Small Town Holidays Kicks Off with Plaid Friday; Santa's Arrival

Santa arrives in Chelan on Friday; in Manson on Saturday

information released; photos courtesy of Lake Chelan Chamber & LCN archives

Enjoy the holiday season this year with Small Town Holidays — a festive celebration of fun, food and family that extends throughout the Lake Chelan Valley from Thanksgiving until New Year’s.

Check out the Thanksgiving Weekend highlights listed below, and visit smalltownholidays.com for more information about scheduled activities through the end of the year.

Plaid Friday (11/28) – starts at 6:00 a.m.

Residents and visitors are invited to help kick off the Small Town Holiday festivities in the Lake Chelan Valley on Friday November 28th with Plaid Friday — a celebration of LOCAL shopping options.

Plaid Friday is an alternative to Black Friday; Plaid Friday encourages people to do their holiday shopping with locally owned and independent businesses. The plaid pattern represents the weaving of individual threads of small businesses together to create the strong fabric that celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses.

Starting bright and early at 6am, shoppers will hit the town to support local businesses. Check out the many deals featured all around the Lake Chelan Valley, and don’t forget to wear your best plaid… it might even score you a better deal!

Check the Small Town Holiday page for Plaid Friday Deals!

Christmas Carols (11/28) – 5:30 p.m. / Santa Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting – 6:00 p.m.

Get ready for Santa’s arrival in Historic Downtown Chelan! Sing carols, get your picture taken, and take in the holiday spirit all around.

Families and friends gather at the corner of Woodin and Emerson in downtown Chelan at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy a mini concert by BassICally with classic holiday carols.

At 6:00 p.m., Santa will parade through town, arriving just in time to light the Christmas Tree!

Plan all your Small Town Holiday activities at the Lake Chelan Chamber website.

Elf Day with Shop Small Saturday Specials (11/29) – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Elves are taking over Historic Downtown Chelan, starting with free coffee, cocoa and donuts at the Chelan Fire Station.

Small Business Saturday is more than just a holiday shopping day, it’s a celebration of the Shop Local Movement, supporting small businesses that are the heart of our communities.

Join the Elf Hunt through downtown shops with Shop Small Saturday specials. Make crafts, decorate cookies, enjoy storytime with an elf, carolers, twinkling windows, and a festive Storywalk. Cheer on the Gingerbread House Contest for charity, catch a free Elf Family Matinee at the Ruby Theatre, then wrap up the day with dinner under glowing lights.

When you shop at a family-owned frame shop or choose a handcrafted ring from a favorite online artisan, you’re not just making a purchase; you’re fueling local dreams, boosting neighborhood economies, and contributing to a more vibrant, connected community.

Check the Small Town Holiday page for Small Business Deals!

Manson Village of Lights – November 29 – January 25

This decades long tradition always kicks off on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, and extends through the New Year into late January.

Saturday’s festivities begin at the Manson Grange Holiday Extravaganza at 9:00 a.m. for some unique hand-crafted items for everyone on your shopping list. Then pop over to the Mountain View Lodge where families can write letters to Santa. These hand-written wish lists will be delivered in person when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive via helicopter at Leffler Field at noon.

The fun continues with a parade down the main street of Manson led by Santa and Mrs. Claus in their sleigh to light the Christmas tree, followed by photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Radiance Winery & Coffee from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

This is just the beginning of a full array of activities, events, and special deals celebrating Manson’s Annual Village of Lights. For a complete list of activities, visit moretomanson.com