GALION — With the holiday season upon us, lots of activities and events are planned throughout Galion to keep any residents busy during any spare time they might have in the days and weeks to come.

The first of many events is Come Home to Galion on Saturday, Dec. 1 with various activities across uptown Galion. Activities begin at 1 p.m. and include:

• Cookie Decorating at Cake & Icing.

• Letters to Santa and hot chocolate at Central Hotel

• Live ice sculptures demonstration on Public Square

• Elf Hunt starting at the Galion Public Library

• Horse drawn carriage and wagon rides to and from Galion Public Library and Brownella Cottage.

• Live nativity scene across the street from Brownella Cottage (former Galion Middle School site).

• Tours and open house at both Galion Public Library and Brownella Cottage

• Food and entertainment on the square.

These events are free of charge.

At 4:15 p.m., the Come Home to Galion Christmas Parade will step off from the tennis courts of Heise Park and make its waythrough uptown Galion. The lighting of the Galion Christmas Tree will take place at approximately 5 p.m. and the Santa House will open afterward, at 5:30 p.m.

Also on Dec. 1 from 10:30 – 4:30 p.m., American Legion Post 243 118 S. Market St., will have their craft show and bake sale. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Numerous vendors will be in attendance and the kitchen will be open for soup and sandwiches.

While Galion Historical Society is holding its annual Christmas Open House on Dec. 1 along with the Come Home to Galion festivities, the organization has other holiday events planned throughout the month also.

The Brownella Lights Tour is scheduled for Friday Dec. 7 from 5-8 p.m. Admission is $5 person and guided tours are available. The upstairs of the cottage will be decorated and open for guests as a part of this event.

On Dec. 8, the Galion Booster Club will hold its 2nd annual Craft Show from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Galion High School. Nearly 100 vendors are scheduled for the event, with a wide variety of items for sale. Breakfast and lunch will be available during the day, and a visit from Santa is planned. Admission to the show is $2 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Early bird shoppers are welcome to attend and beat the crowd at 9 a.m., for a $5 admission fee.

The Galion Historical Society will hold a special edition of Christmas Clue on Dece. 15 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and also on Dece. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available for advance purchase online at www.galionhistory.com under the ‘shop’ tab beginning Dec. 1.