Santa Claus and Christmas cheer are popping up all over this week in the Rio Grande Valley. Last night, ol’ Saint Nick showed up in a pick-up truck (conforming to South Texas standards) to greet local kids at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen at the “Lights for Life” event. Valley Morning Star staffer Theresa Najera shot that cute pic to the right. Click here for another.

There’s more holiday fun coming up this week. Harlingen’s Arts and Heritage Museum will debut its Christmas Tree and Wreath exhibit on Thursday during a Christmas Extravaganza. Thursday also marks the Jackson Street Holiday Rendevous. The downtown Harlingen event will feature food, beverages, music and merchandise provided by local shops. The historic Brownsville Museum will hold its annual Nacimientos del Mundo display on Friday, featuring nacimientos from all over the world.

Check our local events calendar for more events. We’re adding them every day.

Thursday is Thanksgiving and the RGV is ready to kick off its holiday events season.

Friday marks the annual Lighting of the Island. The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Visitors Center at 600 Padre Blvd. The free event will feature caroling, hot coffee and chocolate, cake, cookies and ol’ Santa Claus.

The Harlingen Museum Association will host a Christmas Extravaganza on Thursday, Nov. 29 at the Arts and Heritage Museum. The event will feature music and will kick off the museum’s Christmas Tree exhibit.

There’s a lot more to come this holiday season. Keep an eye out for events in your town.