Lighting the Way for Christmas

With Thanksgiving just completed, it's beginning to look a little more like Christmas, to modify a holiday carol just a bit.

Many around the Lower Macungie Patch have taken advantage of some recent warm weather to string lights and place other decorations on and around their homes. employees have erected the familiar white snowflakes on utility poles and swapped banners to wish passers-by seasons greetings.

But to more officially kick off the Christmas season, public tree-lighting ceremonies have been set. Lower Macungie Patch lists one large ceremony in each of the three municipalities it serves but welcomes other organizations to list theirs as well.

Macungie: Tuesday, Nov. 29

* Tree-lighting Ceremony at the , 6:30 p.m. Includes holiday music and light refreshments. 

The borough offers Macungie Holiday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 10. Events include Breakfast with Santa at , "Nutcracker Highlights" performed by Coral's Academy of Dance at , train displays at the , horse-drawn wagon rides in , a gingerbread contest and display at and a children's holiday party with Santa at . , see Macungie Holiday.

Lower Macungie: Friday, Dec. 2

* Tree-lighting Ceremony at, 6528 Hamilton Blvd., 7 p.m. Includes refreshments and family activities.

Alburtis: Sunday, Dec. 4

* Tree-lighting Ceremony and contest winner, Main and School streets, 6:15 p.m. Includes free hot chocolate and cookies. For the full list of events, see the Alburtis Holiday Festival flier.

This event is part of the Alburtis Holiday Festival, a series of day-long events including Breakfast with Santa and Kids Craft Corner at the , a pet parade and costume contest, Santa photos at the , a holiday dinner at the community Center and a holiday concert performed by the Men and Women A Capella Groups at the fire company pavilion.