Happy Holidays from Ann Arbor Family! Here's a special guide for all the magical events Southeast Michigan that makes December the most
wonderful time of the year.
ONGOING
Kris Kringle Village
Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way, Downtown Toledo, OH. 419-244-2674 www.imaginationstationtoledo.org
Bring the entire family to the science center to see the giant gingerbread house featuring a fireplace, holiday wreaths and decorations, and of course, candy — lots and lots of candy! The Village will be on display at Imagination Station through January 2, 2012. Visit website for hours of operation and prices.
Lights Before Christmas
Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH.
419-385-5721. www.toledozoo.org
Bundle up the family and make the short trip to Toledo for a grand display with over one million lights, over 200 lighted animal images and the popular Dancing Lights spectacle. Now through December 31. Monday-Thursday, 5-8pm;Friday-Sunday, 5-9pm. $8-$11.
It’s a Wonderful Life
The Encore Musical Theatre Company, 3126 Broad St., Dexter. 734-268-6200. www.theencoretheatre.org
The whole family will enjoy this musical based on the classic holiday film which made its World Premiere at The Encore in 2010. Now through December 23. Thursdays,
7pm;Fridays, 8pm;Saturdays, 3pm & 8pm;Sundays, 3pm. $22-$28.
Santa at Briarwood
Briarwood mall, 100 Briarwood Circle. 734-761-9550. www.shopbriarwood.com
Children can tell Santa their holiday wishes all through the month in a fantastic Christmas setting. Mondays-Saturdays, 10am-8pm;Sundays, 11am-7pm;Christmas Eve, 9am-5pm.
Friday, december 2
Midnight Madness
Main Street, Downtown Ann Arbor.
www.mainstreetannarbor.org
The shops along Main Street will be open late with holiday sales! Santa Claus and Miss Washtenaw County will also be roaming
the sidewalks. 7pm.
24th Annual Chelsea Hometown Holiday
Downtown Chelsea. 734-475-1145
www.chelseafestivals.com
The holiday spirit overtakes Downtown Chelsea every year on the first weekend in December. Santa's arrival kicks off the event and the 7th Annual Holiday Light Parade
on Saturday night is sure to brighten your family's spirits. Go online for the full schedule of events. December 2-4.
KindleFest
Kerrytown Market & Shops,
407 North Fifth Ave. 734-662-5008
www.kerrytown.com
Once again the Kerrytown District Association
offers the community a taste of the German holiday tradition with their version of Chriskindlmarkt known as the KindleFest.
Farmers, artisans and other vendors will be selling a wide range of holiday wares and The Tübingen Sister City Group of Ann Arbor will help add some German cultural flair with pretzels, bratwursts, roasted nuts, Glühwein (a mulled wine) and of course beer! Kids can also illuminate the night during the Annual Children's Lantern Parade. 6-10pm.
Starlight Spree and Tree Lighting
Library Park Plaza, Downtown Ypsilanti. 734-481-0141. www.daypsi.com
Enjoy the Ypsilanti Community Choir leading Christmas carols
and watch Santa arrive as the Christmas tree is lit at the Library Park Plaza. Also save on unique gifts from merchants of Downtown Ypsilanti. 6-8pm. Free.
Saturday, December 3
German Family Christmas
Kempf House Museum, 312 S. Division. 734-994-4898
www.kempfhousemuseum.org
Come and see how a German-American family celebrates Christmas in the early 1900's. Saturdays & Sundays, December 3-11, 1-4pm. Free.
Breakfast with Santa
Olga’s Kitchen, Briarwood mall, 100 Briarwood Circle. 734-761-9550. www.shopbriarwood.com
In support of The Family Hope Fund At the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, families will get the opportunity to have breakfast with jolly ol’ St. Nick. Enjoy stories with Santa and cookie decorating, too. Get tickets early at Guest Servives. Space is limited. 8:30am. $6.
Candlelight Holiday Tours
Century House Cabin, 6829 Summerfield Rd., Lambertville. 734-856-5739.
The rooms of the historic former home of poet/hymnist Ina Duley Ogdon, will be preserved in period decorations with surprise entertainment for a unique holiday experience. Saturday & Sunday, 6-8pm;Wednesday, December 7, 2-4pm. $5.
Traditional Gingerbread House Classes
Whole Foods Market,
3135 Washtenaw Ave. 734-975-4500 www.wholefoods.com
This class offers a great opportunity for parents, grandparents and kids to start the Christmas tradition of making all-natural Gingerbread houses. Register online. December 3 & 10, 11am. $19.99. The
Santa Express
The Old Road Dinner Train,
301 E. Adrian St., Blissfield
1-888-467-2451
www.murdermysterytrain.com
All aboard the Santa Express for Christmas Carols, festive activities, cookies & milk and of course pictures with Santa! Boards 15 minutes before train leaves and the Pizza Train boards 30 minutes before departure. Saturdays, December 3, 10 & 17, 10am & 12:30pm. Pizza Train, December 11, 2pm. $15-$20/$20 & $32 pizza train.
Handel’s Messiah
Hill Auditorium, 825 N University Ave. 734-763-3333 www.ums.com
Start off your holiday season with a spirited “Hallelujah!” as the UMS Choral Union launches the holiday season with its signature work. On Sunday the Pioneer High School String Quartet plays seasonal favorites before the concert begins and during intermission. Saturday, 8pm;Sunday, 2pm. $10-$36.
40th Annual Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale
Dexter Area Historical Society & Museum,
3443 Inverness St.,
Dexter 734-426-2519
www.dextermuseum.org
The Dexter Heritage Guild celebrates the holidays with its annual bazaar and bake sale featuring delightful hand-made gifts for everyone in the family. 9am-3pm. Free.Children's
Holiday Party
Kempf House Museum, 312 S. Division. 734-994-4898
www.kempfhousemuseum.org
The historic Kempf House Museum is decked out for the holidays with elaborate decor and special children’s entertainment with music, refreshments, and goodie bags. 10:30am. $5.
Greens Sale 2011
Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw 734-662-3279 www.annarborcityclub.org
From garlands to wreaths to table décor, select all your festive arrangements in one spot, and browse an Arts & Crafts Show. 9am-12pm. Free.
All The Trimmings Holiday Show
Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, 20501 West Old US Highway 12, Chelsea
734-475-1270
www.chelseafestivals.com
In conjunction with Chelsea's Hometown Holidays, browse through this wonderful artisans' show featuring unique local talent. there'll be woodcarvings, bears, pastels, tiles, folk paintings, textiles, jewelry, and much more. 10am-4pm. Free.
Potters Guild of Ann Arbor Holiday Sale
Guild Studio, 201 Hill Street.
734-663-4970 www.pottersguild.net
The sale, includes both functional and decorative
ceramics, and Christmas ornaments made by more than 40 Potters Guild artists, as well as a selection of specially-priced ceramics for kids under 12. Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm. Free.St. Mary
Annual Christmas Bazaar
St. Mary's Catholic Parish,
331 Thompson St. 734-663-0557
www.stmarystudentparish.org
Over 100 vendors and crafters will be hocking
their holiday wares with a raffle and bake sale to bring in the season. 10am-4pm. Free.
The Annual Downtown Home & Garden Christmas Party
Downtown Home & Garden,
210 S. Ashley St. 734-662-8122
www.downtownhomeandgarden.com
All are welcome to join the holiday cheer with chestnuts roasting on an open fire, eggnog, and a smoked Christmas goose as well as a visit from Santa Claus himself! 10am-1pm.
Christmasat the Mansion
Gordon Hall, Lake Rd & Dexter-Pinckney Rd., Dexter 734-426-2519
www.dextermuseum.org
Take a tour of the festive decorations adorned by the historical Gordon Hall. An antique sleigh will be on display and St. Nick will be stopping in for photos with all the good little boys & girls. Saturday & Sunday, 12-6pm. $1-$5 donations.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
Miracle 34th Street
Michigan Theater, 603 E. liberty St.
734-668-8463 www.michigantheater.org
Share this 1947 holiday classic with your family for Christmas miracles of your own! 1:30pm. Free.
Chills, Trills&Holiday Thrills
WCC Towsley Auditorium, 4800 East Huron River Dr. 734-973-3300
www.ypsilantisymphony.tix.com
Grammy award winning conductor, John McLaughlin Williams teams up with the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra as a violin soloist to perform all the holiday classics. 3:30pm. $6-$30.
Wednesday, December 7
Stile Antico
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 306 North Division St. 734-764-2538 www.ums.org
Working without a conductor, the 12 members of Stile Antico will perform at the beautiful sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Episcopal
Church, a program of Tudor music for Christmas and Advent. 7:30pm. $35-$45.
Thursday, December 8
Sounds of the Season
University Hospital Main Lobby,
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
734-936-2787 www.med.umich.edu
The Dodworth Holiday Brass Ensemble is a brass octet that uses original saxhorns dating
from 1840-1880 to play popular, religious, secular and ethnic (Polish, French, German and Norwegian) Christmas and holiday music. 12pm.
Friday, december 9
Festive Fridays
Main Street, Downtown Ann Arbor
www.mainstreetannarbor.org
Your family will love the free horse drawn carriage rides and live sidewalk entertainment
throughout the Main Street Area as the shops stay open later to cater to delightful evening shopping. December 9 & 16. 7-9pm.
Saturday, december 10
3rd Annual St. Paul UCC Christmas Bazaar
St. Paul United Church of Christ, 122 W. Michigan Ave., Saline 734-429-7716 www.uccstpaul.org
Even bigger than last year, the church will be full of quality works from knitted and crocheted items to jewelry and more made by local artisans. 10am-3pm.
Two Twelve Arts Center Holiday Sale
Two Twelve Arts Center, 212 West Michigan
Ave., Saline. 734-944-2787
www.twotwelvearts.org
Give the gift of quality handmade gifts from local artisans to your loved ones this holiday season and support the arts center. Come to the opening reception on Friday, December 9, 7-9pm. Saturdays, December 10 & 17, 10am-6pm. Free.
The Youth Orchestra December Concert
Michigan Theater, 603 East Liberty St. 734-668-8463 www.aa-spa.org
The Youth Symphony Orchestra with the Junior String Orchestra and the Sterling String Orchestra will showcase their hard work this semester with a spirited performance
of music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and John Williams. 3pm. Free.
Sunday, december 11
It's A Wonderful Life!
Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.
734-668-8463 www.michigantheater.org
This 1946 classic has become an American Christmas tradition that is sure to inspire everyone in the family. 4pm. Free.
saturday, december 17Classical Bells Concert
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room, 343 South Fifth Ave. 734-327-4200
www.aadl.org
Listen to the beautiful sounds of sixty-eight bronze and six aluminum English handbells in the hands of these accomplished musicians.
1pm.
Thursday, december 22
Holiday Harmonies
University Hospital Main Lobby,
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
734-936-2787 www.med.umich.edu
Come enjoy some of your Christmas favorites with the local band Counterpoint. They will entertain you with their blended vocal harmonies and refreshing arrangements. 12pm.
Sunday, december 25
A Christmas Carol
Michigan Theater, 603 E. liberty St.
734-668-8463 www.michigantheater.org
Spend your family's Christmas with everybody's
favorite "Bah Humbug," Ebenezer Scrooge, and forge memories for future Christmas pasts. 4pm. Free.