‘Tis the season for shopping and gifting and baking and caroling and card-sending and traveling and visiting…but also ‘tis the season to be holidaying and there are lots of opportunities to revel in the season during the month of December in Lake Oswego. Take a look:

ELF THE MUSICAL. This hilarious fish-out-of-water musical follows Buddy the Elf in search of his father. Faced with the harsh reality that his dad is on the naughty list, Buddy wins over his birth family and helps New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Runs November 4 through December 18. Tickets online : $42/Adults; $40/Seniors; $25/Students. 368 S. State Street.

TINSELTOWN TROLLEY. While all the rides are sold out for this year’s lineup, I’m listing it here to show you the variety of activities Lake Oswego has to offer and to remind you to be one of the early birds next year to register for this yuletide delight complete with holiday lights, sweet treats, carols and a special visit from a North Pole guest.

REINDEER MAGIC. There are a few tickets left for the afternoon session (morning session is sold out) where you and your kids can enjoy the festive atmosphere at Lake Oswego’s Dennis’ 7 Dees complete with reindeer, Santa and fun activities. Tickets are $9 or $25 which includes a picture with Santa and two digital download prints. Vendor activities are extra. Sunday, December 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 1090 McVey Avenue.

OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE. Find something unique, handmade and local at this annual event featuring local craftsmen, artists and author, Riley Costello (my daughter). Wednesday, December 7 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 398 10^th Street.

HOLIDAY SIP AND SHOP. Combine two of your favorite things–sipping holiday beverages and shopping at some of our downtown merchants. Enter a raffle after visiting each vendor including Grapevine, Mapel, glassybaby, Lucky Me, Wishbone Home and Design and our downtown office, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty at 310 N. State Street, #102. Wednesday, December 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

ELF JR. Back by popular demand, Elf Jr is a one-hour condensed, author-approved version of the full-length musical tailored to the talent of young actors and young audiences. The story follows Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Performances on December 10 and December 17 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tickets are available online: Adults/$15; Youth/$12. 368 S. State Street.

PEPPERMINT BEAR – THE TAMING OF THE SHOE. The Peppermint Bear show is a Lakewood Theatre Company classic that families have enjoyed for years. This year’s version centers around a problem with Santa’s toy-making machinery right during crunch time with Christmas right around the corner. Performances on December 10 and 11 at 11:00 a.m.; December 17 and 18 at 11:00 a.m. and December 20-23 at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Tickets are available online: Adults $15; Youth $12. Side Door Stage, Lakewood Center, 368 S. State Street.

WEST LINN HOLIDAY PARADE. Get out your ugly holiday sweaters and get lost in the like-minded crowd in the annual West Linn Ugly Sweater Parade. Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. Starts at 10th and Willamette Falls Drive. Register online.

CHRISTMAS SHIPS PARADE. While the Christmas Ships Trolley is already sold out, you can still catch the festive sight by showing up at one of the Lake Oswego viewing spots when the combined fleets make their way to our shores. Saturday, December 17. Ships usually start showing up around 6:00 p.m. at viewing points: Foothills Park, 199 Foothills Drive, Roehr Park, 350 Oswego Pointe Drive, and George Rogers Park, 611 S. State Street. 503.675.2549.

PENNY’S PUPPETS PRESENTS THE GINGERBREAD MAN. Enjoy a special presentation of Penny’s Puppets with this holiday show followed by holiday crafts and play time for ages 0-5. Parent participation required. Register online. Residents $22/ Non-Residents $33. December 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Road.

THE CHANCE FOR SNOW. Yes, we have had white Christmases before so dream on! It could happen and that would be just one more thing we love about Lake Oswego in December.

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