seeing children and adults wearing elaborate costumes while being surrounded by an assortment of different, live animals is incredible,” said Liz Yeakley, First Congregational’s director of children’s ministries and organizer of the Live Nativity. “It takes many helping hands to bring together the production each year. We love that the initial vision for the Live Nativity, 19 years ago, has grown to be a community-wide event where families look forward to viewing the Live Nativity as a part of their holiday tradition.”

Stay nearby for the Hudson Community Choruses annual holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m., at Christ Church Episcopal., 21 Aurora St. This year’s concert boasts a variety of traditional and contemporary pieces including Eric Whitacre’s “Glow.” The evening will feature adult, youth and children choruses, as well as a small chamber choir both separately and in joint performances. In addition, the choruses will join audience members in a festive singalong. For tickets and more information on the choruses, go to hudsonsings.org.

Tickets are also on sale for Case-Barlow Farm’s Tour of Trees, which includes a magical tour of a “forest of beautifully decorated trees inside our historic barn,” said organizer Jan Gusich. Tour of Trees, part of the farm’s month-long Winter Wonderland program, sparkles for all on Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16, from 4:30-7 p.m. Tickets include a festive scavenger hunt for farm-themed ornaments scattered throughout the trees. Visit casebarlow.com to align your “tree” time with special theme nights such as Nutcracker children’s ballet performances, Frozen sing-along night with Anna, Elsa and Olaf, and a Hudson Community Chorus night.

“It’s just unbelievable,” Gusich said. “There’s thousands and thousands of twinkle lights. Santa’s Sleigh is there, and kids walk in this big, historic barn and complete the scavenger hunt in the tree … and kids can make magic reindeer dust while they’re there. There’s beautiful holiday music playing, and it really gets you in the in the spirit of the holidays.”

All of the trees featured are decorated by nonprofits in Hudson, who compete for a chance to win up to up to $1,500 for their organization, according to Gusich. 

Visits with jolly old St. Nick are also part of the farm’s Winter Wonderland presentation. Youngsters will have the chance to sit with Santa and share their Christmas wishes while being surrounded by the twinkling holiday trees. Santa will be in the barn to spread Christmas magic on Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Get your fill of German goodies and keep an eye out for St. Nicholas and Krampus at the third annual Christkindlmarkt, which returns to the Clocktower and Gazebo greens Dec. 8-10. At this German street fair, visitors can sip on warm glühwein and apple cider and enjoy baked goods and other culinary delights while wandering through 30 booths featuring artisans and craftsmen from Hudson and beyond. Festival hours are Friday, Dec. 8, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, noon-8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10, noon-4 p.m. Visit hudson-landsberg.com for special holiday storytimes and event details.

Once again, First Congregational Church of Hudson will host its Live Nativity. The event takes place this year on Sunday, Dec. 3, from noon to 3 p.m., on the front lawn of the Aurora Street church. Photo submitted.

On our Cover (photo): Holiday magic abounds in Hudson with fun and festive community events. Read about many of the perennial favorites and some up-and-coming events. Photos provided.