Join us for a month of holiday activities, starting with the annual NRH Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 1.
NRH Christmas Tree Lighting
Thursday, Dec. 1
Join us to kick off the Christmas season with the NRH Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 1 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in Stormy Plaza Park, 9010 Grand Avenue. In addition to the tree lighting and a spectacular drone light show, SANTA will be visiting with families and posing for photos. There will also be crafts for youngsters to make and take, carolers singing beneath the tree, hot chocolate available for purchase, and a free outdoor holiday movie screening.
Holiday Lights on Hawk Avenue
Dec. 1 – Jan. 2
Take a stroll down Hawk Avenue to enjoy thousands of twinkling lights, the city’s 46-foot-tall Christmas Tree and other holiday scenery. The lights come on nightly at dusk, about 5:30 p.m. The area provides many opportunities for your holiday photos, so don’t forget your camera!
Run Run Rudolph Family Fun 5K Run & Walk
Saturday, Dec. 3 | 8:30 a.m.
The annual Run Run Rudolph 5K event provides a great opportunity for families and friends to share their holiday spirit and enjoy fitness and fun. This run benefits the Children's Literacy at the NRH Library and the NRH Animal Adoption & Rescue Center. It is an un-timed run, all for holiday fun. Participants are encouraged to dress in fun and festive holiday attire! Register online by Nov. 20 for the best price.
Pinterest Party: String Art Ornaments
Saturday, Dec. 3 | 11 a.m.
Join us for an hour of crafting for adults at the NRH Library and create cute, rustic, string-art ornaments using wood slices and a few household materials. For ages 18+. Registration is required.
Holiday Open House at Iron Horse Golf Course
Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 5 p.m.
Iron Horse Golf Course is hosting a Holiday Open House from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop by to enjoy hors-d'oeuvres, beverages, raffles, pictures with Santa and an end-of-year merchandise sale.
Cricut Holiday Card Making
Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 5:30 p.m.
Learn how to use a Cricut Maker, a computer-controlled cutting machine used for a variety of projects and materials, while creating custom holiday cards. You’ll learn techniques to make beautiful handmade cards perfect for the holidays and much more! For ages 13+. Registration is required.
Trim the Tree with Santa
Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 4 p.m.
Santa Claus is coming to the NRH Library and is excited to read some stories with you! After the stories are finished, you're invited to stick around and craft some paper ornaments to help us decorate our children's tree! Stories and crafts are geared toward ages 3-6, but all ages are welcome.
Keep NRH Beautiful Christmas Lighting Contest Entry Deadline
Friday, Dec. 9 | 3 p.m.
If you love Christmas lights like Clark Griswold, then you should enter Keep NRH Beautiful's annual Christmas Lighting Contest. Nominations will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Friday, December 9. Judging will take place on Sunday, December 11 and Monday, December 12, so make sure your lights are on both evenings. Nine winners will be announced Tuesday, December 13. View the contest rules and entry form.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 10 | 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
It's one of the most memorable events of the season! Enjoy a hot breakfast and visit with Santa inside the C.A. Sanford Clubhouse at Iron Horse Golf Course, 6200 Skylark Circle. Breakfast will be served on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 9:00 a.m. and at 11:00 a.m. Reservations are required. The price is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children under 12. Kids 3 and under are free. Please bring your own camera for photos with Santa. Contact Iron Horse Golf Course at ironhorsegc@kempersports.com or 817-485-6666 to reserve your seats.
Make-It/Take It Craft: Jingle Bell Bracelet
Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 4 p.m.
Drop by the NRH Library for a fun craft for ages three and up! This month we'll be making a festive jingle bell bracelet. One craft per child; supplies are provided. This is a come-and-go event, so drop by anytime from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Pinterest Party: Alcohol Ink Ornaments
Saturday, Dec. 17 | 11 a.m.
Join us at the NRH Library for an hour of crafting for adults and create a unique glass ornament with a watercolor-like effect using alcohol ink! For ages 18+. Registration is required.
Bell Conte Ringers Concert
Monday, Dec. 19 | 6 p.m.
Get into the holiday spirit with the Friends of the NRH Library and the Bell Conte Ringers! The Bell Conte Ringers are an accomplished bell choir with the Arlington Heights United Methodist Church. This ticketed event kicks off the Friends of the NRH Library's fundraising efforts to install art in the children's area at the Library. Tickets are $25 each, and all proceeds will go to the Friends of the NRH Library to fund this project to help create a welcoming environment for children and families to read together. Tickets are available at https://friendsofnrhlibrary.org/events.
Winter Reading Challenge
Nov. 28 - Dec. 31
Warm up at your NRH Library this winter! Stop by the Library for a festive Winter Reading Challenge bookmark to keep track of any books you read and Library activities you attend from Nov. 28-Dec. 31. Once your bookmark is full, drop it off at the Library to be entered into a drawing for a cozy gift basket for children, teens, or adults!
Holiday Giving Opportunities
If you’re wanting to help local families in need this holiday season, consider making a donation to the NRH Toy & Food Drive or the Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge.
- Toy & Food Drive - New, unwrapped toys and boxed or canned food can be dropped off at any NRH Fire Station or the Public Safety lobby at City Hall through Christmas. Donations are given to the Community Enrichment Center who distributes them to needy families in the community.
- Red Kettle Challenge - Mayor Oscar Trevino is competing against mayors of other area cities to see who can raise the most money for the Salvation Army this holiday season. If you would like help, you can donate through the Mayor’s virtual red kettle link or by texting NRH to 71777. Helpers will also be ringing the bell at some of our local stores on Dec. 10. All donations help the Salvation Army assist local families in need at Christmas time and throughout the year.
Whether you give to one of these charities or another of your choosing, we thank you for giving back to the community!