Old World Christmas

Want to get immersed in a winter wonderland without driving to Vermont?

Hit the northeast side of Huntington Beach for all the holiday happenings this weekend.

In Old World Village (7561 Center Avenue), experience a traditional European Christmas, sans the snow. From noon to 4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 17, take a seat on old St. Nicholas’ lap or ride along the village streets in an old-fashioned horse and carriage.

Cyndie Kasko, daughter of village founders Josef and Delores Bischof, brought Germany to Southern California hoping to share her family traditions with beach city locals.

“I think it’s important … to understand where the traditions come from; it’s not just about Santa Claus and gifts,” Kasko said. “It’s a time to come together for families and enjoy each other.”

For instance, the Krist Kind — or Christ Child, an angel that delivers toys on Christmas — will be reading stories all Sunday afternoon about the different holiday traditions around the world.

“In Germany, you don’t say Santa brought the gifts on Christmas, you say the Krist Kind did,” Kasko said.

In German tradition, St. Nick delivers his goodies on the first Sunday of December. Children place their shoes outside the night before and if they were good all year, the shoes are filled with presents the next morning.

“If not, well, there’s just an empty shoe,” Kasko said.

Naughty children beware, though, because more than just an empty shoe awaits on these little German streets. Knecht Ruprecht, or the Bad Santa, searches for misbehaving children, whom he places in a sack he carries.

“It’s funny to have the kids look at their parents, hoping mom says they were good,” Kasko said.

At the Kids Kraft Korner, there are plenty of cool activities planned for the kids, including constructing paper lanterns, ornaments and gingerbread houses.

Kids can bring an ornament from home or show off their creations made in the craft area by decorating the village Christmas tree before a lighting ceremony at 4 p.m.

“We’ll put the ornaments on the tree and then sing carols,” Kasko said.

The gifts will be put on the tree and presents — like nuts and oranges — will be hung on the branches like ornaments, Kasko added.On Dec. 17, Old World will light a menorah. Michele Weiss will hold a public ceremony celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah with a 5-foot menorah, which will be lighted at 4:30 p.m.

“We had a late start getting the word out there, but everything has really come together,” Kasko said.

Visit the Old World website (www.oldworld.ws) for a full list of activities.