With the holiday season underway, nearly 750 residents gathered for Oceanside’s annual Winter Wonderland celebration on Dec. 13, a festive community event hosted by the Oceanside Department of Community Activities and co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Oceanside.
The celebration brought families together for a day filled with music, seasonal activities and holiday cheer. Festivities began with a sing-along performance by Oceanside’s middle school and high school choirs, whose holiday selections set a cheerful tone for the event. Shortly after the performance, Santa Claus made his much-anticipated arrival, drawing excited children and families eager to kick off the season.
Visitors lined up at Santa’s Workshop for photos and a chance to meet Santa, while elves distributed special gifts to children. Throughout the day, volunteers helped transform the area into a winter-themed village complete with games, crafts, face painting and prize stations. Cookie decorating provide especially popular, with treats generously donated by the Ramalho Family & Tree Service.
Community volunteers played a key role in the event’s success, including members of the Oceanside High School Key Club, Builders Club, K-Kids and other local groups, who assisted with activities and helped guide families through the celebration.
One of the highlights was the horse-drawn wagon rides along the Merle Avenue track. The rides were co-sponsored by several community organizations and individuals, including the Oceanside Kiwanis and Kiwanettes, Oceanside Fire Department, Chamber of Commerce, Oceanside High School Key Club and Oceanside Community Warriors. Afterward, families warmed up with hot chocolate and toppings donated by the Badalamenti family.
Children also had the opportunity to mail letters to Santa through Santa’s Mailbox outside his workshop. The initiative, co-sponsored by the Department of Community Activities and the Oceanside High School Key Club, will ensure each letter with a return address receives a response, with assistance from the Oceanside Library.
The event offered something for all ages, creating smiles and holiday memories for Oceanside residents young and old.
