Christmas by the Lake

An Amazing Holiday Festival

Dates: December 2, 2023
Event Description: Saturday’s events include horse drawn carriage rides, a craft show, the crowning of prince and princess, a petting zoo, s’mores for kids, Christmas Karaoke, a visit with Santa, family matinees at the Lake Theatre, special entertainment at the Clear Lake Arts Center, strolling Dickens characters, a lighted parade, and fireworks over the frozen lake.  Kick off the weekend with a holiday concert at the Surf Ballroom and the Lights on 5K, and be sure to stick around for the Polar Bear Plunge on Sunday morning!

Clear Lake’s Christmas by the Lake has won several tourism awards for best holiday festival!

Thursday, November 30th:

Lights on 5K, 5:30pm
One Vision’s Kinney-Lindstrom Center
Clear Lake area runners and walkers are invited to join One Vision’s 11th Annual Lights On 5K Run/Walk! Costumes and lights are encouraged! All proceeds from registration, donations, and funds raised are used to buy holiday gifts for individuals with disabilities supported by One Vision.
Register at lightson5k.org

Friday, December 1st:

Christmas with The Nelsons
Surf Ballroom, doors open at 7pm
Catch the holiday spirit at the Surf!  Christmas with the Nelsons tells the story of three family Christmases in the lives of America’s First Family of Entertainment, the Nelsons! Fresh off securing two Top 10 Billboard Christmas singles in the last two years, Matthew and Gunnar bring their award winning talent to the stage. This heart-warming multi-media live concert stars the third generation of No. 1 Nelson family hitmakers, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. A genuine blend of Everly Brothers-style harmonies and Smothers Brothers-style comedy, multi-platinum recording artists Matthew and Gunnar have been thrilling sellout audiences worldwide for the past decade with their Ricky Nelson Remembered show…and they’ve got a new gift for you to open.

Tickets are $30 advance, $35 at the door and can be purchased at surfballroom.com

Saturday, December 2nd: (TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Breakfast with Santa 7-11am
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1101 9th Ave S)
Presented by the Knights of Columbus with the Boy Scouts, enjoy
pancakes, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee provided by Cabin Coffee!
$6 per person, no advance ticket sales, pay at the door.

Family Matinee, TBD 11am
Lake Theatre
Free admission with a donation to the food bank (cash or non-perishable items).

Petting Zoo 11:30am-3:30pm
City Park

Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Performance times, 12:30pm, 2:30pm & 4:00pm
Clear Lake Arts Center

Live Cello and Piano Performance 12:30-3pm
Holistic Harmony

Christmas Karaoke & S’mores 1-4pm
400 Block of Main Avenue

Professor Von Air Balloon Artist 1-4pm
Zion on Main (corner of 5th & Main)

Zion Dock Activities 1-4pm
400 Block of Main Avenue
Cookie decorating, inflatables, kid’s activities, a Winter Princess photo opportunity, snacks, hot drinks & entertainment.

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus 1-4pm & 6-7pm
Santa’s House in City Park

FSB Warming House 1-4pm
Farmers State Bank
Enjoy warm drinks & popcorn inside FSB (210 1st Ave N)

Horse Drawn Sleigh & Carriage Rides 2-4:30pm
Boarding locations: Wilcox Furniture and Ge-Jo’s

Strolling Dickens Characters 2-5pm
Main Avenue & Downtown
Victorian characters sing and mingle with the crowd.

Lighted Parade and Spectacular Fireworks Finale over the lake begin at 5:07pm
Parade begins at 8th & Main and will travel down Main Avenue and N Lakeview Drive.
Fireworks display will begin after the parade.
Click here for the Parade Application.

Sunday, December 4th:

Family Matinee, Polar Express (G) 11am
Lake Theatre
Free admission with a donation to the food bank (cash or non-perishable items).

Polar Bear Plunge presented by Clear Lake Jaycees 12:30pm
City Beach
10:30 AM: Check-in/Registration and pre-party for Plungers at the VFW in Clear Lake. All participants will receive a BOGO token to enjoy a cocktail or beer.
12:00 PM: Check-in/Registration moves to the Yacht Club
12:30 PM: Plungers take the plunge!
1:00 PM: Warming Party at Tap’d (Tap’d will have a band and all participants will receive a BOGO token to enjoy a cocktail or beer at the party.)
Warming tents will be onsite to change afterwards. When you check-in, you can provide your team name in order to be announced to plunge together. Fun costumes or outfits encouraged but not required.

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus 1-4pm
Santa’s House in City Park

Festival of Trees ends after 26 years, read more here.