Many children mail their letters to Santa Claus every year, but they typically don’t get a response until the presents they wished for are or aren’t under the tree on Christmas.

The Kirkland Parks Foundation is hoping to change that with its Santa’s Mailbox initiative. A festively decorated mailbox will be placed outside of the Bank of America building at 101 Kirkland Ave. on Nov. 25 and removed by Dec. 24.

The letters will be regularly collected and delivered to Merrill Gardens, where some of Santa’s “elves” will help write personalized responses. The letters will then be sent to receive a “North Pole, AK” postmark before being delivered back to each child who participates. The foundation anticipates 600 letters will be sent and answered.

In addition to Santa’s Mailbox, Kirkland’s holiday festivities are numerous this season. Here’s a roundup of some of the events happening this year:

• “‘Twas the Night”: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 26 through Dec. 18 at Studio East. Local performers will bring a comedic spin to the familiar holiday poem. Tickets are $19.

• Holiday Art Market: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday from Nov. 26 through Dec. 23 at Kirkland Arts Center. A free open house kickoff party with live music, kids’ art activities, food and drink is scheduled for Dec. 3.

• Small Business Saturday: Starting at noon Nov. 26 in Downtown Kirkland. Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen will give her remarks before a DJ plays holiday music and broadcasts local businesses’ specials.

• Winterfest: 3:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 26 in Peter Kirk Park. Kids’ activities, a visit from Santa Claus, musical performances and a tree lighting are all part of this year’s event.

• Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown: 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Kirkland Performance Center. Pianist and composer David Benoit will perform a concert featuring music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and original music. Tickets are $35.

• Google Lights: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Google Kirkland on the Cross Kirkland Corridor. This year’s event features lights synchronized to music and the opportunity to take pictures in a life-size snowglobe.

• Mixology Class: 3 to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Woodmark Hotel. Learn how to make festive cocktails. Tickets are $25.

• “Winter in the North Countree”: 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at Kirkland Performance Center. Master Chorus Eastside will take a musical journey through northern lands, peoples and their ancient customs. Tickets are $15-20.

• “In Mary’s Arms: Christmas with Baroque Women Composers”: 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at Northwest Cellars. Early Music Underground is presenting a program of music by 17th-century female composers. Tickets are $25 and include a wine tasting.

• “Scrooge”: 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at Kirkland Performance Center. Kirkland Music Academy will put on its original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic. Tickets are $20.

• “The Elves and the Toymaker”: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 17-18 and 20 at Kirkland Performance Center. StoryBook Theater presents a family-friendly holiday musical. Tickets are $15.

• Cookie Decorating with Chef Nicole: 1 to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at Woodmark Hotel. Decorate house-made cookies and enjoy cocoa and holiday refreshments. At least one adult must be present with each child. The cost is $10 per person.

• 30th Anniversary of Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice: 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at Kirkland Performance Center. Musicians Will Ackerman, Barbara Higbie, Alex de Grassi and Todd Boston will perform an acoustic concert. Tickets are $35.

• Bulgarian Christmas Celebration: 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Kirkland Performance Center: The Christmas show presented by the Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center of Seattle features professional performers and amateur groups. Tickets are $10.

• Geoffrey Castle’s 9th Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration: 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at Kirkland Performance Center. The nationally renowned electric violinist will lead a troupe of operatic vocalists, musicians and Irish dancers. Tickets are $20-35.

• Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Carillon Point. The popular Christmas ships will include Dickens carolers, kids’ activities and a visit from Santa. Admission is free; warm beverages and snacks will be available to purchase.

For more events, find the Kirkland Reporter calendar online at kirklandreporter.com/calendar.