Laguna Beach, here comes Santa Claus

It’s that time of year again — merriment, fairies, reindeer and maybe an elf or two will be part of the mix on Hospitality Night on Dec. 4 in downtown Laguna Beach.

Santa himself will swoop down on Forest Avenue at 6 p.m. after making a grand tour of Laguna Beach via the Coast Highway, and help light the City Hall pepper tree to kick off the holiday season.

Shopkeepers on Forest Avenue will keep their doors open until 9 p.m. as revelers fill the street, which will be blocked to traffic for the evening. Restaurants and night life will be swinging.

“We are looking forward to Hospitality Night, the most fun-filled night for all of Laguna Beach,” said Rose Hancock, executive director of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event.

The evening with be chockablock with festivities, from community singers to strolling bagpipers.

Before Santa arrives, at 5 p.m., the Laguna Presbyterian Church will host a bell choir and community sing-a-long, along with the La Playa Preschool tamale booth, a craft bazaar and open house, all at the church, 415 Forest Ave.

Also at 5 p.m., the Laguna Beach Community Concert Band will perform at Forest Avenue Plaza (Peppertree Lane) until 6 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., Thurston Middle School Band will play at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

At 6 p.m., Santa will arrive at City Hall to light the pepper tree with Mayor Kelly Boyd. Then Santa will be paraded down Forest Avenue to meet Mrs. Claus at Santa’s House, led by his reindeer, Sparky and McGruff. Lagunatics and Miss Linda’s choir will be singing carols, while the Fairy Lady and Miss Linda and her hand puppets entertain children waiting to take a picture with Santa.

At 6:09 p.m., Laguna Tunes will sing at Forest Avenue and Beach Street. At 6:12 p.m., the Main State on Forest Avenue and Glenneyre Street will host an evening of music and celebration, including Anneliese’s Choir; Steamroller; and the Laguna Beach High School Band. Throughout the night, the San Clemente Scots Bagpipers will march and play along Forest, Ocean Avenue and Coast Highway.

The festive evening wraps up at 9:15 p.m. with a showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at South Coast Cinemas. Free tickets are available at the Chamber office, 357 Glenneyre St. For more information, call at (949) 494-1018.