The Vista Chamber of Commerce is coordinating WinterFest, a festival focusing on holiday arts and fun from Dec 5 through Christmas. Several organizations are sponsoring events, including the annual holiday parade, downtown street lighting and caroling, a home tour, an art gallery reception, a bridge-lighting ceremony, a snow play area, free pictures with Santa and more. The Chamber is organizing two of the events, and other groups are organizing their own events. Here is the schedule:

Dec. 3 (Wednesday) – Holiday Sundowner business mixer sponsored by the Vista Chamber of Commerce at Vista Entertainment Center, 435 W Vista Way, 5 to 7 p.m. 726-1122. Members admission is $5. Prospective members $10. This popular event features a bridge lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

December 5 (Friday) Downtown Vista invites you to the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony along Main Street from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday December 5th. Main Street trees from South Santa Fe Avenue to Vista Village Drive will be filled with lights at the ceremony. A decorated Christmas tree will be lit up at the Main Street Gazebo as a centerpiece for the downtown decorations. Mr. and Mrs. Santa will pose for free photographs with children and there will be activities for the kids that tie into this year’s theme: “I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas”. We will have dancers from Tanya’s Dance and The band from Vista Academy of Performing Arts at the gazebo as well as music performances in front of First Cut Demos located at 217 E. Broadway. Area merchants will be offering seasonal favorites through out the evening, and don’t forget to play “Vista Village Business Bingo” for the chance to win CASH prizes!

DEC. 6 (SATURDAY) - VISTA CHRISTMAS PARADE - The Vista Chamber of Commerce is producing Vista's annual Christmas Parade, scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade theme is "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" to bring an added focus to taking care of our planet and Environmental issues.

The parade route will be the same as recent years, starting on S. Santa Fe Avenue at the corner of Pala Vista Drive, proceeding north on Santa Fe Avenue to Main Street, turning right to Citrus Avenue, right on Citrus and ending at Broadway.

Vista Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Ms. Linda Strand has been named as the Grand Marshall of the 2008 Chamber Christmas parade. Ms. Strand was recently named as the 2008 National Association of Women Business Owners as the recipient of San Diego's "2008 Green Community Award". This award recognizes environmental achievements, business leadership and community involvement. The Chamber is excited and proud to have Ms. Strand as our Grand Marshall. Ms. Strands' selection as Grand Marshall is in keeping with the theme of this years' Christmas parade.

The parade is organized by the Chamber with major funding from the City of Vista. The parade will include marching bands, an aerial fly-over, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Nearly 10,000 spectators are expected. More info and entry forms.

DEC. 6 (SATURDAY) - Pictures with Santa Claus - Immediately after the parade, from approximately 2:30 to 5 p.m., sponsored by Krikorian Theatres which will also have a play area with five tons of snow in front of the theaters at 25 Main Street.

December 6 (Saturday) North County Transit District (NCTD) will again run a very special holiday-themed train called “Santa’s COASTER Express” featuring an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. NCTD is offerings rides on this very special train for $4 per passenger, with all proceeds to be donated to North County’s Community Resource Center. Special round-trip tickets must be purchased in advance from NCTD’s Customer Service office at 810 Mission Avenue in Oceanside. Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12. Santa’s COASTER Express is scheduled to run two trips, each lasting for approximately one and a half hours. The train departure times are scheduled for approximately 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All money raised from the $4 fare per person will go to support Community Resource Center, which has been a primary provider of comprehensive social services to the North County Coastal communities since 1979.  For more information about Community Resource Center, visit www.communityresourcecenter.org. To download a flyer about Santa’s COASTER Express and a list of frequently asked questions, visit www.GoNCTD.com. For more information, call 760-966-6500.

December 12 (Friday) the 204 Gallery hosts the Mele Kalikimaka Reception. Vista Art Foundation, 204 Main Street, Vista. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Live Hawaiian entertaiment.

DEC. 6, 13, 20, (SATURDAY) - Vista Farmers Market takes on a holiday flavor at this time of year. The weekly market features more than 50 vendors, including farmers, arts and crafts, and food from 7:45 to 11 a.m. every Saturday in the parking lot adjacent to County Courthouse on Melrose.

December 7 (Sunday) Vista Community Clinic’s 22nd Annual Holiday Homes Tour will take tour goers around the world.  From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. view art and architecture from Europe, Africa, Asia and throughout the Americas.  The tour will feature homes exquisitely decorated for the holidays by professional designers who volunteer their services.  This tour raises money for the clinic’s Kare for Kids Fund.  Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and may be purchased online at www.vistacommunityclinic.org.

December 13 (Saturday) The Rancho Buena Vista Adobe is hosting the La Hacienda Holiday at the 651 E. Vista Way location. Time is 4 to 7 p.m.. $5 for adults and $3 for children. $10 for Families. For information call 760-941-7639