With winter break right around the corner and holiday excitement making its appearance this time of year, UW-Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley community are hosting events to bring cheer to the community.

Whether holiday music, movies or activities get you excited for the holiday season, several local events will help you check off items on your winter bucket list.

To kick off the festivities, the Let It Glow! 2017 event is happening in Phoenix Park on Friday, Dec. 1 to light up trees in downtown Eau Claire.

Loni Bauer, a first-year nursing student, said seasonal traditions play a significant role in her winter celebrations.

“I love spending time with family,” Bauer said. “Decorating the house and putting the Christmas tree up — it’s so fun.”

The Clearwater Winter Parade is bringing holiday cheer down West Grand Avenue on Friday, Dec. 1st with fireworks at 6:30 p.m.

A few days later, the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and Department of Music and Theatre Arts will present their 43rd annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The Master Singers Christmas Concert is being held at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16 at the First Congregational Church of Christ, with an admission cost of $18 for adults and $5 for students.

The spirit of Christmas continues with productions of classics such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Menomonie Theatre Guild. “A Christmas Carol” will also be playing as part of the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at The Grand Theatre. Tickets range from $10 to $22.

Get your Christmas movie fix from the Volume One Gallery, which will show the clay animation classics, “Frosty the Snowman” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” at 2 p.m. Dec. 17, free of charge.

If the cold and snow keep you on campus, the Woodland Theater in Davies Center will play “Roman Holiday” from Dec. 8-10. Read about the film in our weekly review.

John Hanzal, a first-year information systems and computer science student, said he is excited for the Star Wars movie coming out Dec. 15 and joked it was what he looked forward to this holiday season.

If you want to stay active to warm yourself up during the chilly Eau Claire winter, the Run Santa Run 5K will take place at 10 a.m on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Carson Park; fees range from $15 to $45, depending on when you register.

If one holiday run isn’t enough, the Ugly Sweater Run will take place at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. The event, at Blue Ox on Barstow Street, has no fee, but donations are accepted to support the Community Table. Runners have a choice to run five miles or participate in a 5K.

Eau Claire also has opportunities for winter sporting activities specific to Wisconsin’s climate.

Students can take part in some winter activities not found on campus at ski hills such as Tower Ridge Ski Trails, Pinehurst Park and Flying Eagles Ski Club. Some events are free, while others cost up to $15 for college students.

If staying active isn’t your cup of tea during the winter months, The Local Store is hosting Snacktime Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 17, serving free hot cider, cocoa and cookies.