The holiday season brings many special events. From family gatherings to school concerts and church programs, there many events in which people may choose to participate. Listed are several concerts, festivals and other events set for the coming weeks.
Sunday
* The annual "Christmas at the Log Church" informal services will be at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Carols around the Christmas tree, hot cider and coffee, gift exchange for children, and more. The church, located at the intersection of County Road 40 and 99th St. N.W. near Norway Lake, is not heated. Dress warmly and bring a blanket for added comfort.
* "Christmas at Sperry House" is open from 2 to 5 p.m. in the partially restored 1893 home. Tour guides wearing turn-of-the-century style blouses will explain the home decorated in traditional style and cider and cookies will be served. The Sperry House, part of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, is located just west of the museum on Highway 71 in Willmar. It is open by appointment during the week. Admission is free.
* A "Messiah" sing-along will be held at 7 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. All singers are welcome, practice is at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own score if you have one, limited number of scores available for use. Admission is $2; organized by the Prairie Lakes Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nov. 27-Dec. 2
* The "Festive Forest" at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society Museum, 610 Highway 71 N.E., in Willmar, shows holiday trees created by local clubs and organizations. It will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Nov. 30-Dec. 3
* "A Christmas Carol" at The Barn Theatre, 7 p.m. Adults $15, students $7. Tickets on sale at the theater and online at www.thebarntheatre.com .
Dec. 1
n Community tree lighting ceremonies will be at 5 p.m. at each of the Rice Hospice locations. The "Share the Memory" trees will be lit in memory or in honor of loved ones. Locations for the trees are Selvig Park, near Rice Hospital in Willmar; in front of the Health and Wellness Clinic in Paynesville, at Apple Ridge Apartments in Appleton and on the hospital grounds in Benson, Dawson, Granite Falls, Montevideo and Ortonville.
* "Song of Emmanuel," a special Christmas cantata by Lloyd Larson, will be presented at 7 p.m. at St. Aloysius Church in Olivia by a chorus of 40 singers from the area. A free will donation will go to Santa's Closet and the Renville County Food Shelf.
Dec. 2
ADVERTISEMENT
* The Advent Festival "Repeat the Sounding Joy," a look at Christmas through its music for all ages, will be from 1 to 9 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Free admission.
* The Stroia Ballet Company production of "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. at Minnewaska Area High School, between Glenwood and Starbuck. General admission seating is adults $15, seniors and students $13, ages 12 and under $9. Reserved seating is an additional $5 per ticket. Call 239-1340.
Dec. 3
* The Advent Festival "Repeat the Sounding Joy," a look at Christmas through its music for all ages, will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Free admission.
* The Stroia Ballet Company production of "The Nutcracker" at 2 p.m. at Minnewaska Area High School. General admission seating is adults $15, seniors and students $13, ages 12 and under $9. Reserved seating is an additional $5 per ticket. Call 239-1340.
* Christmas at Trinity will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City. Crafts, cookie walk, bake sale, morning brunch, coffee and Christmas goodies.
* "Santa Day" in downtown Willmar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa will be in the Centre Point Mall and photos will be taken of your child with Santa. There will be apples for the children.
* A holiday bazaar from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bird Island. Christmas goodies and crafts for sale and noon lunch will be available.
ADVERTISEMENT
* The 10th annual Pioneer Christmas will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Forest City Stockade. Admission is $2, ages 12 and under are free. Help decorate the Christmas tree, have a sleigh ride with Santa, make old-fashioned ornaments, see a lodge in wintertime and sample pioneer Christmas treats. Dress warmly as many of the activities will be outdoors.
* "Christmas at the Museum" will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Swift County Historical Society museum in Benson. A Christmas program will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Zetetic study club will have a craft and bake sale and there will be holiday goodies. All proceeds go to Swift County Historical Society.
Dec. 4
* The Advent Festival "Repeat the Sounding Joy," a look at Christmas through its music for all ages, will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Free admission.
* "A Christmas Carol" at the Barn Theatre. 2:30 p.m. Adults $15, students $7. Tickets on sale at the theater and online at www.thebarntheatre.com .
* "Christmas at Sperry House" will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. in the partially restored 1893 home. Tour guides wearing turn-of-the-century style blouses will explain the home decorated in traditional style and cider and cookies will be served. The Sperry House, part of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, is located just west of the museum on Highway 71 in Willmar. It is open by appointment during the week. Admission is free.
* The third annual "Juletrefest," a day of Norwegian Christmas heritage, will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer. A Norwegian worship service will be at 4 p.m. in the Stave Chapel and a Norwegian dinner with Lutefisk and meatballs will be served from 4 to 7p.m. in the Chrysalis House. Adults $12, ages 5-12 $6.
Dec. 4-9
ADVERTISEMENT
* The "Festive Forest" at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society Museum, 610 Highway 71 N.E., in Willmar, shows holiday trees created by local clubs and organizations. It will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Dec. 5
* The Willmar Senior High choirs will present identical concerts at 6 and 8 p.m. at the high school. Adults $6, students $3, passes and punch cards may be used.
Dec. 5-6
* "A Tuna Christmas" at the Little Theatre in New London, 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, under 12 $5; tickets on sale at Jahnke's in Spicer, LuLu Beans in Willmar and The Big Store in New London or by calling 354-2559 and leaving a message and phone number. Your order will be confirmed.
Dec. 7-10
* "A Christmas Carol" at the Barn Theatre. 7 p.m. Adults $15, students $7. Tickets on sale at the theatre and online at www.thebarntheatre.com .
Dec. 8-10
ADVERTISEMENT
* The Ridgewater College theater department and the Willmar Area Symphony Orchestra present "Amahl and the Night Visitors" at 7:30 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Willmar. Guest performances by choirs each evening. Tickets are adults $6, ages 12 and under $3; family maximum of $18. For reservations call 231-5132.
* "A Tuna Christmas" at the Little Theatre in New London, 7:30 p.m. Adults $10, under 12 $5; tickets on sale at Jahnke's in Spicer, LuLu Beans in Willmar and The Big Store in New London or by calling 354-2559 and leaving a message and phone number. Your order will be confirmed.
Dec. 9-10
* The Springfield Nativity Pageant will be at 7 p.m. at Riverside Park in Springfield. The live pageant is presented outdoors and features a community choir and a live manger scene including camels. Dress for the weather. Free.
Dec. 9-11
* "The Best Gift of All," 41st annual night of music, will be presented at the Assembly of God Church in Willmar at 7 p.m. Free tickets at the church. Free-will offering.
Dec. 10
* The Lucia Day Festival will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 411 Becker Ave. S.W., in Willmar. Swedish ceremony at 8 a.m.; coffee and music until 11 a.m. Free will offering.
ADVERTISEMENT
* Saint Lucia breakfast from 6 to 9:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Adults $5, ages 12 and under $3.
* The Kandiyohi County Historical Museum and Sperry House present "Krismas Kaffe on the Kandi Express" from 3 to 5 p.m. at the museum. Coffee and an assortment of Scandinavian treats will be served in the museum amidst the "Festive Forest" and there will be guided tours of the Sperry House; $20 per person. Proceeds benefit the museum.
* Santa Lucia Festival of Lights will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Candlelight Swedish soup supper, bake sale, cookie factory, crafts. Free will donation.
* The West Central Singers present "Welcome Christmas" concert at 7 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. Instrumentalists will play the violin, flute, harp and trumpet. Tickets are adults $5 and students $3; available at the door.
Dec. 11
* "A Christmas Carol" at the Barn Theatre. 2:30 p.m. Adults $15, students $7. Tickets on sale at the theater and online at www.thebarntheatre.com .
* "Christmas at Sperry House" will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. in the partially restored 1893 home. Tour guides wearing turn-of-the-century style blouses will explain the home decorated in traditional style and cider and cookies will be served. The Sperry House, part of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, is located just west of the museum on Highway 71 in Willmar. It is open by appointment during the week. Admission is free.
* Historical Christmas home tour by the Renville County Historical Society and Museum. Three homes in Fairfax and two in Franklin will be open between 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets available at the museum and B. Original Gift Shop in Morton and at the Fairfax Public Library, Fairfax Grocery Store and Franklin city office and senior center; $6 per person.
* The West Central Connection Chorus will present a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Willmar. Free will donation.
Dec. 12
* The Willmar Junior and Senior High orchestras will present a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at the senior high school. Adults $6, students $3, passes and punch cards may be used.
Dec. 11-16
* The "Festive Forest" at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society Museum, 610 Highway 71 N.E., in Willmar, shows holiday trees created by local clubs and organizations. It will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Dec. 15
* The Willmar Junior High eighth grade choirs will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. at WEAC.
Dec. 16
* Willmar Senior Dining will have a Christmas Party beginning at 9:30 a.m. Norman Johnson will provide music for dancing and Santa will visit. Make reservations by calling 235-9811 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Dec. 16-18
* "The Best Gift of All," 41st annual night of music, will be presented at the Assembly of God Church in Willmar at 7 p.m. Free tickets at the church. Free-will offering. There will also be a 3 p.m. matinee performance on Dec. 17.
Dec. 17
* A Christmas story hour for children ages 3 through 10 will be at 10 a.m. at the Willmar Public Library. The story hour will feature Christmas stories and music. No registration is necessary.
Dec. 17-18
* The Tonic Sol-fa holiday tour singing an a cappella showcase of favorite carols and more at WEAC in Willmar. Tickets for the 7 p.m. Friday concert are sold out. Tickets for the 2 p.m. Saturday concert are available at Northern Grounds and North American State Bank in Willmar; $18 all ages.
Dec. 18
* Christmas open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Andrew J. Volstead Home Museum in Granite Falls. Free will donation.
* "Christmas at Sperry House" will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. in the partially restored 1893 home. Tour guides wearing turn-of-the-century style blouses will explain the home decorated in traditional style and cider and cookies will be served. The Sperry House, part of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society, is located just west of the museum on Highway 71 in Willmar. It is open by appointment during the week. Admission is free.
* Litchfield Area Male Chorus presents a winter concert at 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church. Free will offering and an item for the Meeker County Food Shelf.
* A Service of Lessons and Carols will be at 6:30 p.m. by the choirs at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Free will offering.
Dec. 18-23
* The "Festive Forest" at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society Museum, 610 Highway 71 N.E., in Willmar, shows holiday trees created by local clubs and organizations. It will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Dec. 19
* A Christmas caroling tour begins at 6:30 p.m. from the Bank of the West parking lot in Paynesville. Groups will travel by horse drawn sleighs or hayride wagons throughout Paynesville, stopping at senior citizen housing areas, the hospital, nursing homes and Koronis Lake residential areas. From 8 to 9 p.m. all the caroling groups will gather in the Paynesville Area Center for combined caroling and apple cider and cookies.
* The Willmar Senior High band will present a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at the high school. Adults $6, students $3, passes and punch cards may be used.
Dec. 23
* The annual Lillejulaften (Little Christmas Eve) Norwegian language worship service will be at 7 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 302 Olena Ave., in Willmar. The service includes traditional Norwegian liturgy, hymns, and carols. The service folder will be in Norwegian with a full English translation. Those with Norwegian sweaters and/or bunader are asked to wear them.
Dec. 26-30
* The "Festive Forest" at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society Museum, 610 Highway 71 N.E., in Willmar, shows holiday trees created by local clubs and organizations. It will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.
Dec. 31
* Willmar Senior Dining will have a New Year's Eve Party beginning at 9:30 a.m. Make reservations by calling 235-9811 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*A New Year's Eve Family Celebration will be from 4:30 to 9 p.m. at the Willmar Senior High School and Civic Center in Willmar. Admission is $2 per person with a $10 family maximum. There will be activities for small children through adults. Fireworks will end the evening at 9:30 p.m. Donations for the food shelf will be collected.
* A dance for Willmar Junior High School students will be from 8 to 11 p.m. at the YMCA. Music, swimming, games and more; $3 per student or $2 with a food shelf donation.
* The eighth annual New Year's Eve Gospel concert will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 11th St. and Kandiyohi Ave. S.W., in Willmar. It features two groups, "Higher Power Quartet" and "The Marshalls." Music starts at 8 p.m., refreshment break at 10 p.m. and music until midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door, if any are left. Tickets are available at Good News Book Store, North American State Bank, Central Tire and Auto and St. Mary's Church in Willmar. Non-denominational, everyone welcome.
This list will be printed weekly through the holidays. For additions to the list send them to Donna Middleton, West Central Tribune, P.O. Box 839, Willmar, MN 56201 or e-mail them to donnam@wctrib.com with holiday event in the subject line. No phone calls.
