Christmas in the Village 2025
42nd Annual Christmas in Fair Oaks Tree Lighting
December 4, 2025
Fair Oaks Village always has a quiet charm that you feel the moment you arrive. But on December 4, that charm was truly amplified.
Christmas in the Village returned this year, and the turnout was extraordinary. Hundreds of people filled Fair Oaks Village Park and the Village Square, spilling into nearby restaurants and gathering shoulder to shoulder. The park was full. The Square was full. Everywhere you looked, there were happy faces.
This year’s celebration was hosted by the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District, the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, and a wide network of community partners. From the start, it was clear how much this event meant to Fair Oaks.
A Village That Truly Showed Up
Village Park Plaza glowed as strings of lights framed the park and holiday music filled the air. Bella Vista Jazz Ensemble provided live music that set a warm, festive tone throughout the evening. Children moved between craft stations, games, and treats, while many families entered the Community Clubhouse. Long lines formed for photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and hot chocolate was flowing.
Volunteers handed out candles, and they kept handing them out. Eight hundred candles were prepared, and still not everyone was able to get one. That alone says everything about how many people showed up. I have never seen that many people gathered in the Village at once.
Nights like this feel especially connected. I saw many people I knew, even some I hadn’t seen in a while. Fair Oaks truly feels like family.
When the Lights Came On
As the evening moved toward the tree lighting, people gathered back into the park. The ceremony didn’t drag on, which everyone appreciated, and when the moment arrived, it happened all at once.
When the lights came on, the entire Village cheered.
Then the snow started falling.
Snow machines filled the air with beautiful, swirling foam that looked like snow, instantly transforming the scene. It felt enchanting. Elsa stepped out and sang, her voice carrying across the park. Mr. and Mrs. Claus joined in, along with the Grinch, who quickly became a crowd favorite.
Kids shouted, “Santa, look behind you. Look behind you.”
The Grinch ended up in the spotlight, dancing to “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and the crowd loved every second of it.
It was joyful. It was playful. It was exactly what a small town holiday celebration should feel like.
I had said earlier that it reminded me of a Hallmark movie. All we needed was a gazebo. Mike Aho, the Director for the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District, laughed and said, “That ain’t happening!” We both chuckled. But agreed that it was special. He put a lot of his heart and soul into this project.
A Tradition That Still Matters
Christmas in the Village has been part of Fair Oaks for decades. Over the years, it has grown and changed, but its heart has stayed the same. This is a tradition built on people showing up for one another.
Parents who once came with their own families now return with children and grandchildren. Local businesses decorate their windows year after year and say it is one of their favorite times to be part of the Village. Volunteers continue to show up because they know how much joy this night brings.
That sense of connection is something people here protect fiercely. And nights like this explain why.
A Night That Reminded Us Who We Are
As Fair Oaks continues to grow and evolve, Christmas in the Village remains a reminder of what makes this place special. It brings people together. It strengthens relationships. It turns a public space into a shared living room for the entire community.
December 4, 2025, was one of those nights you don’t forget.
The kind of night that reminds you why Fair Oaks is such a wonderful place to call home.
