By Loretta Fulton
Christmas concerts, theatrical performances, lights by the millions, a party in Storybook Garden, a parade, a Christmas Vespers service, and much more will usher in the Christmas season in Abilene in early December.
The season officially begins  at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, with the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of City Hall. Revolution Strings will begin performing at 5:30 p.m. A Parade of Lights will begin at 6:30 p.m. A live stream also will be available on City of Abilene’s YouTube page. Earlier in the day, Hardin-Simmons University invites the public to a free Christmas Carol Sing in Logsdon Chapel at 9:30 a.m.
Following are some of the events that will be held in early December. To get an event listed, email information to editor@spiritofabilene.com. Also send Christmas Eve services information to the same address.

Winter Lightfest
The annual Winter Lightfest presented by the United Way of Abilene, runs from Saturday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 27. The Lightfest features a three-quarter mile paved walking path through almost 3 million lights. Click here for details, including tickets. 

Parade of Lights
The Parade of Lights will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in downtown Abilene. The annual parade draws close to 20,000 people each year. A live stream also will be available on City of Abilene’s YouTube page. The Christmas tree lighting at City Hall will begin at 6 p.m., with performance by Revolution Strings starting at 5:30.

HSU Carol Sing
The public is invited to the fourth annual Hardin-Simmons University Carol Sing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2. The community sing-a-long will be in Logsdon Chapel on the campus of Hardin-Simmons. Providing the music will be the HSU Concert Choir, Chorale, Worship Ensemble, Brass Quintet, and Handbells.

Grace Museum Candle Making
A Christmas candle-making class will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Grace Museum. “Participants will walk away with multiple fully complete candles ready to decorate their homes or give away as holiday gifts.” Cost is $30, which includes supplies. Click here for tickets

Christmas in Storybook Garden
The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council presents its annual Christmas in the Garden on Friday, Dec 5, in Storybook Garden next to the Abilene Convention Center. Sessions will be held 5-6 p.m. or 6-7 p.m.Theme is “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas!” The evening will be filled with food, arts, crafts, and Mrs. Claus a book on the garden stage. Chorus Abilene’s BackBeat a cappella pop group will perform. Cost is $15 per family and reservations are required. Click here for tickets. 

KACU live radio play at the Paramount
KACU, Abilene’s NPR station, will present a live radio performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Paramount Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 for General Admission. Students/Senior/Military tickets are $10. Children 12 and under will be admitted for free. Click here for tickets. 

‘Best Christmas Pageant’ at ACT
Abilene Community Theater, 809 Barrow St.,  will stage “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 14. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Click here for tickets. 

Cookies With Santa
The community is invited to a free event, Cookies With Santa, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road. Event includes decorating cookies, making reindeer food, creating ornaments, and getting a picture made with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

Celebration Singers celebrate Christmas
Celebration Singers will present a free concert, “All Nature Sings of Christmas,” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. The concert will be held in ACU Boone Family Theater on the campus of Abilene Christian University. Donations will be accepted.

Charles Dickens meets Dr. Seuss
McMurry University Theatre presents “A Seussified Christmas Carol” for family audiences in collaboration with Young Audiences of Abilene at 2 p.m. Saturday,  Dec. 6, in the Mabee Room of the McMurry Campus Center. Directed by Neena McLain. Free admission. “A whimsical reinvention of Dickens’ most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets. With zoot fruited juices and binka bird geese.”

Snowy Day at the NCCIL
A free “Snowy Day” will be held 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St. The morning will feature a free holiday book for the first 100 children, an art activity, shopping in the bookstore, a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a drop-off for notes to Santa at the North Pole.The event is free, but an RSVP is requested. Click here to RSVP.

Christmas Lane
The Abilene State Supported Living Center, 2501 Maple St., will once again host Christmas Lane, a campus light display Dec. 1-26, 6-10 p.m. each day. The indoor displays (including vintage decorations and a train table) and concessions are open 6-9 p.m. week nights and 6-10 p.m. weekends. The indoor display will be open Dec. 1-23. Admission is free. Photos with Santa and concessions will be for sale.

Philharmonic presents ‘Three Tenors Christmas’
The Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra’s Christmas concert, “Three Tenors Christmas,” will feature vocalists Carl Tanner, Arnold Rawls, and Samuel Cook. performance time is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Abilene Convention Center. “Enjoy a festive evening of beloved holiday classics and soaring operatic favorites, all wrapped in the warmth and wonder of the holidays. Click here for tickets. 

Swenson House celebrates Jane Austen
Swenson House, 1726 Swenson St., will be all decked out for a fun Christmas party 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Theme is the celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. Regency era attire is encouraged but not required. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and beer and wine are included with ticket purchase. Signature cocktails will be available for purchase. Advance tickets are $40. Tickets at the door will be $50. Click here for tickets. 

ArtWalk Christmas Market
The Center for Contemporary Arts will host December ArtWalk Christmas Market 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Featured will be:
The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature is hosting a Snowy Morning at the NCCIL starting at 9 a.m. and a Snowy Day at the NCCIL starting at 10 a.m. with lots of fun activities!
Reception for artists Kathie Walker-Millar, Larry Millar and Rebecca Boatman at the Center for Contemporary Arts from 5-7 p.m. for their exhibition “Leaves: The Lungs of Life.”
Visitors can explore all three floors of The Grace Museum during public hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by the gift shop for unique Christmas presents!

ACU Vespers at First Baptist
The Music Department at Abilene Christian University will present its Christmas Vespers program, Sanctus, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The program will be held at First Baptist Church, 1333 N. 3rd St.

Abilene Community Band
The Abilene Community Band will present its Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Paramount Theatre. Admission is free. Donations  will be accepted for the band’s

Highland Holiday Hymn Sing
Everyone is invited to a night of worship and Holiday Hymn Singing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the atrium at Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland Ave.

Wylie Baptist presents ‘Christ in Christmas’
Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road, will present “Christ in Christmas” Dec. 12-14. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14. The presentation features The Worship Choir and Orchestra and Drama Ministries. Free tickets are available at the church.

Christmas at the Zoo
A Christmas Celebration will be held at the Abilene Zoo Dec. 12-23. “Experience the magic of the season with Santa and his reindeer, the Grinch, and Mrs. Claus. Craft a toy at Santa’s Workshop, journey through Beltway’s Walk to Bethlehem, decorate cookies, skate on the iceless rink, warm up with hot cocoa, make s’mores around the fire and be immersed in over a million lights. There’s endless photo ops and holiday cheer at every turn!” Tickets are $16 for ages 3 and over. Ages 2 and under will be admitted for free. Click here for tickets. 

Winter Snowcase
The Key City Dance Company will present Winter Snowcase, “KCDC Under the Tree,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Paramount Theatre. “Celebrate the season with an afternoon of dance as the talented students of KCDC take the stage at the Historic Paramount Theatre.”  Click here for tickets.

Aaron Watson Family Christmas
“An Aaron Watson Family Christmas” will be presented on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. performance. Tickets are priced from $31.90 to $53.90. Click here for tickets.

Winter Solstice celebration
A Winter Solstice celebration will take place at Cassy’s, 141 Ruby St., on Saturday, Dec. 20. Cassy’s store will be open 1 to 8:30 p.m.The annual Bowl Burning and Releasing ritual will take place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “Lighten your life as you ‘independently’ release those things you choose not to carry into the New Year with you!” Gifts available in the store include The Ancestor Tree and “Your Light is Eternal” ornaments. Hot chocolate and specially blended hot cider will be available. 

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene