Bookended by Saturday’s Christmas tree lighting and the 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, Waukegan-area residents will find numerous events to intersperse with shopping and other holiday tasks. Among the other annual events will be the Joseph A. Favero Memorial Do It Yourself Messiah and Carol Sing-A-Long, several public visits from Santa Claus, craft-making and donations to keep people warm. “This is a special time of year for families to celebrate,” said Jay Lerner, the executive director of the Waukegan Park District, which is holding more than a dozen events. “It’s a feel-good time of year.” The Waukegan Symphony and Concert Chorus perform Handel’s “Messiah” in a past year at the annual presentation of the singalong event. (Courtesy of Waukegan Park District) The Waukegan community begins its celebration of the winter holiday season with the lighting of the city’s official Christmas tree at 5 p.m. Saturday at Jack Benny Plaza, combined with four events in the downtown area. For those who want some exercise before the tree lighting, they can join the Waukegan Park District-sponsored Go Waukegan Winter Hot Chocolate Walk. The walk takes place between 4 and 5 p.m. at Jack Benny Plaza, where participants can stroll while keeping warm with hot chocolate. Jose Pasillas, the Park District’s manager of marketing and community relations, said though the Go Waukegan Walk is traditionally done in conjunction with the tree lighting, this year hot chocolate was added. Those who choose to shop Saturday can attend the Kris Kringle Market between 3 and 8 p.m. at the Waukegan Public Library. Jennyfer Cordova, the library’s communications and community engagement manager, said more than 30 artisan craft vendors will offer their wares. “Over 80% are from Waukegan,” Cordova said. “There’s art, origami, jewelry, just a wide variety. There will be three caricature artists. We don’t want the line to get too long.” At the Puerto Rican Society,  the group will hold its first-annual Coquito Fest between 5 p.m. and midnight. There will be cash prizes for the best traditional and flavored coquito, according to the city’s social media outlet. Santa Claus will arrive by firetruck before the tree is lit, and then receive a firefighter escort to the library where he will pose for pictures with children and families between 6 and 7:30 p.m. He is scheduled to make a return trip between 10 a.m. and noon on Dec. 14 at Bowen Park. While the city’s tree is lit at Jack Benny Plaza through the holiday season, the library’s Giving Tree will be erect and in service Monday through Dec. 30. Under it will be new and unused hats, gloves, care kits, socks and Mylar blankets. Though they are intended for the less fortunate, Cordova said no questions will be asked of those who partake. “When people walk in, they will notice the tree and see the presents under it,” Cordova said. “Donations are welcome and encouraged.” Another giving event takes place at 6 p.m. on Dec, 9 at the Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center. The cost to participate in a Zumba fitness night is a new, unwrapped toy. Pasillas said they will be donated to the United Way of Lake County for its gift program. Joining the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus for the second consecutive year at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Waukegan High School’s Trapp Auditorium on the Brookside campus for the Favaro “Messiah” concert will be the Master Singers of Milwaukee. “This gives the community a chance to not only enjoy live music, but sing with the concert chorus,” Pasillas said. “They can sing along to ‘The Messiah’ or traditional songs like ‘Deck the Halls,’ ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Silent Night.’” For those seeking to intersperse their shopping and baking with entertainment, Pasillas said people can see a production of “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 13, 14  or 15 at the Jack Benny Theater in Bowen Park. There will also be a family craft-making event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Jane Addams Center, also in Bowen Park. Ending the holiday season will be a Noon Year’s Eve party from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library, and the 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge at 10 a.m. on Jan. 1 at the Waukegan Municipal Beach. Participants in the plunge into Lake Michigan can register with the Park District for $20, according to its website. All proceeds are used to support special recreation.