A Great Small Town Christmas

The Greater Oakland Business Association in partnership with the Oakland Renaissance Committee have announced a series of town events throughout the holiday season, from Nov. 23 through Dec. 17. The activities range from music performances to visits with Santa, special store discounts, a tree-lighting, the Joy of Christ celebration, and more. The annual Joy of Christ Celebration, which offers free concerts each evening for a week, plus free food and gifts, will be held this year from Monday, Dec. 4, to Friday, Dec. 8 at the Oakland Community Center, located along 8th Street. The evenings of entertainment will each start at 6:30 p.m. On every Saturday from Nov. 25 through Dec. 16, events will take place downtown from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Soup and Santa, which consists of nonprofit organization representatives giving out soup throughout the town, will be offered, and carolers will sing at various times during the four hours.