Once a year, the sounds of Christmas carols fill the air for an evening in the small Niagara-on-the-Lake community of Chautauqua.

It’s like something out of a classic story book, as local residents take their annual stroll, singing to neighbours and spreading a bit of holiday joy to all who wish to listen — and probably a Scrooge or two who don’t.

Kids run around, and families singing beneath street lights, all led by a horse-drawn carriage and Santa Claus himself.

About 50 people showed up this year, meeting at Chautauqua Park.

Before things kicked off, CRA president John Gleddie encouraged the kids in attendance to shout “We love Santa!”

The big man in red heard their calls, and came down the street shortly after in a sleigh led by Sentineal Carriages’ locally-famous horse Obie.

The stroll finished up back at the park, where singers warmed up by the campfire, roasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate. Kids also got to take sleigh rides around Circle Street with Santa.

The evening also acts as a food drive for Newark Neighbours, a local charity which provides generously to families in need. A picnic table was covered in donations by the end of the night.