Los Gatos Weekender: Holiday Shopping, Christmas Tree Lighting, Parade

LOS GATOS HOLIDAY SHOPPING STROLL THURSDAY

The Los Gatos Visitors Bureau, a partnership between the Town of Los Gatos and Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, teams up with downtown merchants to extend holiday shopping hours until 9 p.m. at more than 50 downtown Los Gatos stores for its "Holiday Shopping Stroll" Thursday, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Details: 408-354-9300

LOS GATOS CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Town Plaza Park, corner of Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue, is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m., lighting of tree at 6 p.m. Santa arrives at 6:01 p.m. Hosted by the Los Gatos Community Foundation and the Town of Los Gatos.

57TH LOS GATOS CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAYS PARADE

The 57th Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holidays Parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 in downtown Los Gatos, corner Almedra Avenue and No. Santa Cruz Avenue. Hosted by Los Gatos Lions Club and the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department, annual processional travels down North Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street, rain or shine. With almost 250 entries last year, event attracts nearly 20,000 people each year, with about 7,000 participants and an attendance of about 12,000. Details: parade@lgsrecreation.org.

ART IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS NEW EXHIBIT

The Town of Los Gatos and the Museums of Los Gatos have partnered on a new exhibit showcasing renowned Bay Area artists' works of part of the Art in the Council Chambers program Nov. 1 through Jan. 30, 2014. The program, which has been going on for 13 years, normally presents four exhibits in the chambers, 110 E. Main St., with an evening artist reception being held for each show. The first exhibit features more than 50 artists currently appearing in the Los Gatos Museums Gallery. Details: 408-354-6834.

BACKWARD IS FORWARD EXHIBIT AT LOS GATOS ART MUSEUM

The Museums of Los Gatos presents Backward is Forward: Layer and Impact in Printmaking exhibit through Jan. 12, 2014 at the Art Museum of Los Gatos, 4 Tait Ave. The show features prints by Enrique Chagoya, Hung Liu, Sam Francis, David Gilhooly, Gregory Edwards, Michael Mazur, Frank Lobdell, Andrew Romanoff, Inez Storer, Nathan Oliveira, Erik Bakke, Joan Miro, Marguerite Saegesser, Ruth Wall, Kathy Aoki, Vicky M. Chen, Tom Killion, Jessica Dunne, and Robin McCloskey. Artists have been using printmaking processes for centuries to create thought-provoking works of art, however the details of the medium are often a mystery to viewers. Details: 408-395-7386,

'AMERICAN BOHEMIA: THE CATS ESTATE IN LOS GATOS' EXHIBIT AT HISTORY MUSEUM

The History Museum of Los Gatos at Forbes Mill, 75 Church St., presents "American Bohemia: The Cats Estate in Los Gatos" noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Details: 408-395-7375

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