From the 51st annual Holiday Tree Lighting to the Von Trapp Holiday Concert, Lake Oswego has a wonderful lineup of traditional and new activities to brighten your holiday season. There are so many, in fact, you’ll find them listed as part of a two-part series. Here is the first batch.

Keeping it Local. Authors and illustrators from the area will be scattered throughout the Lake Oswego Library on Sunday, November 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., sharing the stories behind their work and making it available for book lovers on your gift lift. Coffee, tea, and cookies will be provided. 706 Fourth Street. 503.636.7628.

Grapevine Denim Drive. Here is another opportunity to get into the holiday spirit of giving by supporting Grapevine Boutique‘s clothing drive for families and individuals in need served by Portland’s Sunshine Division. Bring your gently used denim and warm coats to the store between November 19-21 and receive 20% off any denim purchases made that day. Refreshments will be served and the AG Denim Trunk Show will be featured all weekend. Grapevine Boutique, 310 N. State Street, 503.635.6009.

Reunion Farmer’s Market. Local farms bring autumn’s bounty to downtown Lake Oswego. Enjoy shopping in the crisp fall air and pick up some fresh ideas for your Thanksgiving feast. Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Millennium Plaza Park, First and Evergreen.

Holiday Craft Workshop for ages 6-12. Materials and instructions will be on hand to make gifts, decorations, and cards. Pizza lunch included. Saturday, November 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department, 1500 Greentree Road. Register for Class 12223. $30/Resident; $45/Non-Resident. 503.675.2549

51st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy one of Lake Oswego’s longest standing traditions which includes tree lighting, caroling, treats, and a visit from the big guy decked out in red and white. Friday, November 27 at 5:30 p.m. Begins at Bigelow Plaza on the corner of 5th and A Avenue and proceeds down to Millennium Plaza Park.

Holiday Gift Show at Oswego Heritage House. Get your holiday shopping done early and local with selections that include hats, jewelry, puppets, wine and more. Santa will be on hand from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Oswego Heritage House. 398 10th Avenue. 503.635.6373.

Lakewood in Lights. This annual event features food, complimentary wine, entertainment, live and silent auctions and festive trees to benefit the rising star program at Lakewood Theatre Company. Wednesday, December 2, 5:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. Tickets are $75/person ($50 tax deductible) and can be purchased at the box office, online or by calling 503.635.3901.

Dennis’ 7 Dees Reindeer Magic. Bring the kids to pet baby reindeer and have their picture taken with Santa. They’ll also enjoy holiday craft activities, hot cocoa and cookies while you’ll enjoy shopping for holiday gifts and greens. Friday, December 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lake Oswego Garden Center, 1090 McVey Avenue. 503.636.4660.

Gingerbread House Workshop for ages 6-12. Chef Laura Content will help kids bake and decorate gingerbread houses and send them home with dough to bake. Held at Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Road. Register for Class #12323 for Saturday, December 5 or Class #12324 on Sunday, December 6, both from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. $52/Resident; $78/Non-Resident.

Teen Movie Matinee featuring Elf for grades 6 and up. Teens will get in the spirit of things with this holiday favorite on Saturday, December 5 at the Lake Oswego Public Library from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 706 Fourth Street. 503.675.2549.

Von Trapp Holiday Concert. The streets of Lake Oswego will be alive with the sound of music that has been handed down through the generations. Siblings Sofia, Melanie, Amanda and August are the great-grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp, who inspired the popular musical, The Sound of Music. Saturday, December 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lake Oswego High School auditorium, 2501 Country Club Road. General seat admission purchases can be made by visiting the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation website or calling 503.675.2549. $14 for children, ages 2-11; $20 for adults.

Holiday Magic Breakfast Theatre. Enjoy a special holiday continental breakfast ½ hour before the curtain goes up for this interactive production of The Peppermint Bear Show: The Taming of the Shoe featuring area high school student performers. Geared for ages 3-12. Saturdays, December 5, 12, and 19, and Sundays, December 13 and 20, at 9 and 11 a.m. in the Lakewood Center Community Meeting Room at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. Advance reservations are required by purchasing tickets either online, at the box office or by calling: 503.635.3901. Fee: $14/adults;$12/youth 18 and under

Let me know if I can help you in any way if you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Lake Oswego. As you can see, I love living here and as a Realtor in Lake Oswego, feel like I’m marketing more than homes…I’m selling a way of life!