SOUTHERN UTAH – It’s December, Southern Utah is looking festive, and it’s time to start looking forward to the Christmas holiday season. When there are so many fun things to do during the holidays that can’t be enjoyed during other times of the year, start infusing some holiday spirit into your routine, and get ready for a fun-filled winter season! Have the jolliest holiday and get into the Christmas spirit with our guide to festive events, activities and shows in Southern Utah this Christmas.

WEEK 3 – DEC. 16-22

• Tuacahn’s Christmas in the Canyon with Festival of Lights and Live Nativity – Ivins | Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings through Dec. 23 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Telephone: 435-652-3300 | Tuacahn’s Christmas in the Canyon brings its Festival of Lights and festivities in the Tuacahn Plaza  free to the public. A Live Nativity is also presented each night in the Amphitheatre at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the cost is $2 or $15 per family. Visitors can see the lights and listen to holiday music on the Tuacahn Plaza or sit by an open fire and sip hot chocolate from Tuacahn’s concession stand. Enjoy a holiday train ride on the Ruby’s Inn Old Salty Train for $2. What’s more, near the entrance to the Gift Gallery, parents can bring their children to see Santa Claus from 6:30-9 p.m.

• Santa for Seniors – St. George | Runs through Dec. 18 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Telephone: 435-628-0090 | Be a Santa for the night for a senior in the community. All it takes is a simple gift and time to touch a heart for a lifetime. Before the actual event, adopt a senior Living at Beehive Homes, Dixie Home Health, Gentle Touch, Kolob Rehab, The Meadows, or Red Cliffs Rehab. Each location will then host a party at a designated time and place. Depending on who you adopt, will determine where you go at what time. Those who volunteer to adopt a Senior are committing to spend around an hour of their time and bring a simple gift. Become a Santa by picking up a name packet at one of the following locations: Swig, 25 Main, Orange Peel or the Senior Center. Secret Santa options are available for those who would like to give a gift but have limited time.

• Ramona Huginkiss’s Nutcracker: Miracle on Main Street – Hurricane | Runs through Dec. 28 | 7 p.m. | This self-authored parody, held at the Rattlin’ D Playhouse in Cedar City, follows Ramona Hugginkiss – a spunky, middle-aged woman. Ramona finds herself alone for the Christmas season and is struggling to find her ‘heart for the holidays.’ She suddenly discovers purpose as word spreads that, due to the failed budget negotiations at city hall, the sewer treatment plant will shut down on Christmas Eve unless the needed funds are raised. Ramona gathers her ragtag group of performers and puts on a show to raise the money and save the town. Admission is $13-$25.

• The Reason for the Season Live Nativity – Washington | Dec. 16-18 & 23 | 7 p.m. | Staheli family farm would like to invite you and your family and friends to experience “The reason for the season.” This live nativity is a reminder of what Christmas is truly about. Admission is free but attendees are asked to bring a can of food to donate to local families.

• A Christmas Carol on the Air – St. George & Cedar City | Dec. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Telephone: 435-652-7800 | Based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and presented by SUU theatre departments, this free performance will take place in the Cox Auditorium in St. George and the Randall L. Jones Theatre in Cedar City. (Ed. Note / correction: This performance played at DSU Dec. 13-14; it played at SUU on Dec. 16.)

• In Jubilo – Master Singers Concert – Cedar City | Dec. 16 | 7 p.m. | This holiday choral concert, held at the Heritage Theater in Cedar City, includes a variety of traditional Christmas pieces, including: Sing with Joy, Sing Noel, And the Angels Sang, On this Still, Silent Night, Christmas Day in the Morning, and many others. Tickets are free and are available at Lins, Smith’s and the Heritage Theater box office.

• Pajama Party with Santa – St. George | Dec. 17 | 6 p.m. | Start a new tradition and visit Santa in your pajamas every Tuesday night until Christmas at the Red Cliffs Mall. Bring your child’s favorite stuffed animal, blanket or book and capture a magical and memorable moment, sure to be remembered for years to come. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots and create a memorable moment for a deserving child in the community too. With a $3 donation for Toys for Tots, you can receive a customized email letter from Santa on Christmas Eve. Admission: Free.

• The Forgotten Carols – St. George | Dec. 19-20 | 7:30 p.m. | This special holiday performance of The Forgotten Carols is held at Cox Auditorium. Michael McLean’s touching Christmas tale has become a timeless classic. It tells the story of a nurse whose empty life is changed by her patient, John, who expands her understanding of Christmas. The Forgotten Carols are original songs from the perspective of characters such as the innkeeper who turned the young couple away or the shepherd who slept through the angel’s announcement. Their personal accounts, until now, have been overlooked or ignored. Together, John and Constance discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas. Admission: $13.50-$22.50

• Christmas Treasures at Bumbleberry Theatre – Springdale | Dec. 20-21 | 7-9 p.m. | Telephone: 435-772-3224 | As the holiday season begins, enter the “World of Enchantment” and enjoy the magic of Christmas with cherished memories of the past from Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, and many more expressed beautifully through song and dance. Catch the holiday spirit as you enjoy this wonderful “Christmas Treasures” live performance. Performances will be held every Friday and Saturday through Dec. 21 with a special 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

 

Know something we missed or have a tip for something fun happening this December? Send us the details to be included in our December event list!

 

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