What's Happening: 'Christmas Carol,' 'Ultimate Christmas Show,' Christmas in the Quarry
DEC. 22 THROUGH DEC. 23
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: From “Bah, humbug!” to dashing through the snow and sleigh rides in Florida, this annual presentation stays true to the weighty themes of the original novel while delivering a gripping story, cheerful holiday music and genuine laughs for the whole family. “A Christmas Carol” is one of Gainesville’s favorite holiday traditions. See the production at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays or 7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23, plus 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $20 to $50. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org.
DEC. 22 THROUGH DEC. 23
“THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW”: The audience favorite is back! “The Ultimate Christmas Show” (abridged) bursts with festive, slapstick fun as these cheerful comedians celebrate all of our favorite holiday traditions — at the same time. Catch a show at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23 at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets run $20 to $50. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org.
DEC. 22 THROUGH DEC. 23
CHRISTMAS IN THE QUARRY: Take a walk through a light show designed to dazzle. Families can stroll amongst billions of lights among the 20-acre botanical garden while enjoying treats from a cookie and cocoa station, and join in some of the family holiday crafts for kids to take home. Santa also will visit. The event is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9, Dec. 16-17, Dec. 20 and Dec. 22-23 at Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave. in Williston. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-13, free for ages 5 and younger, and free for quarry members. For more information, visit cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com/upcoming-events.
DEC. 22 THROUGH DEC. 24
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Take part in the annual family holiday event Festival of Lights, featuring complimentary popcorn, hot cocoa, marshmallows by the bonfire, Santa, food and craft vendors, kids' crafts and more, from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 24 at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive in White Springs. Tickets are $4; free ages 2 and younger. For more information, visit stephenfostercso.org/event-4573763.
DEC. 22 THROUGH DEC. 26
KIRBY FAMILY FARM'S CHRISTMAS TRAIN: Kirby Family Farm will open its gates for its annual Christmas Express, which will run 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and Dec. 26. The Christmas train is a holiday event with lots of activities to see and do. Organizers recommend at least two hours for the entire experience, which features performances, vendors, a petting zoo, rides and a visit with Santa Claus. The highlight of the evening is a featured train ride through thousands of Christmas lights pulled by one of the farm’s old-fashioned locomotives. Tickets are $17.99 general admission in advance, $20 general admission at gate, $10.99 ages 3-9 in advance, $15 ages 3-9 at gate, free ages 2 and younger. Tickets can be purchased in advance at kirbyfarm.com/the-christmas-express. Kirby Family Farm is located at 19630 NE 30th St. in Williston. For more information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit kirbyfarm.com/the-christmas-express.
DEC. 22 THROUGH DEC. 30
2023 HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL: Melrose Bay Art Gallery will hold its 2023 Holiday Invitational through Dec. 30. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays or by appointment. It is located at 103 State Road 26 in Melrose. For more information, call 475-3866 or visit melrosebayartgallery.com.
DEC. 22 THROUGH APRIL 21, 2024
“ANTARCTIC DINOSAURS”: Step back in time and discover life beneath the ice in “Antarctic Dinosaurs.” Today, Antarctica is a forbidding land of snow and ice, but 200 million years ago it was a lush, wooded habitat where dinosaurs thrived. Uncover the history of the world’s southernmost continent and the unique species that have called it home in this interactive, family friendly experience at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Rare fossils, touchable casts and interactive models bring the past to life while showcasing Antarctica’s distinctive dinosaur species. Examine a reconstructed forest, and encounter the early plants and animals that flourished in the once-green environment. Experience the extraordinary work that goes into digging for fossils with real equipment and a recreated quarry. Learn about the important research taking place in this frigid landscape and how it informs future changes to the world’s climate. This is a bilingual exhibit available in English and Spanish. Tickets are $10 for adults; $9 for Florida residents, seniors and non-UF college students; $7 for ages 3-17; and free for ages 2 and younger, UF students and museum members. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is located at 3215 Hull Road. For more information, visit floridamuseum.ufl.edu or call 846-2000.
DEC. 23
WINTER FESTIVAL: Celebrate all things winter with farm animals and farm activities through Dec. 23 during Mayhem Ranch’s Winter Festival. Set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, the annual holiday event features appearances from Santa, a live reindeer exhibit, fire pits, a farm train, slides an African animal experience, animal shows, a petting zoo, a live Nativity scene, pig races, a mini cow town and more. Some activities cost more, including Santa’s Workshops, ornament making, cookie decorating, S’mores kits, pony rides, professional photos with Santa and more. The farm also offers concessions, gem mining and a walk-through parakeet encounter. Pre-sale tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased on the farm’s website. Mayhem Ranch is located at 17830 SE 40th St. in Morriston. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit mayhemranchfl.com/event/annual-mayhem-ranch-winter-festival.
DEC. 27
AN HISTORY OF KWANZAA: The A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center will host a Kwanzaa celebration with music, dance and a food tasting beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 27. The cultural center is located at 1013 NW Seventh Ave. For more information, visit bit.ly/49g1iPt.
DEC. 30
NEW YEAR’S EVE EVE: Ring in the new year — one day early — with Tioga Town Center’s New Year’s Eve Eve celebration. Running from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 30, the event will feature a live performance from Elio Piedra under the stars. Piedra is a musician, drummer, entertainer, singer, arranger, composer and voting member at LARAS & NARAS Academy. He was born in Cuba and began his musical career at the age of 10 at the Arts Conservatory Raul Sanchez. At 15, he gained entry into the National Conservatory of Music Carlos Hidalgo, where he continued to hone his craft, even touring Cuba with the symphony orchestra. Piedra immigrated to the United States at the age of 20 and began playing with many notable musicians in Miami. He eventually relocated to Gainesville, where he lives with his wife. Highly in demand, Piedro splits his time between live shows, drum instruction and touring with his group, Elio’s Quartet. Visit the Town Center restaurants for dinner before the show, or to grab take-out to enjoy during the concert. Tioga Town Center is located at 13085 SW First Lane in Newberry. For more information about the free event, visit bit.ly/nyee23.
DEC. 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY: Celebrate the coming of 2024 beginning at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at Amvets Post 444, 13751 NE 52nd Place in Williston. The free event will feature live music by Hiredguns. For more information, visit bit.ly/avny23.