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Christmas in the Cloud at Amazing Animals is one of a handful of holiday events occurring in St. Cloud this week.
The Festival of Trees, a two-day event at the Church of St. Luke and St. Peter (2745 Canoe Creek Road), takes place on Friday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The community is invited to look at beautifully decorated trees and decorations. You can take pictures and admire the crafted themed trees. If you fall in love with a tree, you can buy tickets and at the end of the two-day event the trees will be raffled off.
The City of St. Cloud presents Toddler Open Gym Christmas Party on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the St. Cloud Civic Center, 3001 17th St. The cost is $3 per child and includes treats, games, fun and story time with Santa. For more information, call 407-957-7243.
Also tonight, Harmony Middle School is hosting a district Parent Bullying Information Night for all the St. Cloud area schools. This event will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the school’s cafeteria.
Kissimmee Valley Feed, 215 13th St., presents Paws with Claus on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a chance to take a photo with Santa. Party highlights include special guest “Just A Glazin”, they will help make your pets paw into a forever ornament; the fee is $20. To RSVP, call Kissimmee Valley Feed at 407-892-4040.
Christmas arrives in Narcoossee on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Historic 1886 Narcoossee Schoolhouse, 5026 Yukon St. It is a chance to tell Santa what you would like for Christmas and raise funds for the historic preservation there. Shop local vendors, foods for sale include hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, baked goods and logo items.
Also Saturday, Amazing Animals Inc. (4235 Rambler Ave.) presents Christmas in the Cloud from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate Christmas with the critters at this 4th annual event. Event highlights include petting zoo, animal meet and greets, fun fake snow, meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, over 25 holiday animal inflatables, food trucks and community vendors. Bring a bag of dog or cat food to donate to Osceola County Animal Services and get one free entry per person per bag.
Light up the Park takes place Dec. 8-10 and 15-17 from 6-9 p.m. nightly at Peghorn Park, 2101 Peghorn Way. Enjoy the season with Peghorn Park brilliantly lit up with Christmas lights.
The $10 per person fee (2 years old and under free) includes admission, hot chocolate, cookies, crafts, movies, games, bounce houses and music. Vendors and food trucks will be onsite. Tickets are available at the gate or online at www. webtrac.stcloudfl.gov.
The next Downtown St. Cloud Monthly Market will be on Wednesday, Dec. 13th from 5-9 p.m. This is an evening of all things local – pop-up vendors, food trucks, shops, eateries and more. Wrap up your Christmas shopping and support local businesses.
St. Cloud Main Streets last Historic Tour or Ghost Walking Tour will also be on that date. Tickets start at $10. To purchase go to, https://bit.ly/walkingtour23.
The Young Entrepreneur Market happens on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 1-5 p.m. on Georgia Avenue. This is a market for young artists and creators ages 5-25). To sign-up, contact Mariana McNutt at 407-744-8470 or Eli Berlinsky at 407-508- 8326.
Whiskey and War stories with Rob Schaefer, co-owner of Horse Soldier Bourbon and presented by St. Cloud Levee Liquor will happen on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 1200 New York Ave. This night of whiskey tasting will be complimented with compelling war stories.
Robert W. Schaefer is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer (Green Beret), diplomat, and entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience advising heads of state, senior foreign defense officials, and business leaders. He served as the on-air Security Analyst for NBC’s official coverage of the 2014 Olympic Games and is a critically acclaimed, award-winning author.
The fee is $74.95 (must be 21 years old and over). Heavy appetizers, guided whiskey tasting, and a bottle of Horse Soldier Bourbon to take home are included. Space is limited.
To purchase tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whiskey-andwar-stories- with-robschaefer-co-owner-horsesoldier-bourbon-tickets-757988573227?aff=ebdssb destsearch.
For more information, contact St. Cloud Levee Liquor at 404-593-9605.
Hola in the City takes place on Friday, Dec. 15 from 5-8 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall, in collaboration with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando. The City invites all for a fun event celebrating Hispanic heritage. This event features arts, culture, Hispanic cuisine and more.
Help Against Hunger is offering free haircuts for the holidays at Narcoossee Community Center (5354 Rambling Road) on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9-11:30 a.m.
One Night in Bethlehem, presented by St. Cloud Church of the Nazarene (751 19th St.) will be on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. This is a free drive-thru experience recreating the night Christ was born. A narrative is available to download while enjoying this drivethru Bethlehem. The event will also have a costumed cast and live animals. A hay-ride option is available. If you are interested in a hay-ride, park your vehicle at Michigan Avenue Elementary School. The Church will pick you up and return you to your vehicle. For more information, call 407-892-8184.
