Events of December 6, 7, and 8, 2019

December 6

The annual – Grotto Club Breakfast Benefit – wii be held December 6, 2019 – 7:00 -11:00 am – 102 East Washington Ave. For a donation, have a wonderful breakfast and support local causes. The Menue includes: Scrambled Eggs, bacon, sausage links, biscuits & gravy, hash browns, toast, orange juice, coffee. Proceeds will benefit the following local charities:   The Jackson Community Food Pantry , Toys for Tots , The Salvation Army of Jackson County , Dirk V. Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Hanging of the Greens.  Alumni and friends of Spring Arbor University are invited to the 19th Annual Hanging of the Greens celebration! Hanging of the Greens is a time for the SAU community and friends to gather and experience the amazing sights and sounds of Christmas. The event is free and open to the public.  The evening’s festivities will kick off with a Christmas concert performed by SAU students, held at at 7 p.m. in the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church. Following the concert, everyone is invited to participate in a candle-lighting ceremony, featuring a Christmas carol sing-along and fireworks. After the ceremony, families can take a break from the chilly weather and warm up at the Community Reception held in the Student Life Center at 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to decorate Christmas cookies, sip hot cocoa, enjoy roasted almonds and balloon animals and visit with Santa Claus.  Throughout the evening, families may also ride though campus on horse-drawn Christmas wagons. Additionally, all are welcome to view the best student artwork of the semester, which will be on display in the Ganton Art Gallery beginning at 8:30 p.m.

The Friends of Grass Lake Township’s Holiday Cheers DJ Trivia Night.  6:00pm-10:30pm, at the Dale Fisher Gallery / Eyre of the Eagle Farm, (1916 Norvell Rd, Grass Lake.   Doors open at 6:00pm; White’s Chicken is catering the dinner which is served at 6:30pm. DJ Trivia begins at 7:30pm. Guests may bring their own team of 8 or can join others for fun.  Tickets may be purchased in advance (online) or will be available at the door.  Advance ticket price: Adult-$15, Children under 10-$5.  Advance ticket purchases are encouraged, and will be available at the door: Adults- $20 Children- $10. It’s ok to BYOB-Bring Your Own Beverage.  Please bring a non-perishable food item or paper product.  In addition to the delicious food and entertaining Trivia games, there is a huge selection of silent auction items. The food / items collected will be donated to the Grass Lake United Methodist Church’s food pantry. Proceeds benefit Friends of Grass Lake Township.   The Holiday Cheers DJ Trivia Night is open to the public. Seating is limited and advance ticket purchases are highly recommended. To purchase tickets online, go to:  https://friends-of-grass-lake-township.square.site.  For more information go to the Friends Of Grass Lake Township’s facebook page or call 517-522-3652.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  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 yearly 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.

Dahlem Holiday Bazaar.  Join us at Dahlem to celebrate the holidays and find those unique gifts for friends and   families! Featuring:  Homemade Baked Goods, Unique, Hand-Crafted Items, Fresh Evergreen Wreaths, Poinsettias, Tree Trims, Bird Feeding Supplies.  10 AM to 4 PM, Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Road, Jackson.

Elf the Musical.  A musical take on “Elf” comes to the Croswell Opera House in Adrian for one more weekend. Based on the 2003 Will Ferrell movie of the same name, the stage musical features original songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, who are also known for the stage adaptation of “The Wedding Singer.”  Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday shows at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:30 PM.  Tickets range from $20 to $40 for adults and are $15 for children. The Croswell is a 640-seat historic theater located at 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. For  tickets and more information, call 517-264-7469 or go to croswell.org.

Red Cross Blood Drive.  9:15 a.m. – 3 p.m., Jackson County Department of Transportation, 2400 Elm Rd, Jackson.

Disney’s Aladdin at Wharton Center.  7:30 PM.  Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. See why audiences and critics agree, Aladdin is “Exactly What You Wish For!” (NBC-TV).  The event will be held at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. For tickets:   visit their website.

Nite Lites Drive Thru Christmas Light Show.  Michigan International Speedway US-12 Entrance only, 12626 US-12, Brooklyn.  5:30 pm – 9 pm Sunday thru Thursday, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm Friday & Saturday.  Pricing: $25 per car, $40 per mini-bus, limo or motor home, $70 per tour bus.   All major credit cards accepted.  Nite Lites Winter Wonderland:  Dec. 6,7,8, Dec. 13,14,15 and Dec. 20,21,22.  Children will have the opportunity to have their photos taken with Santa and make their Christmas wishes.  Photo s will be taken for a small fee or  you are welcome to visit Santa at no charge.  We will be offering a puppet show and train rides.  Winter Wonderland hours: 6pm-9pm, Santa’s hours: 6:00pm-8:30pm.    Live Reindeer nights only:  December 6th, 13th, and 20th (6pm – 9pm).  This event features food and drinks of the season and a visit from Santa Claus himself!

First Friday Series.  7 PM to 9 PM.  Join us in welcoming Zachary Constan of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory on a virtual tour of this Michigan facility where scientists study the inner workings of atoms.  Light appetizers from Cherry Creek Cellars and cash bar available with ticket.  ellaharpmuseum.org.  Ella Sharp Museum.

Motorcycle Mornings Photo Exhibit.  Motorcycle Mornings is a continuing series of early morning southern Michigan roadside photographs by Coley Kennedy taken from the saddle of his 1976 R90/6 BMW motorcycle.    Beginning in 2018, one morning each week, from dawn until just after sunrise, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, Kennedy headed out just before dawn to ride and shoot the rural landscapes of and around his hometown of Jackson County MI.  All photos were shot using a 35mm lens.  5 PM to 9 PM, Art 634, 634 N. Mechanic Street, Jackson.

An Evening with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  Santa Claus can be scary when you are small which is why an Evening with Mr. & Mrs. Claus is the perfect way to introduce young children to Santa. Children are able to approach Santa in their own time & way when they feel comfortable!  Santa will arrive at Funday’s Family Fun Cafe around 5pm (2151 Ferguson Rd. Suite 104 Jackson ).  $5 admission per child for this special night. This event is best for younger children up to age 5 who are unsure or wary of Santa Claus. So start your holiday season off right– Listen to some Christmas tunes, sip Santa’s favorite sipping chocolate, make a fun Holiday craft and enjoy an evening with Santa!

Cocoa, Cookies and Caroling.  What better way to say, “‘Tis the season” than with caroling, cookies, and cocoa? JaxNaz Church invites you to this night for the entire family Friday, December 6 at 6:00p.

December 7

The Arbor Grove Annual Holiday Bazaar will be held in the lower level of the Arbor Grove Congregational Church includes outstanding handcrafted items, baked goods, Cookies By The Pound, and Christmas decorations. Plan to stay for lunch and enjoy the Famous Chicken Casserole, fresh fruit, pies and desserts. Opens at 10 a.m. Closes at 3 p.m.  2621 McCain Rd., Jackson.

Dahlem Holiday Bazaar.  Join us at Dahlem to celebrate the holidays and find those unique gifts for friends and   families! Featuring:  Homemade Baked Goods, Unique, Hand-Crafted Items, Fresh Evergreen Wreaths, Poinsettias, Tree Trims, Bird Feeding Supplies.  10 AM to 4 PM, Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Road, Jackson.

St. John Vendor and Craft Show.  10 AM to 4 PM.  St. John School.  The halls and gym will be lined with crafters and vendors who will have hundreds of items to choose from for that perfect gift for someone else or for yourself.  The school asks that all those who attend use the North Street entrance. 405 East North Street, Jackson. 

Christmas on the Farm.  Christmas on the Farm at Waterloo Fam Museum will take place on December 7th  from 10am to 4pm and December 8th from Noon to 4pm.   This re-creation of the holiday’s traditions will include tours of the 15 room farmhouse adorned in decorations from the period and the Dewey School Museum. Hand-crafted greens, home-made baked goods and gift items will be available for purchase. Refreshments and live music will be on hand.  Admission-Adults $5, Seniors (62+) $4, Children 5-12 yrs $2, under 5 yrs. and WAHS members get in free.  13493 Waterloo Munith Rd., Grass Lake.

Jackson County Drug Summit.  Time: 10am-3:00pm Location: Middle School at Parkside.  ALL ARE WELCOME! The day will include presentations by professionals and community members about the impact of drug use in Jackson County, prevention efforts, as well as treatment and recovery resources.  Registration is free and lunch will be provided.

Grass Lake Festival of Lights.  Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Whistle Stop Park Depot, 215 E. Michigan Ave. in Grass Lake.  It’s a full first weekend in December in Grass Lake, starting with the 10th edition of the Festival of Lights, brought to you by the Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The day starts with the Cookie Quest at the Whistle Stop Park Depot. Tour participating businesses and eat their cookies until 1 p.m. (or until they’re all gone).  There will be raffle baskets, a silent wreath auction and photo opportunities with Santa. You can eat lunch with Kris Kringle from 2 to 3:30 p.m.  The day ends with a parade that heads east through downtown, ending at Lake Street.

Crossroads Pet Resort Pictures with Santa Paws.  Help us spread holiday cheer by bringing your pet/s in for a photo with Santa Paws on Saturday, December 7th!  Call (517) 784-1112 to schedule your reservation (space is limited). Pictures will be taken by Annie B Photography and emailed to pet owners.   The cost is a $10 donation to the Loki Fund (Your donations will be used to help us care for sick or injured stray animals until they’re able to be adopted.)  There will be a free swag bag for each family and yummy treats for both humans and pets.  Note:  All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.  3232 N. Dettman Road, Jackson.

Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Chelsea present The Nutcracker.  Chelsea High School.  2 PM.  Tickets here.

Disney’s Aladdin at Wharton Center.  7:30 PM.  Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. See why audiences and critics agree, Aladdin is “Exactly What You Wish For!” (NBC-TV).  The event will be held at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. For tickets:   visit their website.

December 8

All-A-Merry-Can Christmas Show.  Head to Michigan Theatre to celebrate a Bright Jackson Christmas this year! Nearly seventy-five performers will bring in the holiday season with dance, song and hilarious skits! Fun for the entire family!  Admission price is a non-perishable good(s) or personal hygiene products donation to help needy families in Jackson.  3 PM, Michigan Theatre.

Christmas with the Jackson Chorale.  The Jackson Chorale is proud to present their annual Christmas concert! They will join with Lumen Christi HS and Western HS Choirs to celebrate the season. The concert willl take place at First United Methodist Church Jackson.  Individual tickets are available for purchase here.  O consider buying season tickets for all three concerts… a $45 value for the price of $35! Click here to purchase them!  4 PM, First United Methodist Church, Downtown Jackson. 

Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Chelsea present The Nutcracker.  Chelsea High School.  2 PM.  Tickets here.

Jackson Area Handbells Concert.  Come to Brookside UMC in Vandercook to hear the lovely sounds of the handbells with sprinkling of Christmas songs with piano, vocal and carols!     Should be a very lovely time!   Don’t miss out on this holiday cheer!    It is Sunday, December 8th at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.    Free will donations will go to benefit the music department at Brookside UMC.   Bring friends, family and neighbors!  4000 Francis Street.

Skate with Santa Party at Allskate.  Skate with Santa Party is on Sunday, Dec. 8th 2:30-4:30pm. Adm is $8, or only $4 if you wear a Santa Hat!  Along with Skating and Laser Tag will be the Game Room for a chance to win some really cool prizes! When you get hungry check out our Snack Bar!  Pictures with Santa are Free so don’t forget your camera!  $4 rental skates, Skate Mates are $5 + deposit.  While your there check out the Fantastic Skate Sale and our FUN BUCKS are great Christmas Gifts as well!  Come Skate with Santa!  1313 West North Street.