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Marion’s annual Christmas in the Park celebration promises an evening of family fun on Friday, Dec. 6, from 4-8 p.m. in Uptown Marion. Activities will be held throughout the Uptown area while construction continues on the Central Plaza in City Square Park. The event will welcome the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at 4 p.m., escorted by the Marion Fire and Police Departments. Visits with Santa will immediately follow indoors at Modern Valley Hair Company, 1104 7th Avenue. Children are encouraged to bring their letters to place in Santa’s mailbox. The Community Peace Tree will be lit in a special ceremony at 6 p.m. In addition, attendees will enjoy popcorn and hot cocoa, while supplies last. Musical performances by the Montessori School of Marion, Heart of Marion Community Choir, and Trinity Presbyterian Singers are scheduled throughout the night along with character appearances by Adorable Princess Parties. Donations of new hats, mittens, blankets, or socks will be accepted for the Keep Your Neighbors Warm campaign. Bring donations the night of the event or deliver them to the Marion Chamber of Commerce office, 1070 7th Avenue, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 9. In addition, Uptown Marion Main Street will host the Peppermint Walk, a holiday shopping event. The Peppermint Walk will feature over 35 Uptown Marion businesses decked out for the holidays. Horse-drawn carriage rides will also return to the event. To help offset costs, a suggested free will donation of $5 per person is encouraged. Rides will load and unload along 7th Avenue north of the park. Due to the event activity in the Uptown Marion area, drivers are reminded to use caution and yield to pedestrians and the carriages. As part of the event, 7th Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. and will reopen to traffic at 9 p.m. following the event. Christmas in the Park and the Peppermint Walk is presented by the Marion Chamber of Commerce and Uptown Marion Main Street. This is a free community event thanks to Marion Chamber Platinum Community Partners – Farmers State Bank, ImOn Communications, MercyCare Community Physicians, Summit Pointe Senior Living, and Z102.9 with support from the Marion Hotel/Motel Grant program. See the schedule below for full details. 2024 Schedule of Events Arrival of Santa Claus | 4 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to Uptown Marion on 7th Avenue. Visit Santa | 4-8 p.m. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at Modern Valley Hair Company, 1104 7th Avenue! Letters to Santa | Nov. 30-Dec. 24 - Drop your letter in Santa’s mailbox next to the tree. Letters with a return address dropped by Dec. 17 will receive a response from Santa. Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides | 4-8 p.m. Create a special memory by taking a horse-drawn ride around Uptown Marion. Carriages will load on7th Avenue adjacent to City Square Park. A free will donation of $5 per person is encouraged. Peace Tree Lighting | 6 p.m. Join us for lighting of Marion’s Peace Tree in City Square Park. Caroling | 5 p.m. Enjoy a performance by students from the Montessori School of Marion in the North Plaza. Adorable Princess Visit | 5-7 p.m. Visit the princesses in person and pose for a photo. Caroling | 5:30 p.m. Join the Heart of Marion Community Choir for a sing-along in the North Plaza. Caroling | 6:15 p.m. Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes with the Trinity Presbyterian Carolers. Library | 4-8 p.m. Check out the new bookmobile, enjoy hot chocolate and music by Marion Big Band at the Marion Public Library, 1101 6th Avenue. The library will remain open until 8 p.m. Candyland Alley | 4-8 p.m. Step into Candyland Alley at the Uptown Artway! Experience the magic of over 40,000 sparkling lights, including mesmerizing tunnels, cascading waterfalls, glowing orbs, and shooting meteors. Sip on free hot cocoa (while supplies last) as you stroll through this whimsical wonderland. The light display will remain up through the end of the holiday season. Family Fun Activities | 4-8 p.m. Enjoy traditional event activities including holiday music, popcorn from El Kahir Shrine and hot cocoa in the Uptown Artway while supplies last. Bring a new, cold-weather item for the Keep Your Neighbors Warm drive. Look for all our festive photo ops throughout the event for the perfect picture! Peppermint Walk | 4-8 p.m. Visit over 35 participating Uptown Marion merchants, restaurants and businesses during this special holiday open house. Stores will be decked with holiday lights, decorations and music making this a great complement to the event activities. Present a receipt from a purchase made during the event at any Uptown Marion business and be registered to win a $50 Uptown Dollars certificate valid at participating Uptown businesses. Receipts can be presented at the Marion Chamber & Uptown Marion office, 1070 7th Avenue.
Marion’s annual Christmas in the Park celebration promises an evening of family fun on Friday, Dec. 6, from 4-8 p.m. in Uptown Marion. Activities will be held throughout the Uptown area while construction continues on the Central Plaza in City Square Park.
The event will welcome the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at 4 p.m., escorted by the Marion Fire and Police Departments. Visits with Santa will immediately follow indoors at Modern Valley Hair Company, 1104 7th Avenue. Children are encouraged to bring their letters to place in Santa’s mailbox.
The Community Peace Tree will be lit in a special ceremony at 6 p.m. In addition, attendees will enjoy popcorn and hot cocoa, while supplies last. Musical performances by the Montessori School of Marion, Heart of Marion Community Choir, and Trinity Presbyterian Singers are scheduled throughout the night along with character appearances by Adorable Princess Parties.
Donations of new hats, mittens, blankets, or socks will be accepted for the Keep Your Neighbors Warm campaign. Bring donations the night of the event or deliver them to the Marion Chamber of Commerce office, 1070 7th Avenue, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 9.
In addition, Uptown Marion Main Street will host the Peppermint Walk, a holiday shopping event. The Peppermint Walk will feature over 35 Uptown Marion businesses decked out for the holidays.
Horse-drawn carriage rides will also return to the event. To help offset costs, a suggested free will donation of $5 per person is encouraged. Rides will load and unload along 7th Avenue north of the park.
Due to the event activity in the Uptown Marion area, drivers are reminded to use caution and yield to pedestrians and the carriages. As part of the event, 7th Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. and will reopen to traffic at 9 p.m. following the event.
Christmas in the Park and the Peppermint Walk is presented by the Marion Chamber of Commerce and Uptown Marion Main Street. This is a free community event thanks to Marion Chamber Platinum Community Partners – Farmers State Bank, ImOn Communications, MercyCare Community Physicians, Summit Pointe Senior Living, and Z102.9 with support from the Marion Hotel/Motel Grant program.
See the schedule below for full details.
2024 Schedule of Events
Arrival of Santa Claus | 4 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to Uptown Marion on 7th Avenue.
Visit Santa | 4-8 p.m. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at Modern Valley Hair Company, 1104 7th Avenue!
Letters to Santa | Nov. 30-Dec. 24 - Drop your letter in Santa’s mailbox next to the tree. Letters with a return address dropped by Dec. 17 will receive a response from Santa.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides | 4-8 p.m. Create a special memory by taking a horse-drawn ride around Uptown Marion. Carriages will load on7th Avenue adjacent to City Square Park. A free will donation of $5 per person is encouraged.
Peace Tree Lighting | 6 p.m. Join us for lighting of Marion’s Peace Tree in City Square Park.
Caroling | 5 p.m. Enjoy a performance by students from the Montessori School of Marion in the North Plaza.
Adorable Princess Visit | 5-7 p.m. Visit the princesses in person and pose for a photo.
Caroling | 5:30 p.m. Join the Heart of Marion Community Choir for a sing-along in the North Plaza.
Caroling | 6:15 p.m. Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes with the Trinity Presbyterian Carolers.
Library | 4-8 p.m. Check out the new bookmobile, enjoy hot chocolate and music by Marion Big Band at the Marion Public Library, 1101 6th Avenue. The library will remain open until 8 p.m.
Candyland Alley | 4-8 p.m. Step into Candyland Alley at the Uptown Artway! Experience the magic of over 40,000 sparkling lights, including mesmerizing tunnels, cascading waterfalls, glowing orbs, and shooting meteors. Sip on free hot cocoa (while supplies last) as you stroll through this whimsical wonderland. The light display will remain up through the end of the holiday season.
Family Fun Activities | 4-8 p.m. Enjoy traditional event activities including holiday music, popcorn from El Kahir Shrine and hot cocoa in the Uptown Artway while supplies last. Bring a new, cold-weather item for the Keep Your Neighbors Warm drive. Look for all our festive photo ops throughout the event for the perfect picture!
Peppermint Walk | 4-8 p.m. Visit over 35 participating Uptown Marion merchants, restaurants and businesses during this special holiday open house. Stores will be decked with holiday lights, decorations and music making this a great complement to the event activities. Present a receipt from a purchase made during the event at any Uptown Marion business and be registered to win a $50 Uptown Dollars certificate valid at participating Uptown businesses. Receipts can be presented at the Marion Chamber & Uptown Marion office, 1070 7th Avenue.