Navidadfest, an annual tradition, is coming back this year. A free holiday celebration at Sames Auto Arena that will take place on Wednesday, December 06, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The public will be treated to free ice skating (limited sessions), photos with Santa Claus (limited space), arts & crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, a snow slide, train rides, live performances by local student choirs, pet adoptions, Santa’s Workshops, and the annual tree-lighting countdown.
While the event is free, attendees must have a ticket in order to take a picture with Santa or participate in ice skating. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on December 06, starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Sames Auto Arena box office. There will be a limited amount of tickets given for ice skating per session (7 sessions in total; 4 tickets per family) and 300 tickets for pictures (1 ticket per family) with Santa. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. and the festivities start at 4:00 p.m.
Ice-skating sessions are 30 minutes at a time and require a written liability release form signed on-site by a participating adult individual or by the participant’s parent or legal guardian. Skate sizes may be limited, but participants can also bring their own ice skates. Attendees are encouraged to dress warm as the indoor temperature will be cold. No food, drinks or cellphones are allowed in the ice rink.
The City of Laredo Animal Care Services Department will showcase pets available for adoption. Adoption fees will be waived during this event.
Lastly, Santa Claus will help Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño and special guests light up the Christmas Tree at 7:00 p.m.
People heading to the event are asked to observe all posted traffic signals and barricades, as well as Police Officers staffing the major intersections assisting in the event.
For more information on Navidadfest 2023, call Sames Auto Arena at (956) 791-9192 or visit www.samesautoarena.com.
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