For the first time in a few years, folks are able to celebrate the holidays in proper fashion and Sunnyvale and Cupertino venues are stepping up with some holly jolly events.
SCS open house
Sunnyvale Community Services is opening its doors Nov. 29 for Giving Tuesday tours of its facility at 1160 Kern Ave. The tours run every 15 minutes from 3-4:45 p.m., and participants can learn how SCS prevents homelessness and hunger in the local community. A live auction follows from 5-7 p.m., featuring a wine pull and a raffle.
Attendees are asked to wear a mask and bring proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination status. Those taking the tour should wear closed-toed shoes without high heels.
Register for a tour time slot at https://svcommunityservices.org/events-scs-open-house.
Holiday tree lighting
The Sunnyvale Downtown Association and the City of Sunnyvale are hosting the 23rd annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration Dec. 3, 5-7:30 p.m., along Murphy Avenue.
The event will feature performances by DanceAttack! and Sunnyvale School District Choir. Mayor Larry Klein unveil the inaugural Sunnyvale gingerbread village, a project led by the Sunnyvale Arts Commission. The event is set to end with the arrival of the Caltrain Holiday Train.
Nineteen Orchestra
The Nineteen Orchestra, under the baton of Gus Kambeitz, will play jazzy renditions of holiday songs Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Community Theater, 550 E. Remington Drive. The jazz orchestra will be accompanied by vocalists from the Sunnyvale Community Players, including president Sam Elder and vice president Aaron Weisberg.
The family-friendly concert will also feature raffle prizes, a silent auction and free treats at intermission. Tickets are $15-$30 at https://www.sunnyvaleplayers.org.
Sunnyvale Singers
Their numbers may be down, but the Sunnyvale Singers made it through the pandemic and will be performing a holiday concert is on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m., at the Sunnyvale Community Theater, 550 E. Remington Drive. The community chorus numbers about 40 singers, down from about 75 pre-pandemic but up from a low of 25.
Unlike last year’s holiday concert, “Magic in the Air” will be performed indoors. Tickets are $20 at Eventbrite.com.
Cupertino events
The Quinlan Community Center, located at 10185 N. Stelling Road, is ground zero for holiday happenings in Cupertino.
Things kick off with the lighting of the community tree on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. After the tree lighting, families will be able to visit Santa, take festive photos, watch a classic holiday movie and enjoy hot cocoa. For more information, visit cupertino.org/treelighting.
Breakfast with Santa is set for Saturday, Dec. 3, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Santa will be posing for pictures while the elves cook up delicious North Pole pancakes. After breakfast, join the elves in the workshop for holiday crafts and letter writing to Santa. Register at cupertino.org/breakfastwithsanta.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families are invited to spend time and share their wish list with a Santa who’s fluent in sign language Saturday, Dec. 10, 2-4 p.m. Register at bit.ly/3REIErq.
Families can register for the Santa Visits program and have Santa, his elf and the Santamobile make an outdoor appearance at their homes Dec. 10-11 and 16-18. Visits are for Cupertino residents only and are available in 15-minute increments. To register in person, stop by the recreation office at the Quinlan Community Center. For more information, call 408-777-3120 or visit cupertino.org/santavisits.
The Cupertino Symphonic Band is hosting its annual holiday concert Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. at the Quinlan Community Center. Admission is free. Donations of canned goods will benefit West Valley Community Services. Per Santa Clara County Health guidelines, masks and vaccines are recommended. For more information, visit www.cupertinosymphonicband.org.
Source: www.mercurynews.com