2016 Holiday events guide

THROUGH DEC. 31 >> WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS AT POTTER PARK ZOO Potter Park Zoo gets dressed up for the holidays with thousands of holiday lights. The zoo’s 22nd annual Wonderland of Lights also features animal exhibits, holiday displays, snacks and crafts. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Toys for Tots drive Dec. 3 for free admission. 5-8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. $7/$5 children 3-12/ children under 3 FREE. Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-4222, potterparkzoo.org.

FRIDAY, NOV. 25 >> MASON HOLIDAYS CELEBRATION The Santa Band provides the soundtrack to Mason’s holiday celebration, which includes a lighted parade, tree lighting, extended shopping hours and wintry treats. Santa himself is available for photos at the Mason Museum at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. FREE. Downtown Mason. (517) 676- 1046, masonchamber.org.

NOV. 25-27 >> ‘THE NUTCRACKER’ AT CAPITAL BALLET THEATRE Capital Ballet Theatre, formerly Children’s Ballet Theatre of Michigan, presents Tchaikovsky’s classic tale of gingerbread soldiers, an army of mice, a brave nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $22.96/$18.84 youth. Margaret Livensparger Theater, Holt High School, 5885 W. Holt Road, Holt. (517) 482-2553, cbtdance.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30 >> MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS AT THE WHARTON CENTER The symphonic pop group, founded by Grammy-award winner Chip Davis, puts on a dazzling show of music and light featuring its signature holiday song arrangements. 7:30 p.m. Tickets from $40. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 1 >> HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT MSU HORTICULTURAL GARDENS A sixteen-foot-tall holiday tree made of poinsettia plants towers over plant holiday decorations for sale, including wreaths, centerpieces and more poinsettias. Kids can meet Santa, and refreshments are available. 5-7 p.m. FREE. MSU Horticulture Gardens, 1066 Bogue St., East Lansing. (517) 355-5191, hrt.msu.edu.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2 >> 45TH ANNUAL GRAND LEDGE CHRISTMAS PARADE Before the lighted parade, which goes from the fire station to the Sun Theater, Taylor Taylor performs at the Grandstand. Kids can gather at the theater after the parade for a free screening of “Shrek the Halls,” and grown-ups can shop during extended business hours in downtown shops. 5-7 p.m. Downtown Grand Ledge. (517) 627-2383, grandledgechamber.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2 >> HOLIDAY SING AT TEN POUND FIDDLE Ten Pound Fiddle’s Sally Potter leads a family-friendly sing-along of holiday favorites. A veteran of the local folk music scene, Potter also organizes the Mid-Winter Singer Festival and other community singing events around Greater Lansing. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. $15/$12 members/$5 students/$35 family. MSU Community Music School, 4930 S. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing. (517) 337-7744, tenpoundfiddle.org.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2 >> CANADIAN BRASS HOLIDAY AT WHARTON CENTER Canadian Brass offers a lively evening of seasonal favorites. The brass quintet, founded in 1970, has toured internationally, sprinkling its shows with light-hearted banter and in this case, holiday cheer. 7:15 Insight Preview; 8 p.m. show. Tickets from $13.50. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter.com.

DEC. 2-3 >> ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL’ AT ANDROMEDA COMMUNITY THEATRE Charlotte’s community theater troupe presents a Broadway take on the Charles Dickens classic. Directed by Sarah Shoemaker, this production brings together a cast of over 40 local actors and performers to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits from the ghosts of Christmas. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Advance tickets: $16/$12 students/$14 seniors; all tickets $17 at the door. Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 378 State St., Charlotte. (269) 262-1943, andromedaplayers.org.

DEC. 3-4 >> HOLIDAY TRADI- TIONS TOUR Grand Ledge’s 42nd annual holiday tour offers attendees a chance to tour several of the city’s historical homes, as well as the Grand Ledge Opera House and several local businesses, which will be decorated in festive holiday fashion. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday (Opera House also open 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday). $12/$10 adv./$3 children. Downtown Grand Ledge. (517) 627-2383, grandledgechamber.com/holiday_traditions_tour.php.

DEC. 3-JAN. 1 >> MSU HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW MSU’s 53rd annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show features over 110 artists selling jewelry, furniture, home decor, clothing, paintings and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. FREE. MSU Union, 49 Abbot Road, East Lansing. uabevents.com/retailad/arts-and-crafts-show.

DEC. 3-Jan 1 >> FESTIVAL OF TREES AT TURNER DODGE HOUSE The fifth annual Festival of Trees at Turner Dodge House fills all three floors of the historic estate with festive holiday trees. Hosted by the Friends of Turner Dodge House and Lansing Parks and Recreation, the event features nearly 50 trees decorated by local artists, businesses and community groups. 1-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 5-8 p.m. Friday; noon-8 p.m. Saturday; noon- 6 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday. $5/children under 12 FREE. Turner Dodge House, (517) 483-4220, lansingmi.gov/938/turnerdodge-house.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 >> HOLIDAY HULLABALOO Old Town businesses offer treats, crafts and holiday specials. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. FREE. Old Town, Lansing. (517) 485-4283, iloveoldtown.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 >> SCROOGE SCRAMBLE 5K Enjoy a brisk walk or run along the Lansing River Trail; awards are given to the top three in each age category. Proceeds benefit the Old Town Commercial Association. $25/$20 OTCA members/$30 day of race. Old Town Commercial Association, 1232 Turner St., Lansing. (517) 485-4283, iloveoldtown.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 >> PHIL DENNY & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS COLLECTIVE Lansing-based saxophonist Phil Denny assembles an all-star smooth jazz lineup for an evening of jazzy holiday hits. This year’s guests include vocalist Selina Albright, guitarist David P. Stevens and sax man Danny Kusz, as well as local youth artists Kanin Thelen of DeWitt and Joseph Washington of Holt. Flutist Brandon Marceal opens the show, and an afterglow party at Troppo featuring DJ Radd 1 follows the concert. 7:30 p.m. $25-40. Pattengill Auditorium, 626 Marshall St., Lansing. facebook.com/annualpdcc.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 >> WINTER GLOW East Lansing’s annual holiday festival features fun activities for the whole family, including ice carving, carriage rides, a heated music tent and a live winter barnyard. 2-5 p.m. FREE. Ann Street Plaza, intersection of Albert and M.A.C. avenues, East Lansing. (517) 319-6888, cityofeastlansing. com/winterglow.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 >> HOLIDAY LIGHT PARADE IN WILLIAMSTON Floats and vehicles head downtown to Williamston’s Holiday Tree, which Santa and Mrs. Claus help to light at the end of the parade. Local businesses remain open late for holiday shoppers, some with wintry treats available. 6 p.m. FREE. Downtown Williamston, (517) 655-1549, williamston. org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 4 >> LANSING CONCERT BAND’S HOLIDAY FESTIVAL CONCERT For its 71st annual holiday concert, the Lansing Concert Band teams up with the Steiner Chorale for a diverse program of seasonal classics. 3 p.m. $13/$5.50 students/ children FREE. Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 378 State St., Charlotte. (517) 541- 5690, charlotteperformingartscenter.com.

SUNDAY DEC. 4 >> CREOLE CHRISTMAS WITH ETIENNE CHARLES MSU jazz trumpet Professor Etienne Charles and his band serve up a spicy take on seasonal favorites, featuring tracks from his 2015 album, “Creole Christmas.” 6:30 p.m. $20/$15 adv. The Robin Theatre, 1105 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. therobintheatre.com.

TUESDAY, DEC. 6 >> HOLIDAY GLITTER The Arts Council of Greater Lansing celebrates the holidays with its 37th annual gala, including its 2016 Applause Awards for community members, businesses and nonprofits that support local art. This year’s event also includes a silent auction, where more than 15 works of art from City Pulse’s Summer of Art will be up for auction. Artists receive 30 percent of the winning bid, and the remaining proceeds benefit the Arts Council. The evening also includes a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres and live music by the John Dale Smith Trio. 6-9 p.m. Tickets start at $75/$40 Arts Council members. University Club, 3435 Forest Road, Lansing. (517) 372-4636, lansingarts.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7 >> WINTER WINE & STEIN AT POTTER PARK ZOO Celebrate the holidays with penguins, meerkats and lions at Potter Park Zoo’s after-hours event. Visitors aged 21 and up can sip on local brews, wines and spirits while strolling through the zoo’s Wonderland of Lights colorful light display. 5-8 p.m. $35/$30 members. Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 483- 4222, potterparkzoo.org.

DEC. 9-11 >> HOLIDAY AT LEBOWSKY This year’s installment of Owosso Civic Players’ annual holiday show, “Make the Season Bright!,” offers an evening of holiday-themed song and dance. 7 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $21.50/$19.50 students and seniors/$11.50 children. The Lebowsky Center, 122 E. Main St., Owosso. (989) 723- 4003, owossoplayers.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9 >> CATHIE RYAN PRESENTS ‘THE WINTER’S HEART’ Acclaimed Irish singer Cathie Ryan and her band present celebrate Celtic Christmas traditions with “The Winter’s Heart.” The evening’s program features exuberant jigs and reels, tales of holiday traditions and a nod to Celtic winter solstice rituals. 7:30 p.m. $20/$18 members/$5 students. MSU Community Music School, 4930 S. Hagadorn Road, East Lansing. (517) 337- 7744, tenpoundfiddle.org.

DEC. 10-11 >> TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS LanSINGout gay men’s chorus presents two takes on the holiday season. This year’s concert offers traditional holiday selections, as well as Christmas music from Broadway musical, movies and television. Tickets are available at the door or from LanSINGout members. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $20 suggested donation. First Presbyterian Church of Lansing, 510 W. Ottawa St., Lansing. lansingout.org

SATURDAY, DEC. 10 >> A NOT SO SILENT NIGHT AT REACH STUDIO ART CENTER Over 100 items go up for silent auction at REACH Studio Art Center’s annual holiday benefit. The center offers art classes for kids, teens and adults in Lansing’s REO Town. A preview party before the event offers additional sales and socializing. 6:30- 7:30 p.m. preview party; 7:30-9:30 p.m. main event. $20 advance/$25 at door/$40 with preview party. REACH Studio Art Center 1804 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. (517) 999-3643, reachstudioart.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10 >> HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’ AT WHARTON CENTER MSU’s Choral Union, University Chorale and State Singers join forces to present “Messiah,” Handel’s oratorio on the life of Jesus Christ. The epic work, which includes the famous “Hallelujah Chorus,” has become a staple of the holiday season. 8 p.m. $20/$18 seniors/$10 students. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, whartoncenter.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10 >> REO TOWN HOLIDAY POP-UP MARKET Lansing’s REO Town district offers popup gifts shops and holiday sales, offering vintage clothing, handmade goods, local art and more. And you can fuel your shopping expedition with food and libations from REO Town restaurants and bars. See web for participating locations. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. REO Town, South Washington Avenue between Elm Street and South Street. reo.town.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11 >> LANSING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY POPS The Lansing Symphony Orchestra teams up with the MSU Youth Chorale and guest vocalist Matt Eldred for a program of holiday favorites. 3 p.m. $20-50. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 487-5001, lansingsymphony.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11 >> CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE Meridian Historical Village transports visitors back in time, featuring volunteers in period dress, music in the chapel and a gift shop stocked with hand-crafted goods. The event concludes with a tree lighting. 2-4 p.m. FREE. Meridian Historical Village, 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos. (517) 347- 7300, meridianhistoricalvillage.org.

DEC. 16-17 >> LUVS FOURTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle pulls out all the stops for its annual holiday extravaganza. In addition to the group’s Tin Pan Alley-inspired tunes, the evening features comedy, puppetry and plenty of Yuletide charm. 7 p.m. Friday; 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. $12. The Robin Theatre, 1105 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. therobintheatre.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17 >> A JAZZY LITTLE CHRISTMAS WITH MSU PROFESSORS OF JAZZ MSU’s jazz faculty supergroup presents an evening of swingin’ seasonal hits. 8 p.m. $20/$18 seniors/$10 students. Fairchild Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. (517) 353- 5340, music.msu.edu.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17 >> TEASE A GOGO CHRISTMAS CIRCUS If you think being on Santa’s nice list is overrated, burlesque variety show Tease A Gogo offers a naughty evening of burlesque, drag, sideshows and more. Hosted by Naughty Autie, the show features performers like Vivacious Miss Audacious, Kitty Hawk, Ed Venture and more.10 p.m. $12/$10 adv. The Avenue Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. teaseagogo.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 31 >> NEW YEAR’S EVE CONTRA AND SQUARE DANCE Dance your way into 2017 at Ten Pound Fiddle’s annual New Year’s Eve Contra and Square Dance. The evening features live music, and no partner is required. The event is preceded by a community potluck. 6:30 potluck; 7:30 beginner’s workshop; 8 p.m. dance. $12/$10 members/$6 students and first-timers. Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 337-7744, tenpoundfiddle.org.