Celebrate the start of the holiday season with us!

Back in its new time slot, Hometown Holidays is Spring Hill's annual Christmas festival, held the first Friday in December. For many years, this fun, free event has treated families to pictures with Santa, holiday-themed crafts, treats, activities, and entertainment hosted by local organizations. 

The evening begins with caroling and the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas Tree. Once the tree is lit, Santa and Mrs. Claus are delivered to the event by Johnson County Fire District No. 2 and spend their evening taking free photos with children. Families then can enjoy sipping hot chocolate, nibbling on Christmas cookies and listening to the sounds of carolers provided by the City of Spring Hill and local businesses and organizations. 

Hometown Holidays 2018 is set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at the newly-renovated Spring Hill Civic Center, 401 N. Madison St. Planned activities include pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hot chocolate and cookies, Christmas carolers, music and a flashlight candy cane hunt. 

Schedule of events

6 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. — Madison Avenue Performing Arts will begin caroling at the Mayor's Christmas Tree in the courtyard of the newly-renovated Civic Center. 

6:10 p.m. — Mayor Steven Ellis will give opening remarks before the tree lighting. 

6:15 p.m. — Watch as Citizen of the Year Candy Schoenberger lights the Mayor's Christmas Tree, signaling the start of the season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also arrive, courtesy of Johnson County Fire District No. 2. 

6:20 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Make your way inside the Civic Center for hot chocolate and cookies, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, music from Kevin Phillips and a donation booth for the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund. The Spring Hill Recreation Commission will also have a Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt in neighboring Friendship Park.

Parking

Residents are strongly encouraged to park at the Spring Hill Civic Center, 401 N. Madison St. Parking is available north of the Civic Center on Madison Street and on the west side of the building in the lot off Jefferson Street. No street parking is available.

Road closures

No road closures will take place at the 2018 Hometown Holidays. However, parking spots in front of the courtyard of the Civic Center (east side of the building) will be blocked off for the event.