Special holiday events and activities will light up the season in the City of Taylor:

Santa’s Magic Forest
When: Weekends November 28 through December 21. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, 1 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Where: Heritage Park Activity Building, 12111 Pardee Road, in Heritage Park.
What: Downriver’s finest holiday display is a magical winter wonderland of animated characters and scenes and beautiful holiday light displays. Bring the entire family to visit Santa Claus and enjoy live entertainment. Admission is only $3 - $2 for seniors and children 10 and under. Photos with Santa by Rosecrans Picture Perfect Photography are only $7 each. All proceeds from Santa’s Magic Forest benefit Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, a nonprofit organization that is operating the holiday display as a fund-raiser to support its continued work of providing food and nourishment to those in need in Taylor and surrounding communities. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (734) 374-3906. For more information on Fish & Loaves, call (734) 778-1611 or visit the Web site www.downriverfishandloaves.org.
Special Note: Santa will arrive at the Midtown Taylor Fire Station at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, November 29, and make his way via fire truck to Santa’s Magic Forest by 1 p.m. Residents are encouraged to welcome Santa by lining up along the route, which is Goddard and Pardee roads.

Taylor Community Chorus Christmas Concert
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, December 6
Where: Sheridan Community Center, 12111 Pardee Road
What: The annual Christmas show of the Taylor Community Chorus typically draws standing-room-only crowds. Chorus members present Christmas music and other tunes under the direction of Mark Ennis. Admission is $5. For tickets in advance, call (313) 717-1242.

Ballet Americana Presents “The Nutcracker”
When: The full version will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 6, and 2 p.m. Sunday, December 7. A shorter version designed for children is scheduled for 11 a.m. December 6.
Where: The Ford Theater for the Arts Auditorium, located adjacent to the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.
What: Ballet Americana - Taylor’s home dance company - and the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra combine for the third consecutive year in presenting Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” The endearing holiday classic ballet is a fairy tale brought to life in a magical kingdom with a prince and princess, toy soldiers and a sugar plum fairy. Call (313) 576-5111 to purchase tickets or visit the Web site www.detroitsymphony.com.

Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sing-Along
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 9
Where: Taylor Conservatory on Northline Road, just east of Pardee Road, next to the Heritage Park Petting Farm.
What: Bring the family to the old-fashioned Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The night will include a sing-along featuring Christmas carols and other holiday tunes, plus hot chocolate and cider. The Taylor Community Chorus will perform.

Taylor Youth Theater Presents “A Holiday to Remember”
When: 7:30 p.m. December 12 and 13 and 3 p.m. December 14
Where: Sheridan Community Center, 12111 Pardee Road
What: The Taylor Youth Theater presents “A Holiday to Remember.” The performance by young actors ages 6 to 19 will feature music from around the world and some hometown favorites that will get the crowd in the holiday spirit. Tickets are available at the Taylor Golf, Parks and Recreation Office, 22805 Goddard Road, and at the door. Tickets are $8 - $6 for seniors and students. For more information, call (734) 374-3906 weekdays.

Breakfast with Santa
When: 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, December 13
Where: Lakes of Taylor Golf Club, 25505 Northline Road, and Taylor Meadows Golf Club, 25360 Ecorse Road.
What: Children and their families get to dine with Santa and Mrs. Claus - a popular holiday event that sells out quickly. Tickets, which went on sale November 24, are $7 at both pro shops. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Families are welcome to use their own cameras, although photos will be available for an additional charge. For more information, call (734) 287-2100 or visit the Web site www.taylorgolf.com. Please reserve high chairs and booster seats when you purchase your tickets.

Reindeer Days at the Petting Farm
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14.
Where: Heritage Park Petting Farm, located at 12803 Pardee Road at Northline Road.
What: The spirit of the season will be all around the Petting Farm as Santa and his reindeer make their annual visit. Admission is just $2 for Taylor residents; $3 for everyone else. Santa will listen to all special wishes from boys and girls who visit and Santa’s elves will paint faces for an additional fee. Light refreshments and affordable stocking stuffers will be available for purchase. Stop by to visit the reindeer and enjoy some holiday crafts and hot chocolate. While Reindeer Days has become the Petting Farm’s most popular event, there is always plenty of parking thanks to the free shuttle from the Sheridan Community Center just north of the Petting Farm. For more information, call the farm at (734) 374-5946.

Santa Visits the Taylor Community Library
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, December 18
Where: Taylor Community Library, 12303 Pardee Road
What: Families can enjoy a visit with Santa Claus. The night includes stories, songs, hot cocoa and cookies. And don’t forget your camera. Registration is required and begins December 5. The free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call the library at (734) 287-4840.

26th Annual Seniors Christmas Party
When: 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, December 19
Where: William Ford Senior Activity Center, 6750 Troy Street
What: One of the Senior Center’s most popular events, the Christmas party includes a catered dinner, a gift for everyone, door prizes and musical entertainment provided by Solitaire. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased by December 12. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call the City of Taylor Department of Senior Services at (313) 291-7740.

11th Annual True Meaning of Christmas - Free Christmas Dinner for Everyone
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Christmas Day, December 25
Where: William Ford Senior Activity Center, 6750 Troy Street, just west of Telegraph Road and north of Ecorse Road.
What: A group of volunteers serve free Christmas dinner to anyone, whether alone, less fortunate or hungry - and their guests. The dinner is open to everybody! This year, the meal will include turkey and all the trimmings, ham, white and sweet potatoes, gravy, corn, salad, beverages and desserts. The dinner is organized by the Domski family, which years ago chose to end its annual gift exchange and put the money toward a meal for anyone to enjoy. The Taylor Police Department has donated dozens of turkeys and hams. Further contributions are made by the Taylor Governmental Management and Administrative Employees Association. Last year’s Christmas meal drew an estimated 200 diners and plenty of volunteers. Those who cannot arrange transportation to the Ford Center can call for a free ride in advance or on the day of the event. The telephone number is (313) 291-7740. Local organizations and churches are asked to spread the word about he free dinner to their members and associates.

New Year’s Eve Buffet
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 31
Where: Lakes of Taylor Golf Club, 25505 Northline Road
What: The fabulous annual New Year’s Buffet will be served at beautiful Lakes of Taylor. Start the celebration out right with a tantalizing appetizer buffet, then move on to the Five-Star Dinner Buffet, featuring the hand-carved roasted prime rib of beef, stuffed shrimp and much more. Lakes’ famous dessert buffet adds the finishing touch to a perfect evening. Seating is by reservation only; call (734) 287-9001.

Seniors New Year’s Party
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, January 9
Where: William Ford Senior Activity Center, 6750 Troy Street
What: The first party of 2009 at the Senior Center will include a catered meal, music by Mike Wolverton and his band, a poppin’ of the cork at “midnight countdown,” streamers, confetti, non-alcoholic champagne and other beverages. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased by January 2. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call the City of Taylor Department of Senior Services at (313) 291-7740.

Many more events can be found on the City of Taylor Web site, www.cityoftaylor.com/events.