Events of December 10, 11, and 12, 2021

December 10

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at the Michigan Theatre. Join us for our yearly free movie sponsored by Derek Dobies. The screening is dedicated to Derek’s father as a celebration of their family’s annual event. It’s free!. Beer specials all night. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. Film Starts at 7:00 P.M. FREE ADMISSION! Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.

Christmas Town Craft Show. Christmas Town will wrap up with a holiday-themed craft show on December 10th and 11th that will allow all of Santa’s big helpers to finish their shopping for Christmas. 10 AM to 4 PM. $3 entry fee. Over 85 handmade craft vendors. American 1 Event Center, Keeley Park, Downtown Jackson.

Live Music at Jackson Coffee Company. Every Friday evening, enjoy free entertainment on our 2nd floor, featuring popular local and regional acts. Tonight, Dan Hazlett. 7 to 10 PM. Jackson Coffee Company, corner of Mechanic and Cortland Streets, Downtown Jackson.

Jackson Pottery & Clay Guild Mug Sale. 7 AM – 5 PM. Jackson Pottery & Clay Guild will host the Annual Mug Sale on both December 3 & 10, 2021. Jackson Coffee Company, 201 S Mechanic St, Jackson. The Jackson Pottery & Clay Guild is a non-profit organization located in Jackson, MI. We are a community of potters, professional and nonprofessional, who love the art of clay.

SAU Cheer Gift Wrapping Fundraiser. 4 PM to 7 PM. Do you hate wrapping your own presents? Drop your presents off with SAU Cheer and let us do the work! Please join in supporting the Spring Arbor Cheer team. All funds raised will go towards attending the National Cheerleading Championship in Daytona. Bring your gifts to us and SAU Cheer will wrap them for you while you enjoy cookies and hot cocoa! Gift Wrapping – $2 per gift. Choice of wrapping paper. Bows – add $1. Tags – add $1. The Arbor Church, 120 E. Main Street, Spring Arbor. All funds raised will go towards helping the team pay for the trip to compete in the NCA National Championship in Daytona in April.

Holiday Makers Market. Features pottery, fine art, maple syrup, locally supported honey, handcrafted holiday decor, and more! Ella Sharp Museum, 3225 Fourth St, Jackson. It Runs Noon-5 pm. December 10-12, 2021. jacksonmakersmarket@gmail.com

Holiday Celebrations Exhibition. The “Holiday Celebrations” exhibition is now on view through December 29, 2021 and is free to the public in the main lobby at Ella Sharp Museum. “Holiday Celebrations” highlights holidays and celebrations around the world and will include displays and hands-on activities about Hanukkah, Los Posadas, Christmas, Kwanza, and more! Learn more about our current exhibits on view: ellasharpmuseum.org/exhibits/

Nite Lites Christmas Light Show. Join us for Nite Lites at Michigan International Speedway! Nite Lites is a drive-thru light display spanning 5-miles across MIS property. November 25 through December 31. Michigan International Speedway, US-12 Entrances only, 12626 US Highway 12, Brooklyn, MI 49230 (Westbound use Lot 8 Entrance, Eastbound use Graves Family Entrance). 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday | 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday. Cost: $25 per car (Sunday-Thursday), $30 per car (Friday & Saturday), $45 per minibus, limo, or motorhome, $100 per tour bus. Cash and credit cards accepted. Visitors pay at the ticket booth and receive an entry ticket. For more details: http://www.nitelitesshow.com.

ARTitude. ARTitude is an annual pop-up holiday marketplace now open at the Masonic Temple, 145 W. Cortland in Downtown Jackson. We offer a booth-style marketplace for artists to display and sell their work throughout the Holiday season. The marketplace will be open for business through Friday, December 24th. Our regular hours will be Tuesdays through Saturdays 11a.-7p. and Sundays 11a.-4p.

Community Food and Coat Drive. The Jackson Community Food Pantry and other local organizations are working to provide much-needed items for the holiday season. Drop off your donations at any of the following locations, or visit our Grand Finale Food & Coat Drive December 17th in downtown Jackson to make a donation. Experience Jackson is one of the drop-off locations, at 134 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI 49201. Finale Event: December 17, 2021, Noon-2 pm, 100 S. Jackson Street
Jackson.

Now accepting canned goods, coats, and gloves at the following Jackson locations:

McKibbin Media Group – 1700 Glenshire Dr.
Harvest Solar – 2218 E. High St.
True Community Credit Union – Jackson branches
County National Bank – Jackson branches
Tripp’s Auto Shop – 2999 W. Michigan Ave.
Jim Winter Auto Group – 3303 W. Michigan Ave.
Jack V Butterfield Investment Co – 100 S. Jackson St. #100
Emmons Service – 913 Water St.
Jackson Community Food Pantry – 701 Greenwood Ave.
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce/Experience Jackson – 134 W. Michigan Ave.
Jackson 10 – 1501 N. Wisner St.
JTV – 152 West Michigan Avenue

See some of the preferred wishlist items HERE.

Find out more here.

December 11

JSO presents The Nutcracker with Ballet Chelsea. Ballet Chelsea proudly presents its 24th annual performance of The Nutcracker, a Christmas Eve tale about a young girl named Marie and her magical journey to the enchanted Kingdom of Sweets. Choreographed by Artistic Director Wendi DuBois, the Ballet Chelsea company artists, and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra musicians will come together for the fourth year to present this annual full-length, narrated ballet. 2 PM and 7 PM Saturday, 2 PM Sunday. Tickets here and at the door. Potter Center Music Hall, Jackson College.

Laith Al-Saadi in Concert. 7:00 PM. MICHIGAN THEATRE OF JACKSON, 124 N Mechanic St Jackson. Laith Al-Saadi is a cross between Danny Gatton and Buddy Guy at their best. – GUITAR WORLD MAGAZINE Back in Jackson by popular demand, Laith Al-Saadi returns to The Michigan Theatre of Jackson with his authentic blend of blues, soul and classic rock. Laith Al-Saadi is an Ann Arbor-based blues/rock musician who honed his skills at the University of Michigan where he received a degree in Jazz Guitar and Bass. In 2016, he won America’s hearts and a spot in the finale of NBC’s “The Voice.” “Laith is one of the most diverse talents we have,” said Maroon 5 frontman and “The Voice” coach Adam Levine. “Incredible guitar player, incredible singer.” With Special Guest…The Claudettes. Tickets at the door and here.

John Louis Good Record Release Party. 7 PM. Ironbark Brewing Company. Come party with JLG and the Rose City Troubadours as we release our latest record “Get Back”. Full band show. CDs and merch available at the show. 2610 Kibby Road, Jackson. 7 PM to 10:30 PM.

Christmas at the Park. Heritage Park, Hanover. Santa is coming to town! Celebrate Christmas in the Park at Heritage Park with Hanover Horton Area Historical Society on December 11 from 1:00-4:30 pm. Santa will arrive via a fire truck at 1:30 pm. The day will include gift bags for the kids, games and crafts, and cookie decorating. There will be a bake sale, light refreshments and live entertainment… along with a box to collect non-perishable food items.

Chillin’ with Santa and Friends. 2 PM to 6 PM. Arbor Grove Congregational Church. Come join us for a trip through the North Pole to see Santa and friends! Our journey starts off with the Conductor of the Polar Express leading the way to see Elsa, The Grinch, Snoopy and Friends, and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet you at the end to collect letters and spread well wishes and cheer. Children will be provided the opportunity to fill out a wish list to Santa that he will respond to. They will also receive a goody bag. This event is “Drive Through” style which means that you never need to leave your vehicle. Stay warm inside your car while we entertain you. No need to wait in lines at the mall or trudge through the snow. This is a free event for our community and weather permitting. Please enter from McCain Rd and Exit on Spring Arbor Rd. We can’t wait to see you at the North Pole! Chillin with Santa and Friends – A Drive Through Experience. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021. 2 PM – 6 PM. Arbor Grove Congregational Church, 2621 McCain Rd, Jackson.

Jackson County Museum Holiday Events. Jackson County Museums have geared up for the 2021 holiday season with special exhibits, events, and decor. Here are just a few of the highlights of each you’ll find to enjoy. Download a printable poster with this information here.

Ella Sharp Museum
3225 Fourth St, Jackson, MI 49203

11/26-12/29 – Holiday Celebrations Exhibit

11/27-28, 12/3-5 & 12/10-12, noon-5pm
Holiday Makers Market – Shop pottery, fine art, maple syrup, locally sourced honey, handcrafted holiday décor & more.

12/8, 12/15, 6 & 7pm
Celebrate the Holiday and traditions during a historical candlelit tour of the Ella Sharp Museum’s grounds & Hillside Farmhouse.

12/18-22,11:30am, 2:30pm
Daily Winter Break Planetarium Show; Let It Snow, an animated musical of holiday songs for all ages from Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and more!

Michigan Military Heritage Museum
311 N Wisner St, Jackson, MI 49202
Military-themed Christmas displays during open hours.

Lost Railway Museum
142 W Michigan Ave, Grass Lake, MI 49240
Joining Grass Lake for community Christmas events.

Mann House (Michigan History Center)
205 Hanover St, Concord, MI 49237
Home for the Holidays Event
Mann House Open Hours to Public
12/ 10, 6-8 pm ,12/12, 2-6pm

Hanover-Horton Area Historical Society
105 Fairview St, Hanover, MI 49241
12/11, 1-4:30pm – Event center and museum decorated, Santa, bake sale, kid’s activities, treats, Jackson College Jazzy Jets. Hanover-Horton Historical Society is hosting Christmas at the Museum, with special events on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Conklin-Reed Organ Museum. 1-4:30pm. FREE ADMISSION.

December 12

JSO presents The Nutcracker with Ballet Chelsea. Ballet Chelsea proudly presents its 24th annual performance of The Nutcracker, a Christmas Eve tale about a young girl named Marie and her magical journey to the enchanted Kingdom of Sweets. Choreographed by Artistic Director Wendi DuBois, the Ballet Chelsea company artists, and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra musicians will come together for the fourth year to present this annual full-length, narrated ballet. 2 PM Sunday. Tickets here and at the door. Potter Center Music Hall, Jackson College.

Toys for Tots Benefit Jam at 308 Brass Rail. Event starts at 2 PM, music from 3 PM to 8 PM. Featuring Big Nasty, FLYTE, Trailer Park Peep Show, and Surgical Strike. Admission: One new unwrapped toy or $5 donation. Donation money will be used 100% to purchase more toys. Presented by Eagle Riders Aerie 612 and 308 Brass Rail. 308 Brass Rail, 308 West Prospect Street.

Jollypalooza Holiday Gift Shop. 10 AM to 4 PM. Commonwealth Commerce Center. With the “chip shortage” being a real thing, why worry about what’s stuck on some container in the middle of the ocean, when you can head down to the Commonwealth Commerce Center and purchase some amazing, often hand-made gifts from a local native who has gifts on hand, right now! This time around we are going to be opening up to MORE vendors from companies like Scentsy, Mary Kay, Avon, Colorstreet, etc – but of course we are going to have a lot of regular booths that will bring an amazing assortment of crafts, collectibles, and incredible gifts for the good boys and girls on your Christmas list! Free admission.

Nite Lites Christmas Light Show. Join us for Nite Lites at Michigan International Speedway! Nite Lites is a drive-thru light display spanning 5-miles across MIS property. November 25 through December 31. Michigan International Speedway, US-12 Entrances only, 12626 US Highway 12, Brooklyn, MI 49230 (Westbound use Lot 8 Entrance, Eastbound use Graves Family Entrance). 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday | 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday. Cost: $25 per car (Sunday-Thursday), $30 per car (Friday & Saturday), $45 per minibus, limo, or motorhome, $100 per tour bus. Cash and credit cards accepted. Visitors pay at ticket booth and receive an entry ticket. For more details: http://www.nitelitesshow.com.

Public Planetarium Show: The Sun, Our Living Star. 1 PM. Hurst Planetarium, Ella Sharp Museum. As we head into winter, let’s heat up with our stellar, the Sun! It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. The passage of the Sun’s fiery disc across the sky — day by day, month by month — was the only way to keep track of time for countless past civilizations. This show includes a live night sky tour of the Winter Jackson night sky. Register online at ellasharpmuseum.org

Event Submission for Today in the J