HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

 

Holly Day Market 2018

November 30 through December 2

Lexington Convention Center

The 12th annual Lexington Junior League Holly Day Market is Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 at the Lexington Convention Center. Daily events including cookies and pictures with Santa, door hanger workshop, Friday happy hour, and a wreath auction, are sure to make the market fun and memorable for all!

 

holiday: santa claus sitting waving at the cameraSanta’s Workshop at Hamburg

Opens December 1

Hamburg Pavilion

Santa’s Workshop is opening at Hamburg Pavilion. Visit Hamburg Pavilion this Christmas season with the entire family every weekend in December starting Saturday, Dec. 1 for photographs with Santa, cocoa and storytime with Mrs. Claus on Sundays, and horse and carriage rides. The workshop is open every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm and Sunday from noon until 5 pm through December.

 

A Kentucky Christmas at Ashland

December 1

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

The grounds around the Henry Clay estate mansion will be transformed into an outdoor holiday marketplace featuring Kentucky Proud products and a variety of artisan vendors during this festive event, starting at 1 pm. The estate’s house and trees will be illuminated at 5:15 pm and special candlelit tours of the mansion will be offered at 5:30 pm.

 

Storytime with Mrs. Santa Claus

December 1

Waveland State Historic Site

Despite her busy schedule as CEO of North Pole Industries, Mrs. Santa Claus has agreed to take a sleigh down to Lexington on Dec. 1 to visit Waveland to share holiday stories, milk, cookies, and fun. This event is designed for children ages 12 and younger, and at least one accompanying adult. She will also drop by on Dec. 8 and 15, at 10:30 am. Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures and will accept letters to pass on to Santa.

 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Opens December 1

Lexington Opera House

Despite his friends’ cheer and excitement, Charlie Brown is not in the Christmas spirit. Sally is making her Christmas list, Snoopy is decorating his doghouse, and Charlie Brown is wondering what it’s all for. But when Charlie Brown thinks he ruined Christmas, the Peanuts help each other remember what friendship is all about. There will be public performances Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 and 7 pm; Dec. 2 at 2 pm; and Dec. 8 at 2 pm.

 

Celtic Woman: The Best of Christmas

December 1 at 8 pm

Norton Center for the Arts in Danville

Celebrate this holiday season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman as they present The Best of Christmas with a full orchestra.

 

Lexington Philharmonic – A Cathedral Christmas

December 1 at 8 pm

Cathedral of Christ the King

LexPhil makes a return to the stunning Cathedral of Christ the King to present an array of selections from the sacred repertoire in A Cathedral Christmas, including Vivaldi’s Concerto for 2 Trumpets and Vaughan Williams’ The First Nowell: A Nativity Play.

 

Big Blue Santa

December 4 from 6 to 9 pm

Fayette Mall

Let’s all face facts, Santa Claus is a member of the Big Blue Nation. Stop by Fayette Mall to meet Big Blue Santa and have your picture made on this special evening with Santa in his Kentucky Blue suit along with the Kentucky Wildcat mascots. Santa’s Workshop is located in the Dillard’s Court.

 

A Christmas Carol

December 4 at 7 pm

EKU Center for The Arts

This celebrated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is rich with enchanting ensemble music, alive with color and movement, and tells the magical tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim in a way people of all ages enjoy. Throughout this classic story are beautiful new arrangements and moving renditions of holiday favorites, including “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Wassail Wassail,” “Good Christian Men Rejoice,” “Away In A Manger,” “Greensleeves,” and many more.

 

Lexington’s Christmas Parade

December 4 at 7 pm

Main Street between Midland Avenue & Mill Street

Santa Claus swoops down from his North Pole workshop to visit the children of Lexington during the annual Downtown Lexington Christmas Parade. The fun will kick off at 7 pm and will feature floats, bands, and classic cars. The parade is scheduled for rain or shine.

 

Lexington Singers: “Messiah: A Christmas Story”

December 7 at 7:30 pm

Singletary Center for The Arts

The Lexington Singers will present “Messiah: A Christmas Story,” selections from the time-honored Messiah by George Frideric Handel, as well as other sacred and seasonal favorites to tell the Christmas story as never before told. American tenor and Metropolitan Opera star Gregory Turay will headline the all-star cast of soloists.

 

Pajama Storytime Featuring The Polar Express

December 7 at 7 pm

Hamburg Barnes & Noble

Grab your PJ’s and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and storytime with “The Polar Express.” This beloved Christmas story features a young boy who is welcomed aboard on a magical trip to the North Pole where he gets to make his Christmas wish.

 

YMCA Reindeer Ramble

December 8 at 9 am

Keeneland Race Course

The 13th annual YMCA Reindeer Ramble 5K/10K Fun Run and Walk will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at Keeneland Race Course. The Reindeer Ramble is a wonderful way to participate in a 5K or 10K while supporting scholarships for kids attending YMCA summer camps. Participants are encouraged to don their favorite holiday sweater, Santa suit, or “holiday festive” attire and embrace the spirit of the holiday.

 

Pictures with Santa

December 8 from 11 am to 2 pm

Man O’War Harley-Davidson

Get holly and jolly with Man O’War Harley. Santa’s is coming to visit on December 8 to take photos with you, the kids, and even the pets! Digital copies will be available online two days after.

 

A Magical Cirque Christmas

December 8 at 7:30 pm

EKU Center for The Arts

A holiday entertainment blockbuster set to dazzle audiences of all ages. Featuring the best talent from around the globe, A Magical Cirque Christmas has it all – jaw-dropping magic, breathtaking circus acts, and the most angelic voices singing your favorite Christmas carols with incredible live musicians on stage. Be transported to the golden age of entertainment by the mind-blowing talents, stunning costumes, comedy and more.

 

Drive Thru Bethlehem

December 8 from 6 to 9 pm

South Elkhorn Christian Church

Join South Elkhorn Christian Church for this community event as they retell the Christmas story. Drive through Bethlehem is live with actors and animals portraying the story of Jesus’ birth.

 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

December 12 at 7:30 pm

EKU Center for The Arts

From fleeing the Abominable Snow Monster to saving Christmas, join Rudolph and his friends Clarice, Hermey the Elf, and Yukon Cornelius as their adventures teach us that what makes you different can be what makes you special.

 

Nutcracker in One Act

December 14 at 7 pm

Singletary Center for the Arts

The Bluegrass Youth Ballet presents ‘Nutcracker in One Act’ Friday, Dec. 14 at 7 pm. In this holiday favorite, the Nutcracker comes to life after saving charming Clara from the Rat Queen and whisks her away to the magical kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

 

The Nutcracker

December 15 at 1 pm and 6 pm

Transylvania University

The LDF Ballet Academy is performing “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, December 15 at 1 pm and also at 6 pm. LDF Ballet Academy is a non profit academy with a mission to share the art of ballet with the community. Registration is required.

 

Holiday Open House

December 15 from 11 am to 4 pm

Join Windy Corner Market for their annual Holiday Open House. Enjoy hot cocoa or cider while meeting vendors, sampling delicious food, and shopping.

 

 

 

This article also appears on page 8 & 9 of the December 2018 print edition of Hamburg Journal.

For more Lexington, KY, Hamburg area news, subscribe to the Hamburg Journal weekly digital newsletter.

To advertise in Hamburg Journal, call 859.268.0945