Saturday fun

Friday, Dec. 6 — Can’t wait to kick off the holiday season? Can’t seem to get into the spirit? Whatever the case may be, the Greater Lansing area offers a weekend worth of events that will calm your yuletide craving or sway you from your Scrooge ways.

All events take place Saturday, Dec. 7:

Noon-5 p.m. The Old Town Dickens Village is back for its 7th Annual Victorian festival. The free event will offer stations throughout the streets and shops of Old Town for all members of the family. Kids can enjoy face painting, cookie decorating and beard craft-making. Adults can take part in wine tasting, and winter ice sculpture demonstrations. Everyone can watch the screening of a holiday movie and vote in the hot cocoa competition between two local businesses. The New Artisian Market will be open for this year’s festival at the Old Town Marquee. There will be locally made merchandise, as well as showing local art. Live music will be provided by the Equality Band and the Bases Loaded Tuba Quartet. The Okemos High School Carolers will be strolling the village singing classic songs, along with Dickens characters. Carriage rides will be offered to give the 18th century feel, and the village will also host pictures with Santa. For more information, visit iloveoldtown.org.

3-6 p.m. Winter Glow is free outdoor festival taking place in Downtown East Lansing. The festival will offer a children’s carnival and a meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Kids will also have the chance to meet the famous reindeer at a petting zoo. There will also be an outdoor farmer’s market selling winter goods such as artisan bread, maple syrup, chocolates, pickles and honey to name a few. There will also be carriage rides for the family and a heated Jingle Jam music tent to warm up. 5 p.m. will mark the lighting of the winter luminaries. East Lansing will also be hosting “Green Saturday,” its own version of Black Friday. Select shops will have discounts and deal to support local business.

7:30 p.m. The Lansing Concert Band hosts Holiday Festival 2013 for their annual holiday concert. It will be conducted by Dr. Gary T. Sullivan, with special guest appearances from Good Company, a seven-member vocal ensemble. There will also be solos performed by Kelly Sandula-Gruner and Travis Ricks. The show will feature a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Many holiday favorites will be performed such as “Sleigh Ride” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with everyone invited to sing along. The show will take place at Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 378 State St., Charlotte. Tickets are $12, $5 for students and free for kids under 12. For more information call (517) 451-5690.

8 p.m. “A Not So Silent Night” is REACH Studio Art Center’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds will benefit REACH’s free and low-fee art program for Lansing area’s children and adults. This year’s silent auction offers over 100 items including gifts, artwork, gift certificates for local businesses and edible treats. The Bard Owls will provide musical entertainment throughout the night. The fundraiser will be held at Washington Avenue Armory, 2500 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Students and kids under 12 are free. More information can be found at reachstudioart.org or (517) 999-3643.