• Submitted
• SANTA!

We've barely shoved Halloween back into the closet and the sugary-sweet shock of Christmas music wafting from radios and in stores hits us. It's not quite time to put the Elf on the Shelf or the Menorah on the mantle, but things are about to get lit. Eureka and Arcata Main Street organizations help get us in the mood.

In Eureka, Santa Visits Old Town, Friday, Nov. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Old Town Gazebo (free). The jolly old elf and his helpers arrive by fire truck with bags of treats for the youngsters. Santa will also be at the gazebo and roaming the area on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (it's also Small Business Saturday if you're into shopping local) and Sunday, Nov. 25 from noon to 3 pm. The big guy will be around Old Town Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m each week until Dec. 23.

Across the bay in Arcata on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 3 to 9 p.m. the Festival of Lights transforms downtown Arcata into a twinkling winter wonderland with the arrival of the Snowflake Queen and her magical friends on the Arcata Plaza (free). Frozen's Elsa and Olaf will also be there, along with Scrooge, live music, local arts and craft vendors, free popcorn and hot chocolate, and photo ops for the kids. Shops will be open late on this aforementioned Small Business Saturday. And in December, more seasonal surprises are in store as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive Dec. 7 at Arcata Main Street's Holiday Open House. Keep checking the Journal for more info on that.