Tis the season. Capitol Hill is jumping in with both stockings starting this week with a Santa’s bagful of returning holiday traditions — including the annual Capitol Hill Block Party-powered Holiday Hotspot.

The Hotspot promotion returns thanks to the continued support of CHBP producers as part of an informal community mitigation plan struck to help support area businesses that lose revenue — and sometimes patience — during the summer festival. The roster of Joy to the World-level fun to be had is even deeper for the 2014 edition of this weekend’s three-day event:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH
6pm Cal Anderson Park and Capitol Hill Sound Transit Street Star Lighting

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH
*Santas will be wandering the streets within the The Capitol Hill Block Party footprint on Saturday. Get your gifts wrapped FREE in Capitol Hill stores for on Saturday and Sunday.

10am-5pm Seattle Area Support Groups (SASG) Pop-Up Christmas Tree Lot located in parking lot behind Havana. Activities include portraits by E. Lin, Holiday Mascots, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence caroling, coffee, cocoa and cider. Free tree delivery by bike is available from the SASG tree lot.

11am-1pm Kid’s Party at Elliott Bay Book Company. Includes face painting, holiday mascots, live performance by rock band, the The Board of Education.

2pm-4pm Cookie decorating in the Cal Anderson Park Holiday Shelter House.

4pm-6pm Santa Pictures in Cal Anderson’s Park Shelter House. Alternative Santas include: Stacy Peck (CHILDBIRTH), Kat Larson, and Joey Veltkamp.

6pm-9pm Holiday Party at The Rhino Room w/ live music by Silly Goose Band (Jenn Ghetto’s Blink 182 cover band), Dancer and Prancer, DJ Nick Fenton and more. Santas will be getting jolly at the party as well as a variety of holiday mascots. Limited FREE tickets!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH
Get your gifts wrapped in Capitol Hill stores on Saturday and Sunday.

10am-5pm SASG Pop-Up Christmas Tree Lot will be open with free tree delivery via bikes.

Cal Anderson Park Shelter House will be decorated with lights.

Capitol Hill-adays

• Buried in all that seasonal fun, don’t miss Friday’s edition of the Stars on Broadway ceremony (6 PM at Broadway and John) honoring this year’s most honorable Capitol Hill nonprofits. Here are the nonprofits — and their star-creating artists — from 2013.
• How about some Santa action? In addition to Santa’s visit to the Hotspot, you can meet the big guy on E Pike Friday night for Bad Santa Photos at the Unicorn. On First Hill, St. Nick plays it classy with a Saturday visit to the Stimson-Green Mansion. Finally, be warned: There’s still no set itinerary for this year’s Santarchy.
• For a more traditional (and chilly!) start to things, the school invites its neighbors to be part of its annual Seattle University Christmas Tree Lighting, WEDNESDAY 6:30 PM.
• Tradition! Menorahs and Mitzvahs takes place at 16th Ave’s Jewish Family Service Capitol Hill campus on Sunday, December 7th: Explore themes and traditions of Chanukah with our email series, culminating in a get-together to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
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  Seattle U’s 2013 tree (Image: CHS)

  More tradition. Be part of the 56th annual Julfest at E Pike’s First Covenant, Sunday starting at 4 PM:
  Julfest is a Scandinavian-style Advent service, featuring a full evening of Christmas music and a traditional St. Lucia procession. This year’s program will be held on December 7th at 4pm. It will be the 56th annual Julfest celebration at First Covenant Church, and include lessons and carols in Swedish and English. A candlelight reception will be held in the Summit building afterwards with coffee and Swedish treats.

• Later in the month, December 11th brings A Holiday in Volunteer Park to the Conservatory for lights and carols.
• Trees: In addition to its Holiday Hotspot pop-up, SASG’s tree lot is open every day, through December 23rd from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at 17th and Thomas. Meanwhile, Stevens Elementary holds its annual fundraiser this weekend with trees and greenery for sale at 19th and Galer.