Coming This December: Swim with Santa, Santa Paws & More!

Anyone else love all of the holiday festivities that come with the month of December!? We sure do and we have plenty of ways to get in the holiday spirit for the entire family! From the Holiday Parade & Fun Fest to A Frosty Family Affair to a brand new event at Edison Johnson Recreation Center called Holidays Around the World, you'll be sure to have a wonderful time wherever you go! And just remember, we regularly update the calendar on our website with activities year round, so make sure to check there for more details including how how to register and contact information!

Here is your go to guide on all things December activities and events with Durham Parks and Recreation! See something you want to attend? Make sure if there is preregistration required that you register today to secure your spot!

December 3

• Senior Holiday Party: The Senior Holiday Party is one of Durham's largest celebrations for Mature Adults. The party-goers are diverse, but they all have one thing in common - the desire to be entertained and to enjoy the company of long-time friends over dinner in a festive atmosphere. Mature Adults from across the Triangle will be on hand to celebrate life, friendship and to gather information about the companies that support their community. [4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sheraton Imperial Hotel]

December 7

• Swim with Santa: Get in the swim with Santa Claus! At this fun family event, children will get to play in the shallow water with Santa, and make holiday-themed arts and crafts projects on the pool deck. Lifejackets will be provided as needed. An adult must enter the water with children 9 years of age and younger. [5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Edison Johnson Aquatic Center]

December 8

• Holiday Open House: Swing by the West Point on the Eno for our annual winter tradition! Enjoy refreshments, historic holiday decorations, festive music, and holiday crafts from yesteryear. No need to register - just come on out, rain or shine! [1 p.m. - 5 p.m., West Point on the Eno]

December 11

• Holiday Hijinx: Have your preschooler help us celebrate the Holiday season and the start of the New Year! Enjoy story time, music, crafts and refreshments with this fun event. [10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Walltown Park Recreation Center]

December 13

• Santa Paws: Bring your canine friend out to meet Santa! Santa will be available for photos with your pet. This event also includes a canine ugly sweater contest, holiday pet market, and canine food drive. Free and no preregistration is required. [6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Durham Armory]

December 14

• Holiday Parade & Fun Fest: Join us for the Durham Holiday Parade as dynamic floats, hometown bands, drill teams, schools, community groups and more make their way down Main Street. Then stop by the Fun Fest for snow sledding, pony rides, inflatable bounce houses, arts and crafts activities, visits with Santa, train rides, live music and entertainment, and more! [Parade starts at 10 a.m., Fun Fest starts at 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Downtown Durham]
• Family Day Out: Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights: Bring the family out for an evening of fun! We will watch the beautiful display of twinkling lights and listen to the festive music as we enjoy the view! Pre-registration is required. Register online at dprplaymore.org, any recreation center, or the administration office. [3 p.m. - 10 p.m., Walltown Park Recreation Center]

December 18

• Cookie Creations: It's the holiday season so get in the holiday spirit listening to holiday tunes and creating fun holiday cookies. Baked cookies will be ready for your child to decorate. This program is designed for ages 2 to 5 years old and preregistration is required online. [11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Edison Johnson Recreation Center]

December 19

• A Frosty Family Affair: It's the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season brings many reasons to celebrate so bring the whole family and spread love and cheer at Holton Career and Resource Center! We will provide refreshments and tons of fun activities. This event is free for the whole family. [6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Holton Career & Resource Center]
• Holidays Around the World: Join us for an adventure as we explore holiday traditions and games from around the world. This event is free and open to all ages. No pre-registration is required. See you at this brand new event! [6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Edison Johnson Recreation Center]

December 30

• Kwanzaa Celebration: Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture centered on seven basic principles as building blocks for peace and progress in the community. The celebration will be held on the fifth day of Kwanzaa and will focus on the principle of NIA. [1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Holton Career & Resource Center]