LAKE IN THE HILLS – Each holiday season, the Lake in the Hills Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate, is transformed into a winter wonderland.

Through the Festival of Trees event, the Parks and Recreation Department spearheads one of the year’s largest food drives to help local food pantries bring Christmas cheer to area residents.

The annual Festival of Trees will kick off with the traditional Santa Ride-In on Dec. 7. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by firetruck at 6 p.m. to perform the tree-lighting ceremony and then stay to hear the Christmas wishes of little girls and boys.