December has arrived decked out in live music, parties, family fun events and more.
Best Bet
Ice Bar. Toys for local kids. Stylish Parkas. Warming items donations. Outdoor party in December. Holiday decoration collection. Free beer.
That list may sound like we took a bunch of cool ideas and threw them into the air like confetti, but they all fit together quite festively at the Parka Party with Great Lakes Brewing Company at Captain Mike’s, 5118 6th Ave. from 6-9 p.m. Friday (Dec. 3).
The party is outside thanks to the ice bar designed by Art Below Zero Ice Sculptures. Patrons are encouraged to wear their “warmest and most stylish parkas.”
The event will benefit the Kenosha community. Anyone bringing warming items including gloves, mittens, hats, scarves or winter jackets/coats, or a new (unwrapped) toy will receive a free pint. Winter items and toys will be donated to the Walkin’ in My Shoes organization with the help of KTown Connects Podcast.
Free pints will also be handed out to anyone bringing a Christmas decoration to share at the soiree.
Seasonal brews and other selections will be available from sponsor Great Lakes Brewing, and a food truck will be on hand selling hot sandwiches.
Top Picks
An ugly sweater can be a beautiful thing.
The inaugural Ugly Sweater and Holiday Tree Auction is set for 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4) at The Vault Banquet Hall & Event Venue, 625 57th St.
Sponsored by the Sharon-Kay & Emmie Louise Spears Foundation, this community event benefits both local families in need and scholarships for area students.
The event includes kids games, face painting, complimentary food and beverages and raffle items from favorite businesses throughout Kenosha.
Custom-created Christmas trees decorated and donated by area nonprofit organizations and local businesses will be on display and available through an auction, which runs through Saturday. All proceeds from the auction and raffle will be donated to the foundation to support annual scholarships for students going to school and living in the Kenosha area, said founders Patrick and Renesha Langston.
In a recent Kenosha.com feature story, Langston said he’s thankful for the outpouring of support he’s received from community leaders.
“It’s been a wonderful turnout,” he said. “We had about 20 different businesses who volunteered to decorate trees on behalf of our organization. So many beautiful trees from so many businesses.”
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This is the weekend to see the Kemper Center’s annual Gallery of Trees from 3-7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 3), and from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 4-5) in the main Kemper building, 6501 3rd Ave.
Approximately 20 Christmas trees ranging in size from 4 to 9 feet tall are dressed in their holiday best along with mantelpieces, wreaths, and centerpieces.
All displays are decorated by artistic volunteers and sponsored by local businesses and individuals/families. The trees and holiday decorations are auctioned or raffled off and will be delivered to homes after the showcase ends Sunday.
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Theater season is in full swing, with KUSD and Lakeside Players both presenting holiday shows this weekend.
KUSD Theater Arts presents “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Dec. 3-4) and 2 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 5) at Bradford High School Studio Theater, 3700 Washington Road. Tickets are $13 for the general public, $11 for senior citizens and $6 for KUSD staff/students.
(For more from KUSD Fine Arts, please follow Kenosha.com in the coming week for details on the return of the live performance of KUSD’s Ye Olde Englishe Christmasse Feaste Dec. 10-11.)
Lakeside Players, Inc. presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” opening Friday (Dec. 3) at 7:30 p.m. at the Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. The family-friendly show follows the shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, or “the worst kids in the history of the world.” The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale. The show’s run continues Saturday (Dec. 4) at 7:30 p.m., Sunday (Dec. 5) at 2 p.m., and again Dec. 10-11 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10.
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The Kenosha Public Museum’s International Holiday Market gives visitors a chance to shop for artisan products from all over the world as well as right here in Kenosha. Set for 1-4 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 4) the market features sweets, crafts and opportunities to create an ornament and learn about Ikebana floral arranging. Ballet Folklorico Tayahua will provide live music throughout the day, and a hot cocoa and toppings bar will be available. Admission is free.
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Step back in time by celebrating the rich traditions of a Victorian Christmas 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4) at the Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. The festivities include musical performances, ornament making and holiday crafts. Visitors will also find displays of dollhouses and Civil War miniatures, living history presentations and a replica of a Civil War-era game parlor. Performances of holiday favorites will include Ed Pierce and the Palmyra Eagle Brass Band at 11 a.m., MGV Harmonia German Men’s Choir at 1 p.m. and Frogwater, performing both festive Irish favorites and seasonal music, at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.
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A Cozy Night at Blue House is an after-hours early holiday gathering held 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 3) at Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave. A, featuring Jordan Stocker on the piano, refreshments, and gifts included with any purchase.
“We are so lucky to have the most amazing customers a little indie bookstore could ever ask for, and we truly would not be where we are today if it weren’t for all of your love and support. So this holiday season, we thank you!” said Blue House owner Sam Jacquest.
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Hawthorn Hollow, 880 Green Bay Rd., is the picturesque setting for a Holiday Boutique and Bake Sale Saturday (Dec. 4). This family-friendly event features unique, hand-crafted holiday gifts as well as wreaths and swags made from natural materials gathered on the Hawthorn property. Fresh greens will be available for crafting. Homemade cookies, cakes and candies will be available for purchase, and Santa Claus will be there, too!
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Day Tripper
Close to home but still requiring a car and a little planning is the exciting re-opening of Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort, 11931 Fox River Rd., Wilmot. The ski and snowboard season gets underway Friday afternoon (Dec. 3), weather permitting, at the resort that has been a winter destination since 1938.
Opening weekend hours are Friday 3:30-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Information on lift tickets, passes is available here. Please note that tubing is not open at this time.
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Milwaukee Area Messiah Community Chorus & Orchestra (MAMCCO) will present a free performance of Handel’s Messiah at 3 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 5) at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 6031 W Chapel Hill Rd., Mequon. Donations will be accepted to support the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. For a preview, listen to an earlier concert here.
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No holiday trip to Chicago is complete without at least a glimpse of a tradition dating back nearly 150 years. The windows at Macy’s 111 N. State St., are ready for visitors, both nostalgic and newcomers. The Walnut Room with its iconic Christmas tree is waiting as well, along with Santaland. Did you know: While Chicagoans may long for the days of Marshall Field’s, Macy’s in New York City was actually the first department store to decorate its windows with elaborate scenes for the holidays, back in 1874.
The Lineup
FRIDAY (Dec. 3)
Music
Triad (Jazz), 9 p.m. Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.
Karaoke, 8 p.m. Fusion, 5014 7th Ave.
Carthage College Christmas Festival Live Stream (in-person event is sold out), 7:30 p.m., information can be found here.
Art
Annual Winter Juried Exhibition, 1-4 p.m. Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave, through Jan. 9, 2022. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Theater
KUSD Theater Arts presents “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, 7:30 p.m. Bradford High School Studio Theater, 3700 Washington Rd. Tickets $13 general public, $11 senior citizens, $6 students/staff.
Lakeside Players: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” 7:30 p.m. Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St.,Tickets $10.
Potpourri
Cozy Night at Blue House, 7 p.m., Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave. A. Featuring Jordan Stocker on piano.
Open Skating, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m. -10 p.m. daily (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free.
Family
Preschool storytime 9:30-10 a.m. and 10:30-11 a.m., Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave.
Friday Fun Day for families with children, 1-3 p.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave.
SATURDAY (Dec. 4)
Music
Marie Martens Trio, 8-11 p.m., Union Park Tavern 4520 8th Ave.
The Affordables, 8 p.m., Rustic Road Brewing, 5706 6th Ave.
Pat McCurdy Kenosha Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Ave. Tickets online $10.
Ed Pierce and the Palmyra Eagle Brass Band at 11 a.m., MGV Harmonia German Men’s Choir at 1 p.m. and Frogwater, festive Irish favorites and seasonal music at 2:30 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Free.
Carthage College Christmas Festival Live Stream (in-person event is sold out), 7:30 p.m., information on the live stream event can be found here.
Art
Annual Winter Juried Exhibition, 1-4 p.m. Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave, through Jan. 9, 2022. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Kenosha Creative Store, Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Theater
KUSD Theater Arts presents “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, 7:30 p.m. Bradford High School Studio Theater, 3700 Washington Rd. Tickets $13 general public, $11 senior citizens, $6 students/staff.
Lakeside Players: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” 7:30 p.m. Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St., $10.
Potpourri
Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m. -10 p.m. daily (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free.
Holiday Greenery Workshop, 8:30-10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-noon, Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Rd, Kansasville. Create beautiful evergreen sprays or swags using natural materials. All materials provided. Please call (262) 878-5601 to pre-register. Fee is $20. State Park sticker required.
Kenosha HarborMarket, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Union Club, 3030 39th Ave.
Kenosha Public Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., two locations: The Vault Banquet Hall, 625 57th St. and Public Craft Brewing Co., 628 58th St.
Toy Drive and Holiday Celebration, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gateway Classic Cars, 9949 58th Pl. Free Admission with a donation of an unwrapped toy for Fire Truck o’ Toys and Toys for Tots distribution.
Family
Tails N’ Tales: Read to a Dog! (Ages 5-12), 10-11 a.m., Southwest Library 7979 38th Ave. Registration required, please call Youth & Family Services, 262-564-6150.
Holiday LIghts at the Farm walkable holiday light display, 3-8 p.m. Jerry Smith Farm, 7150 18th no St. (through Dec. 19). General admission is $5 for guests 3+ years old.
SUNDAY (Dec. 5)
Music
Open Mic with Daniel Thompson and his 3AM Saints, 4 p.m., Fusion 5014 7th Ave.
Cy’s Piano Jam, Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave. 4-7 p.m.
Carthage College Christmas Festival Live Stream (in-person event is sold out), 4 p.m., information on the live stream event can be found here.
Art
Yule Wreath making with Michelle Ranee, 3 p.m., Fusion, 5014 7th Ave. $20 fee includes all materials.
Annual Winter Juried Exhibition, 1-4 p.m. Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave, through Jan. 9, 2022. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Kenosha Creative Store, Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Theater
KUSD Theater Arts presents “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, 2 p.m. Bradford High School Studio Theater, 3700 Washington Rd. Tickets $13 general public, $11 senior citizens, $6 students/staff.
Lakeside Players: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” 2 p.m. Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St., $10.
Potpourri
Special Guest Author D. Lieber, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave., Free.
Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m. -10 p.m. daily (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free.
Family
Holiday LIghts at the Farm walkable holiday light display, 3-8 p.m. Jerry Smith Farm, 7150 18th no St. (through Dec. 19). General admission is $5 for guests 3+ years old.
To submit an event for Kenosha.com’s Calendar, please email Laura@Kenosha.com and be sure to include contact information.
