Holiday happenings

Editor's note: This is a partial list of holiday events available at press time. To search for or add a holiday event, go to www.semoevents.com.

Christmas Sing!

2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Sedgewickville Lutheran Church in Sedgewickville, Missouri

Join the church for favorite carols, special music and a good old-fashioned holiday celebration.

23rd annual Parade of Lights

5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, downtown Cape Girardeau

The parade begins at 5 p.m. or as soon as dusk arrives. The route starts at Capaha Park, proceeds down Broadway, turns right on Main Street and ends at Merriwether Street. Old Town Cape presents the event, and this year's theme is "Christmas Fun for Everyone."

Immaculate Conception Church Music Ministry Christmas concert

6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson

The church's Advent/Christmas Christmas concert features the adult choir, choristers and the Bells of Joy Ringers. Special guests will be the Heartland Pops Chorus.

Downtown Christmas Open House

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, downtown Cape Girardeau

Old Town Cape presents a night of Christmas fun. There will be carolers and sleigh rides, sweet treats and holiday specials, and a host of festive cheer will help ring in the Christmas season. Bring your family

and friends down to experience the excitement of the annual Downtown Christmas Open House.

LFCS Holiday Home Tour

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

See how other folks decorate for the holidays with the Lutheran Family and Children's Services Holiday Home Tour. The houses featured on the tour range from historic to new construction, but they're all decked out for Christmas. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 the day of the tour. Tickets are available at America's Mattresses; Bank of Missouri locations in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville and Marble Hill, Missouri; Patrick Furniture; Southeast Hospital gift shop; Sunny Hill Garden Center; the LFCS office and www.lfcsmo.org. Call 573-334-5866 for more information.

Chaffee Christmas Parade

1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Chaffee Head Start, Chaffee, Missouri

The parade begins at the Head Start parking lot on North Main Street and ends at the Country C.B. building.

Jackson Christmas Parade

3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, uptown Jackson

The theme for this year's parade is "Jackson through the years." We hear Santa is going to be in attendance!

Scott City lighted Christmas parade

5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Scott City

"Tropical Christmas" is the theme for this year's Scott City Park and Scott City Fire Department. The parade will begin at Bob's Foodliner parking lot and end at the city park, where refreshments will be served by the fire department. The Scott City Elementary Honor Choir will be on stage singing Christmas carols. There will also be awards going to the first, second and third place floats.

13th Annual Happy Slapowitz Toy Bash

6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, various locations in downtown Cape Girardeau

The Happy Slapowitz Toy Bash is the largest local toy drive for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. This year's event features nine bands at eight venues with food provided by Smokin Brothers BBQ. For more details on the events, including the bands and locations, visit www.facebook.com/happyslapowitz.

Charleston Christmas Parade

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, Main Street, Charleston, Missouri

After the parade down Main Street in Charleston, there will be activities at the Mississippi County Historical Society and local shops.

Christmas Country Church Tour

3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 19

More than 20 churches in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties will deck their halls and invite visitors inside for Christmas music and refreshments. Churches can be toured in any order. For a list of churches, visit the events section at www.immanuelnewwells.org.

CRAFT FAIRS

Get a head start on your holiday shopping, and find some one-of-a-kind items, at local arts and craft shows:

> 19th annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 22; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23

Notre Dame Regional High School

Admission: $1

> 44th annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Osage Centre and the Show Me Center

Admission: $5 Saturday (good for both days and both locations), $3 Sunday (good for both locations).

> 38th annual River Valley Craft Fair

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23.

Arena Building, 4-H Building at Arena Park

Admission: $5 Saturday, $3 Sunday

> Second annual Plowshares Sale

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

Abbey Road Christian Church, Cape Girardeau

JUST FOR KIDS

Call the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department to register for these events just for kids -- the number is 573-339-6340.

Christmas Gift Workshop

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, Osage Centre

Kids ages 5 to 10 will make a Christmas gift. Cost is $8 for Cape Girardeau residents and $10 for nonresidents. Each attendee should bring a photo of the person who will receive the gift.

Cookies for Santa

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, Osage Centre

Kids ages 4 to 7 will make Christmas cookies for Santa while listening to the classic tale of "The Night Before Christmas." Register by Dec. 1; the cost is $10 for Cape Girardeau residents and $11 for nonresidents.

Merry Christmas to All

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, Osage Centre

Kids ages 5 to 12 will make Christmas cards for those in nursing homes and senior centers throughout Cape Girardeau. Register by Dec. 2; cost is $2 for Cape Girardeau residents and $3 for nonresidents.

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, Arena Building

Bring your flashlights and help find the hidden candy canes. Bring your flashlights and help us find them! When you arrive, you get to decorate a bag to collect the candy canes. After the candy canes are collected, there will be cookies and hot chocolate and children can make a Christmas list for Santa. Parent must accompany children. Please dress according to weather.

Breakfast with Santa

9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Osage Centre

Santa is making a special stop for breakfast in Cape Girardeau. Parents and kids are invited visit with Santa and enjoy a yummy breakfast. If preregistered, the cost is $5 per child, $5 per adult, $8 for two children or $11 for three children. The cost is $8 per person the day of the event. Parents, don't forget your camera!