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Casper, Wyoming is a beautiful town and the perfect home base for your next holiday getaway. Whether you plan on spending the season with your friends or loved ones, there are several fun events in town to enjoy. Remember the weather gets quite cold this time of year so pack appropriately to enjoy your trip. 1. Winter Makers Market Start your holiday shopping with a look at local, handmade products. Held on Saturdays through January 2020, the Winter Makers Market is at the Good Food Hub from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It features homemade foods as well as local honey and produce. You can also look through the selections of jewelry and furniture to find the perfect, unique holiday present. Vendors accept cash, credit cards, checks, Market Bucks, and Wyoming EBT for your shopping convenience. more 2. Reindeer Relay 2019 Start the holiday season with some fun exercise the weekend before Thanksgiving at the 2019 Reindeer Relay on Sunday, November 24. This annual 5k raises money for cancer patients throughout the state of Wyoming. Registration opens at 2:30 p.m. There is a $20 registration fee. The race begins at 4 p.m. Mountain Standard Time in the Conwell Building parking lot. Come dressed in your best holiday costume. Awards for the best individual and team costumes are given out. Following the race, exchange notes and times with your fellow runners or catch up with your family over hot cocoa or Schnapps in the parking lot before more holiday fun. 3. 2019 Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade Get excited about the holidays as you watch the lights of Holiday Square come to life. The lighting is scheduled for 5 p.m. following the end of the Reindeer Relay. Make sure you arrive at least ten minutes early so you can get a good spot and follow the countdown clock. Free hot cocoa and cookies are available while they last. Pets are not encouraged at this event. The 2019 Holiday Parade takes place in downtown Casper on Sunday, November 24. It is scheduled to kick off around 6:45 p.m. This year sees a new parade route take effect. The celebration begins at Davis Street Station and ends at the corner of Second and Beech. The theme for this year is Candy Coated Christmas. Bring your blanket and claim your spot early before the crowds arrive. Parade attendees are encouraged to follow directions for parking. CATC and the bus are using a special route to make downtown access easier for the day. 4. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live Start your Christmas celebration early by enjoying a live performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The performance takes place on Monday, December 23, at 7 p.m. inside the Casper Events Center. The show brings this beloved cartoon to life. After the final bow, the audience is invited to sing traditional Christmas songs and carols with the cast. Don't forget your camera to capture some special memories during these events. Bring friends and family together in a picture postcard setting for fun and celebrations throughout the season. Image via Pixabay.com

Casper is the second-largest city in Wyoming, but it's our first choice when it comes to celebrating Christmas. We've put together this short guide to some of the holiday activities in our area so you don't miss your chance to enjoy this season more than ever. more Do Some Holiday Shopping Bundle up and head downtown during the months of November and December to take advantage of the city's best seasonal retail deals. Major chains like Macy's, Best Buy, Target, Kohl's, and Dick's Sporting Goods will help you with all of your holiday gift staples, but don't stop there. Local specialty stores will give you the chance to purchase unique gifts ― visit stores like Floral Rhino and Wind City Books to find hidden treasures. For the ultimate holiday shopping experience, go inside Sierra West's dedicated Christmas store. There are dozens of Christmas-themed rooms decorated with trees, ornaments, and more. Check Out Christmas in Wyoming Enjoy the best display of Christmas lights in Casper on the west side of the city. The show takes place at a single residential home, but it's achieved statewide fame over the past few years. Visit in your car to get an extra bonus ― tune your car radio to 98.1, and the lights will be synced to the music for a spectacular audiovisual feast. The display uses LED lights to keep electricity costs low, and the family accepts donations to help fund charity organizations. Visit the event's website to see the 2018 schedule and to view videos of the show in action. Attend The Royal Holiday Ball Visit the Nicolaysen Art Museum (known locally as “The Nic”) on Dec. 1 to participate in the Royal Holiday Ball. This is a children's holiday party with a princess theme that will run from 5 to 7 p.m. Scheduled events include dancing, singing, storytelling, and coloring. There will also be plenty of holiday-themed treats for adults and children alike to enjoy. Tickets cost $30 for child party goers and $5 for chaperones. The Royal Holiday Ball will be attended by multiple princesses in costumes, so make sure your child gets the chance to take a photo with all of them. Go to Holiday on the Homestead Go to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center on Dec. 8 and be ready to get creative. Bring your family and friends so everyone can enjoy making handcrafted Christmas ornaments while listening to live music. If you're an especially talented chef, consider joining the gingerbread contest to pit your confectionery skills against the best in Casper. If you bring your kids to Holiday on the Homestead, they're sure to enjoy the temporary train exhibit — it may not be the Polar Express, but it's the next best thing. This is a daytime event that will start at 9 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Casper's annual November Christmas Parade may have already come and gone, but there are still plenty of holiday-themed activities to enjoy this winter. Start with these options to kickstart your Christmas. https://www.flickr.com/photos/tabor-roeder/23412242435/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Phil Roeder