family

This column is for all the moms, dads and grandparents who have, or once had, preschool-age children who watched everyone’s favorite primate on television. As I’m sure some of you can relate, I’ve had two children obsessed with the little brown monkey.

On Saturday, November 15th, the Christmas shopping season officially begins when Santa makes his way to the throne where he will delight children every day through Christmas Eve and the members of the Promenade staff are pulling out all the stops to make the jolly elf feel welcome.

First published by Random House in 1992, the Junie B. Jones children’s book series illustrates the challenges faced when navigating the harrowing halls of elementary school. A new musical brings author Barbara Park’s beloved characters to life in “Junie B. Jones: The Musical,” at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

It’s been 25 years since Temecula became an incorporated city and the Community Services Department is pulling out all the stops, with 25 Days of Fun. Beginning November 11th, activities will be held all over town highlighting the people and organizations that make Temecula such a unique and beloved community.

Go Greek this weekend as the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church presents their annual Greek Festival in Old Town. Entertainment includes live Greek music from the bands 4 Greeks LA and Tatoolis and traditional folk dancers, including children, will be on hand to demonstrate their authentic and lively Greek choreography.

It may be just down the road, but Galway Downs Equestrian Center, located in wine country, seems like a world away with its beautiful scenery and rustic charm. Weekends this month, visitors to the Galway Downs October Equestrian Fest have the chance to celebrate the fall season with festive fun for the whole family.

It’s that haunted time of year, where ghosts, goblins, witches, bats and skeletons roam the neighborhood streets. But at the City of Temecula’s Halloween Carnival, they will all be lining up to be judged, along with dozens of Disney princesses, Ninja Turtles and maybe even the Hulk.

Things are getting just a little bit spookier in wine country this month, but not too scary that you can’t bring the kids, as Lorimar Winery hosts two Halloween activities geared at bringing the whole family together for some festive fun.

Put a few horses in your Halloween this season as Galway Downs presents the inaugural year of their Fall Equestrian Fest and Haunted Horse After-party. For those who have had the chance to see a polo match at Galway Downs in Temecula, you know what a breathtaking venue the facility really is and the event team has taken special care in combining the location’s exquisite beauty with autumn family fun.

It’s hard to get into the Halloween spirit when it’s still 90 degrees outside, but the City of Temecula has created the perfect way to combine Indian summer weather with autumn fun. On Friday, October 3rd, the City of Temecula Recreation Department is hosting its annual Pumpkin Plunge where participants of all ages can swim their way to the pumpkin of their choice.