Coming Christmas Eve Morning: Track Santa Live from Lexington

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that now offers a Santa tracker mobile app to follow the jolly man's magical flight.

They sent him their wish lists, sat on his lap, and left cookies and milk for his arrival. Now the only thing left for children to do is track Santa's progress as he delivers gifts around the world on Christmas Eve. Thanks to the folks behind the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) website, families worldwide can now follow Santa's Christmas journey in real time. NORAD's mission is to detect any incoming threats to the USA & Canada. But that gives them the capability to track Kris Kringle's sleigh. The tradition started in 1955 after an advertisement for Sears Roebuck & Co. misprinted a telephone number for a special "Santa hotline." Instead of reaching Mr. Kringle, the number put kids through to the Continental Air Defense …

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Raising Lexington

Raising Lexington: Has The Grinch Already Stolen Christmas?

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget the child in us that believes.

  I'll admit it took me a little longer than usual to get in the holiday spirit this year. I am sure it has something to do with the broken foot I have been nursing since Columbus Day. Fall is an incredibly busy time of year for everyone, but try adding in two birthdays, a husband’s crazy work schedule and the insane idea of hosting Thanksgiving and then you have a superstorm that doesn’t allow for putting your foot up on ice. But I digress. Getting into the holiday spirit is usually fairly easy when you have kids. You just can’t help but look at things through their eyes and go a little crazy with nostalgia. I’ve been known to spend an entire day looking for the traditional Advent calendars with chocolates behind each window. My Oma used …

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Patch Facts

Five Things: Festival Night Festivities

A quick look at what you need to see, do and know today in Lexington.

1. Holiday Bazaar: It starts today and runs through the weekend. The Lexington Historical Society's Holiday Bazaar at the Depot is a sale of holiday gifts and arrangements with entertainment and treats for all ages. 2. Holiday Pops: Lexington Symphony’s Holiday Pops concerts are this Friday, Nov. 30 at 4 and 8 p.m., brings a touch of magic to town, coinciding with Lexington Holiday Festival Night and the lighting of the trees up and down Mass. Ave. 3. Santa Claus Coming to Town: According to the Chamer of Commerce's annual Festival Night schedule, Santa Claus will come to town for a holiday tree-lighting ceremony at Depot Square, which begins at 6:30 p.m. with the sounds of the Master Singers of Lexington. 4. And At the Library... Over at …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 22

The start of winter, a chance to win money for the schools, Santa spotting and more today in and around Lexington.

1. Combine School and Holiday Spirit: There's still time to get out the lights and holly and decorate your house for a chance to win $100,000 for the Lexington Public Schools in Patch's Deck the House contest. We're looking for the most decked-out house in all of Patchland and you have until Dec. 26 to nominate your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form on the site. Then, from Dec. 30 to Jan. 8 to vote for the winner.  2. Today in Public Meetings: According to the town website, public meetings posted for today include the Board of Assessors at 10:30 a.m. at the Town Office Building; the Estabrook School Site Council at 3:30 p.m. at the school and the Greenway Corridor Committee Task Group at 4 p.m. at the Town Office Building…

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Where to Visit Santa Claus This December

Check Patch's interactive map for locations and times of Santa's appearances this month.

It may be early December, but Christmas is right around the corner.  And for those children out there who are eager to tell Santa Claus what they'd like under the tree on Christmas Morning this year, we're here to help point you in the right direction of where the big man in red will be this month.  Look through our interactive map to find out where Santa will be visiting for photo opportunities for families in the region in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  And be sure to bookmark the map or check back weekly to see updates on any newly-added appearances, including locations and venue details. 

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PHOTOS: Holiday Spirit Shines on Festival Night in Lexington Center

Locals enjoyed shops open late, strolling carolers, a visit from Santa Claus and more Friday night during the annual Holiday Festival Night in Lexington Center.

Holiday spirit hung thick in the crisp December air Friday evening as parents and children swarmed Lexington Center to take in all that the annual Festival Night had to offer. With the streetscape lit up like a card from Currier and Ives, shops and restaurants stayed open late and held raffles and sales. The Lexington Symphony performed a pair of holiday pops concerts at Cary Hall and  strolling carolers and standing musicians provided entertainment at other participating locations along Massachusetts Avenue. At about 6:30 p.m., Santa Claus, who traded in his reindeer for a fire truck, rode into the Depot for a ceremonial tree lighting. And, throughout the evening, Cary Memorial Library extended its hours and offerings to include madrigal …

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PatchCast

PatchCast: Santa Arrives Early, Christmas Trees Go on Sale and Dancing Into the Weekend

A video roundup of the area's latest developments for Friday, Dec. 2.

Follow the links below for more on today's featured headlines:

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Get Out

Five Things To Do This Weekend: Dec. 2 to 4

What's going on in and around Lexington this weekend.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do this weekend. Lexington Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities you'll want to take part in this weekend in Lexington and beyond. 1. Holiday Pops Concerts Where/When: Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington; 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2 Why Go: The Lexington Symphony performs kids pops at 4 p.m. and evening pops at 8 p.m., a pair of concerts that include popular holiday favorits, a sing-a-long and an appearance by a special guest. Pricing: $15 and $5 for children in the afternoon and $35 and $15 for children in the evening 2. Holiday Festival Night in Lexington Center Where/When: …

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