CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – The holidays are upon us, and Citrus Heights is all set to begin the end of the year festivities!

 The Citrus Heights Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on a new day this year on the 1st Wednesday of December. Please note that the city has shifted to Wednesday instead of Thursday as of 2021 to allow families to enjoy tree lightings in surrounding cities such as Fair Oaks and Rocklin.

 Rain or shine, the evening begins at City Hall with Santa and Mayor Steve Miller pulling the light switch, followed by holiday traditions such as pictures with Santa, cookies and hot cocoa, vendors, activities for children, and more! The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band will again delight listeners with a full program of holiday music.

 Operation Holiday Cheer (OHC) Program

Operation Holiday Cheer (OHC), formerly known as “Holiday Referral Program” is a partnership between the City of Citrus Heights, the Citrus Heights Police Department, local service clubs, businesses, community members, and schools. This is their 13th year of providing assistance to Citrus Heights families who have experienced a hardship over the last year.  

 OHC is entirely funded by generous donations from people like you. Under the direction of the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD), more community involvement is being sought to free up officers and staff for their regular duties. They are currently seeking more nominations, adopter families and people to donate much needed items such as gifts items, nonperishable food items, gift cards, household supplies, and new, unwrapped toys.

 This year the Rotary Club is putting together food boxes, the Soroptimist Club is creating 100 stockings for family members, Kiwanis Club and GFWC Citrus Heights Women’s Club are helping with the application and food and gift drop-off process. More help is needed to staff the gift and food drop-off area.  To help with this, volunteers are needed at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Wednesday, November 17. No registration needed, just come by to help, as much as you can. Donated gifts and other items will be matched to the wish lists of participating families. Remember to pick something up to donate during your Black Friday bargain hunting.

 Families who benefit from the program must be nominated by someone else - neighbors, friends, counselors, teachers, etc.  Self-referrals are not accepted. For the Application for Referral and to view videos of prior events go to ‘Operation Holiday Cheer Citrus Heights or email [email protected].

 The application deadline is November 22. Gift and food drop off at City Hall is from November 17 to December 15. Families will pick up their gifts, food boxes and stockings on December 16. The Sayonara Youth Center will again be visited by Santa and all his CHPD and other community elves.

  Citrus Town Center: Dashing Through the Snow December 4 from 1p.m. to 3 p.m.

A treat for the kids continues at the Citrus Town Center’s KiDTOPiA. Kids Club will be meeting to celebrate the holidays where you can meet Santa in his magical village filled with holiday characters including our dancing bear, toy soldiers, Frosty and more. Tell Santa everything you are dreaming of for Christmas this year. If you are very good, he just might fill Christmas day with all your wishes. $1 donations being accepted for Santa Visits with all proceeds be donated to Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team *(HART).

 Our festive holiday fairies will twist up some fancy balloon animals. Don’t forget to stop by the craft station and scratch out your own creative design to take home and hang on your Christmas tree – it’s an afternoon you won’t want to miss.

 Wander through the 20-foot inflatable zone where you can take a selfie with the Grinch, Frosty and a few other special guests. When you complete your journey through our fun inflatables stop by our DJ booth and meet up with DJ-San-T-Claus for a holiday dance party. We are giving away fun prizes and candy and other surprises.

 KiDTOPiA Kids Club takes place the second Saturday of each month at Citrus Town Center; you will find us the Fountain in front of Round Table Pizza and Once Upon a Child. Each club meeting includes a special guest appearance, a lesson & learning experience and fun activities.

 For more information regarding this event or anything marketing contact Kim Kelley 916-235-9396 or email: [email protected].

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 *Hart will be operating their overnight Winter Sanctuary program from December 26, 2021 through March 5, 2022. Host churches are needed. Call 916-220-3615 or email [email protected].