Look on the list for lots of productions of these three seasonal favorites:

The Nutcracker

Handel's Messiah

Favorite Movies

KindleFest & a Christkindlmarket

6-10 p.m., A2 Farmers' Market, Fourth Avenue between Catherine & Kingsley

Christkindlmarket is an annual free outdoor holiday market. For sale: hand-crafted ornaments, toys, gifts, German foods, sweets and beverages. Live music. S’more Roasting. New this year: A heated tent!   Read more.

Children’s Lantern Parade

Times below, A2 Farmers' Market, Fourth Avenue between Catherine & Kingsley

Families are invited to join the Children’s Lantern Parade. Kids carry colorful lanterns while singing Christmas carols. All ages welcome!

• Lantern sales start at 5:45 p.m. They're $10—or bring your own.
• Gather near the big tent at 6:30 p.m. for the parade.
• Parade starts at 7 p.m. and travels through Kerrytown and the Farmers' Market.

More info: Event website, Facebook page, Email, 734-662-5008

Santa Visits

Santa will visit Kerrytown Market & Shops, Fourth Avenue between Catherine & Kingsley, at the times and dates below:

Other Santa Sightings

A Manor Christmas: A 3-day inaugural event!

3-9 p.m. Dec. 1
Noon-9 p.m. Dec. 2    Concordia University, 4090 Geddes Rd., Ann Arbor
Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 3

Events during "A Manor Christmas" include:

• Tours of the historic Earhart Manor decorated for Christmas by professional designers
• An outdoor European-style Christkindlmarkt, featuring artisans, greens, seasonal foods, and merriment
• A unique Festival of Trees—a collection of tabletop Christmas trees, arrangements and wreaths, individually decorated by local business and community groups, and available for purchase
• Entertainment Tent with well-known local performers and roving carolers, choirs, and instrumentalists
• Children’s activities and sing-along set up in a heated space

Midnight Madness in Downtown Ann Arbor

Two hotels and 35 downtown stores are open late for mad shopping and crazy discounts. See the list. From the website: "Holiday Sales! Santa Claus and Miss Washtenaw County will be roaming the sidewalks in the Main Street area, along with various outdoor entertainers and performances, from 7-9 p.m. See the full list of performers HERE."

• Stores stay open until midnight
• Great food and drink specials
• Amazing discounts
• Carolers and fun holiday festivities

Chelsea Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting & Santa Arrival

6-8:30 p.m., Downtown Chelsea, Main Street and Middle Street

See the full Hometown Holidays Schedule.

Downtown Ypsilanti Tree Lighting

6-7 p.m. Plaza of the Ypsilanti District Library, Downtown, 229 W. Michigan Ave.

Join Ypsilantians for a fun tree lighting event. There will be caroling led by the Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa. 

Manchester Christmas Parade

6:30 p.m., Downtown Manchester, Main Street

The Manchester Christmas Parade, which features lighted floats, is part of the Christmas in the Village Celebration on Dec. 1 and 2. 

Midnight Madness in the Kerrytown District

6-11:59 p.m., Fourth Avenue between Catherine & Kingsley

Start the Madness in Kerrytown for a fun-filled evening of shopping and dining. 

Santa Visits Kerrytown Market & Shops

10 a.m. Dec. 2 through 3 p.m. Dec. 17 

Saturdays & Sundays from Dec. 3-18! Visit Santa, enjoy festive music throughout the day inside the shops. Susan K. of "Humans of Ann Arbor" will be snapping photos on SATURDAYS.

A Manor Christmas: A 3-day inaugural event!

Noon-9 p.m. Dec. 2
Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 3

See full event under Dec. 1.
Today: Concordia University, 4090 Geddes Rd., Ann Arbor: Tree-Lighting Ceremony is at 5 p.m., followed by a Children's Lantern Parade.

Saline's 42nd Annual Christmas Parade

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Downtown Saline, Michigan Avenue & North Ann Arbor Street

Saline's 42nd Annual Christmas Parade's theme is "Santa's Workshop." The parade includes performances at the grandstand so the parade may stop and start nearby. See this event's Facebook page. 

13th Annual Chelsea Lights Parade

6-9 p.m., Downtown Chelsea – Main Street and Middle Street

Chelsea Hometown Holidays' 13th Annual Chelsea Lights Parade along Main Street. includes lights, floats bands, and, of course, Santa. Parade starts at Chelsea State Bank and travels north on Main Street to Jackson. It does not cross the train tracks. Join Lights Out After the Parade at the Clocktower Commons for music, s'mores, fire pits, hot chocolate and a photo booth.

Milan Christmas Parade

6 p.m., Downtown Milan – Main St Milan

Parade will start on West Main near Mold Pro and head east to Wabash Street and ends at Wilson Park. There will be floats, walkers, horses, bands, and more. The parade concludes with the lighting of the Milan Christmas Tree and a visit from Santa.  

Superior Township Christmas Tree Lighting

6-8 p.m., Old Township Hall, 3040 Prospect, Ypsilanti

Superior Township's Tree Lighting with Santa. Photos with Santa, Christmas carols, cookies and hot chocolate.

Manchester Christmas Tree Lighting

7-8:30 p.m. • Wurster Park, 215 W. Main St., Manchester

Handel's Messiah

6 p.m. Pre-show Talk
8 p.m. Dec. 2
2 p.m. Dec. 3 

Hill Auditorium: 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor • Buy Tickets Online

Pre-show Talk: Musical text painting in Handel’s Messiah:  6 p.m. Dec. 2. Henderson Room, Michigan League, U-M campus

"Handel’s Messiah still invokes joy, and UMS’s 139th year of presenting the oratorio fills audiences with emotion for both the beauty of the piece and the pride of hearing friends and colleagues from the community bring this glorious work to life. Music director Scott Hanoian conducts the UMS Choral Union and the Ann Arbor Symphony in this annual community tradition."

A Manor Christmas: A 3-day inaugural event!

Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 3. See main listing under Dec. 1. 

Handel's Messiah

2 p.m. Dec. 3 • See main listing under Dec. 2

Hill Auditorium: 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor • Buy Tickets Online

NJFK: Disney’s Frozen Sing-Along

3 p.m., $16 • Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 734-668-8463

Featuring on-screen lyrics, goodie bags, special guests, and more! Anna, Elsa and their snowman friend hit the big screen. Head out and sing some of your favorite songs from the Disney flick. 

Miracle on 34th Street

6 p.m., Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 734-668-8463

Part of the Holiday Classics film series – FREE ADMISSION!

Ebird & Friends Holiday Show at the Ark

8 p.m. Dec. 7 & 8
3 p.m. & 8 p.m. Dec. 9  • The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor

This annual family variety-style show has tunes by The Ragbirds and a variety of talented Ann Arbor artists. Tickets: $25-$50;  $15/kids on Saturday

Wild Swan Theater’s Little Women

10 a.m. Dec. 7
10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8
2 p.m. Dec. 9 and Dec. 10
Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. 

"The themes of generosity and self-sacrifice appear through out Little Women. Early in the play, the March sisters give up their Christmas breakfast for their neighbors. 

We are proud to be partnering with Food Gatherers during our production. We will be accepting donations of non-perishable canned and dry goods immediately before and after each performance."

Purchase tickets online or by calling the office: 734-995-0530. 

Winter Art Tour: Day 1 of 3

10 a.m.–9 p.m.  today  / Continues Saturday and Sunday

This 3-day event takes you to 2 cities, 10 art shows and displays the works of 300+ artists. 

Pick up a passport at any of the stops (or print it from this link) on the first day. Then get four or more venues stamped, and turn it in for a chance to win a piece of local artist's work. 

Trillium Real Estate is one of the sponsors—and we're very proud of that.

Right-click on the schedule at right and save it to your computer—it will be larger and easier to read. Or just see it on the Winter Art Tour website.

Wild Swan Theater’s Little Women

10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8
2 p.m. Dec. 9 and Dec. 10
Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. 

See the full listing under Dec. 7. Purchase tickets online or by calling the office: 734-995-0530. 

Ebird & Friends Holiday Show at the Ark

8 p.m. Dec. 8
3 p.m. & 8 p.m. Dec. 9  • The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor

This annual family variety-style show has tunes by The Ragbirds and a variety of talented Ann Arbor artists. Tickets: $25-$50;  $15/kids on Saturday.

Winter Art Tour: Day 2 of 3

10 a.m.–7 p.m.  today  / Continues Sunday

This 3-day event takes you to 2 cities, 10 art shows and displays the works of 300+ artists. 

Pick up a passport at any of the stops (or print it from this link). Then get four or more venues stamped, and turn it in for a chance to win a piece of local artist's work. 

Trillium Real Estate is one of the sponsors—and we're very proud of that.

Right-click on the schedule at right and save it to your computer—it will be larger and easier to read. Or just see it on the Winter Art Tour website.

Ebird & Friends Holiday Show at the Ark

3 p.m. & 8 p.m. •  The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor

This annual family variety-style show has tunes by The Ragbirds and a variety of talented Ann Arbor artists. Tickets: $25-$50;  $15/kids TODAY.

Wild Swan Theater’s Little Women

2 p.m. Dec. 9 and Dec. 10
Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. 

See the full listing under Dec. 7. Purchase tickets online or by calling the office: 734-995-0530. 

The Nutcracker 2017

6:30 p.m. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
Presented by Academy of Russian Classical Ballet

"The Nutracker is a must-see holiday event for the entire family! Join Clara on her magical journey through the enchanting Land of Snow to the Kingdom of the Sweets. With an impressive cast of Michigan and Ohio’s talented ballet students, joined by international professional ballet dancers as guest artists, The Nutcracker is a wonderful holiday tradition to be enjoyed by all ages."
Tickets: $25-$45 • 734-668-8463

Other productions of "The Nutcracker" in SE Michigan

The Nutcracker by Ballet Chelsea

7 p.m. Dec. 9
2 p.m. Dec.10
Chelsea High School Performing Arts Complex, 740 N. Freer Rd.

Ballet Chelsea performs the classic holiday ballet full of sugarplums, brave soldiers and a handsome prince. Tickets are $10-$25. 734-475-3070. More info.

Ann Arbor Community Messiah Sing

Dec. 9 & 10 • 2 p.m. Starts promptly! 
St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church, Packard, Ann Arbor

 See more about this event on its Facebook page. 

DIYpsi!

11 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 9 
Noon–6 p.m. Dec. 10
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti

"Extraordinary gift giving is so easy when you shop at our favorite local holiday market DIYpsi!" More than 80 independent artists, food, drink and much more. 

Ann Arbor Community Messiah Sing

Dec. 9 & 10 • 2 p.m. Starts promptly! 
St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church, Packard, Ann Arbor
Facebook page

Winter Art Tour: Day 3 of 3

11 a.m.–7 p.m.  today

This 3-day event takes you to 2 cities, 10 art shows and displays the works of 300+ artists. 

Pick up a passport at any of the stops (or print it from this link). Then get four or more venues stamped, and turn it in for a chance to win a piece of local artist's work. 

Trillium Real Estate is one of the sponsors—and we're very proud of that.

Right-click on the schedule at  right and save it to your computer—it will be larger and easier to read. Or just see it on the Winter Art Tour website.

DIYpsi!

Noon–6 p.m. Dec. 10
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti

"Extraordinary gift giving is so easy when you shop at our favorite local holiday market DIYpsi!" More than 80 independent artists, food, drink and much more. 

Home Alone

1:30 p.m. Dec. 10 • Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 734-668-8463. Part of the Holiday Classics Film Series FREE ADMISSION!

The Nutcracker by Ballet Chelsea

2 p.m. Dec.10 (also see Dec. 9)
Chelsea High School Performing Arts Complex, 740 N. Freer Rd.

Tickets: $10-$25. 734-475-3070. More info.

Ann Arbor Community Messiah Sing

2 p.m. Dec. 10 •  Starts promptly! 
St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church, Packard, Ann Arbor

See more about this event on its Facebook page

5th Annual: One Candle for Tzedakah

6-8 p.m. Dec. 14 • Jewish Community Center for Greater Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. , Ann Arbor

Star Wars Themed Hanukkah Party! Costumes welcome!

"...our tradition of saving one night for giving instead of receiving. Join us for One Candle for Tzedakah, when our community gathers to celebrate the holiday by giving to families in need. We will share a meal and other activities, but the main focus of the evening will be preparing gifts for families who would not otherwise have the means to enjoy the holiday season  This year, the JCC is working with Jewish Family Services to provide gifts to the children of refugee families receiving resettlement support from JFS."

Program Details:
Jessica Gillespie, Family Programs Coordinator, at (734) 971-0990 or [email protected].

Registration Assistance:
Deborah Ryan, Membership Manager, at (734) 971-0990 or [email protected].

Holiday Pops

8 p.m. Dec. 15 • Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor

The Holiday Pops Concert features the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra playing a variety of holiday tunes. This year’s concert will also feature music from the movie Home Alone. Special guests will also provide choral accompaniment on certain songs.

Special Guests

• Ann Arbor Youth Chorale
• Boychoir of Ann Arbor
• Dexter H.S. Chorus
• Huron H.S. Chorus
• Measure for Measure
• Pioneer H.S. Chorus

"Start your weekend with a festive mix of orchestra and voice, classical and pops at this annual A2SO tradition. It is the perfect way to welcome in this holiday season. Bring your family and friends for an evening of good music-making with some of our area’s most beloved choruses, including the men of Measure for Measure, Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, Boychoir of Ann Arbor, Dexter, Huron and Pioneer High School Choruses. It will be ear-to-ear grinning merriment concluding a surround of singers harmonizing Let There be Peace on Earth."

The Nutcracker

7 p.m. Dec. 15
1 p.m. & 7 p.m. Dec. 16
1 p.m. Dec. 17

Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre. Performing at Ann Arbor's Power Center since 1994: "Beautiful dancing ... gorgeous sets ... exquisite costumes" —Arts at Michigan
Order tickets online or call 734-763-TKTS.

It’s a Wonderful Life

1:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, 734-668-8463
Part of the Holiday Classics Film Series – FREE ADMISSION!

The Nutcracker

1 p.m. & 7 p.m. Dec. 16
1 p.m. Dec. 17

Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre. Performing at Ann Arbor's Power Center since 1994: "Beautiful dancing ... gorgeous sets ... exquisite costumes" —Arts at Michigan
Order tickets online or call 734-763-TKTS.

The Nutcracker

1 p.m. Dec. 17

Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre. Performing at Ann Arbor's Power Center since 1994: "Beautiful dancing ... gorgeous sets ... exquisite costumes" —Arts at Michigan
Order tickets online or call 734-763-TKTS.

Lightbulb Day

Lightbulb Day is celebrated on the Winter Solstice, on or about Dec. 21.

Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak)

Weekends, Nov. 18 – Dec. 31

A million-plus LED lights cover trees, buildings and animal sculptures. Live entertainment, arts, crafts, ice carving and holiday train displays, too. $10 in advance, $13 at the gate, children 2 and under free. $6 for parking.

Nite Lites and Winter Wonderland

5:30-9 p.m. Nov. 26 to Dec. 30

Michigan’s Largest Christmas Light Display (drive through)
Jackson County Fairgrounds.
$15 per vehicle / $30 per bus. 

Noel Night

Dec. 2, Detroit 

The annual Noel Night takes place at 75 Midtown Detroit venues, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, and more, each opening their doors to the public FREE of charge. Additional activities include carriage rides, shopping, crafts and performances by more than 120 area groups. FREE.

 ELF The Musical at The Fox Theatre

Dec. 20-24 — Detroit

See everyone’s favorite elf named Buddy brought to the stage. Tickets start at $35. Read this post for a discount too!

You'd be wise to buy your tickets now for. . .

Ann Arbor Folk Festival: Jan. 26 & 27

Two concerts of roots and acoustic music to benefit The Ark. Features well-known acts along with musicians on the rise. [email protected], theark.org

Hill Auditorium, 825 North University [map]
(734) 761-1800

Wine, Women, and Song: Jan. 26-28

Local, notable singer-actresses perform songs from musical theater to light opera, including some original numbers. Wine included in admission.  [email protected], kerrytownconcerthouse.com

Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave. [map]
(734) 769-2999

The Ark's Storytelling Festival: Feb. 24 & 25

International, national, and regional storytellers. Sat. 7:30 p.m. (aimed at adults) and Sun. 1 p.m. (aimed at kids). [email protected], theark.org

316 S. Main [map]
(734) 761-1800

Credits: Blue Nutcracker Photo by Larry1732 on VisualHunt /  CC BY  • Dancing Feet Photo by davidyuweb on Visualhunt.com /  CC BY-NC-ND. Santa and Kids Photo by Bailiwick Studios on Visual Hunt /  CC BY-SA