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Rogue Valley Santa Sightings By Kevin Opsahl Nov 18, 2022 12:15 AM A A 3 View all photos Julie DeRurange takes a picture of her son, Lincoln, with Santa at the Providence Festival of Trees at the Medford Armory. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Mail Tribune file photo. Koen Scheidegger, 4, of Central Point, visits with Santa during Medford's Winter Lights Festival. [Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch] Oh, oh, oh! Who wouldn’t go? With so many ways to see or meet Santa during the holiday season in the Rogue Valley, it would be hard for any family willing to embrace the Christmas spirit to say “no!” to the opportunity. Community venues hosting Santa (and sometimes, his wife, Mrs. Claus, as well as Donner and Blitzen) run the gauntlet from The Village at Medford Center to Providence Community Health Foundation. “Santa is for the whole family,” Leslie Lundin, co-owner of The Village. “He’s someone that is a good listener and completely nonjudgmental — ‘Open up and tell me whatever you want,’ and Santa will appreciate it. It’s like a little Santa therapy.” The following is a list of events and organizations hosting Santa in 2022. Rogue Valley Mall Santa will be in the Center Courtyard near Macy's Home Store, 1600 N. Riverside Ave., Medford. A “soft opening” is scheduled for Nov. 23, with an official opening Nov. 25. Santa’s set will close Christmas Eve. The dates and times to see Santa and get pictures taken with him are: Nov. 25-Dec. 15: Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.; Sunday: noon to 2:30 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Dec. 16-22: Monday through Friday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.; Sunday: noon to 2:30 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:45-5 p.m. Ashland Festival of Light The festival will be at 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25, in downtown Ashland. The parade will start at the county library branch and end at the downtown plaza. Santa will be part of the parade, organizers said, but details of his involvement beyond that portion of the festival are still being worked out. There is no cost to attend the parade. Providence Festival of Trees The public viewing, put on by Providence Community Health Foundation, will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Highway, Medford. Central Point Parade and tree lighting The parade will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, along Pine Street. The tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. the same day, behind City Hall, 140 S. Third St., and the library, 116 S. Third St. Breakfast with Santa The event will be held in two sessions: 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 10-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Santo Community Center, 701 N. Columbus Ave., Medford. Admission is free for children, $6 for ages 16 and older. Each session is limited to 125 people. Medford Winter Lights Festival The city of Medford will host its event from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday Dec. 3, at Pear Blossom Park, 204 N. Bartlett St., Medford. There is no cost of admission. Selfies with Santa The Village at Medford Center will kick off “Selfies with Santa,” 3-6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, 711 Medford Center, Medford. The event runs every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. There is no cost to attend, but donations are encouraged because the event features a different Santa every week who is supporting a different local charity. Jacksonville The Victorian Christmas tree lighting: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at New City Hall, 206 N. Fifth St., Jacksonville. Residents can catch Father Christmas again from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27, and weekends through Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Beekman Bank, California and Third Street, Jacksonville. There is no charge for taking your own photos with Father Christmas. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.