It’s December! The holidays are right around the corner, and you can bet your plum pudding that businesses throughout downtown have been busy ornamenting and illuminating their stores in preparation for the season. Be sure not miss out on all the plays, musical performances and other holiday events downtown during this fun and exciting time of year!

Starry Nights Christmas Tree Festival and Gala
When: Dec. 1-4, Festival: Thursday and Friday (4-8pm) Saturday (9-6pm); Gala: Sunday (5-8pm)
What: The Festival benefits the People’s City Mission and will feature a variety of family-friendly activities for guests to enjoy including pictures with Santa, caroling and other live entertainment. Children will be able to take part in the three creation stations that include ornament decoration, coloring and letters to Santa. Attendees can enjoy hot beverages and other free concessions as they peruse the 18 professionally designed Christmas trees that were each decorated with $750 worth of lights and decorations and portray traditional holiday themes. Taking place on Sunday is the Starry Nights Gala, a formal Christmas celebration where guests will enjoy an elegant meal and refreshments as they listen to holiday music from Preeminent Entertainment DJ services and bid on live and silent auction items.
Where: Lincoln Station Great Hall, Haymarket 7th and P
How Much: Festival: $5 for adults, $3 for kids (4-11) and FREE for children ages 3 and under; Gala: $55
More info: http://downtownlincoln.org/connect/news/view/downtown-tree-festival-to-benefit-peoples-city-mission/

Nuncracker: The Nunsense Christmas Musical
When: Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11, Dec.15-18; Thurs-Sat: 7:30 pm, Sun: 2 pm
What: The sisters of Hoboken are back in this all new holiday installment of the Nunsense series! The nuns gather together for their first TV special-taped in the cable access studio built by the Reverend Mother in the convent basement. What they had hoped would be a holiday special quickly turns into a show full of holiday havoc as the Sisters’ plans are interrupted by a series of hilarious events. Complete with a “Secret Santa” series with the audience and an uproarious take on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet, Nuncrackers is the perfect way to make sure you get in the habit for the holidays.
Where: TADA Theatre, Creamery Building, 7th and P
How Much: Evening $18, Matinee $15
More info: http://www.tadaproductions.info/

Deck The Halls, Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra
When: Friday, December 2, 7:30 pm
What: Get into the spirit of the season with a program of traditional holiday favorites. Our annual holiday pops features local choirs, celebrities, and dancers performing The Nutcracker.
Where: The Lied Center, 12th and Q
How Much: Adults: $25/$10, Students: $10, 20/30 Club: $10
More info: http://downtownlincoln.org/connect/calendar/event/4817/

Holidays in the Haymarket
When: Friday, December 2-December 16
What: Join the Historic Haymarket District Friday nights in December for Holidays in the Haymarket. Santa Clause is roaming the Haymarket all three Friday Nights! Horse & Carriage Rides are available on these nights from 6:00-9:00pm! High School Music Groups will be performing at the Holiday Inn - Downtown. All other entertainment listed will be held inside and outside the Creamery Building on 7th & P Streets. Many shops will be open late for your shopping pleasure!
Don’t forget about Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 3rd from 8am-11am in the Candy Factory Building (P Street entrance by Lazlo’s)
Friday, December 2nd
6:00-6:30pm – Lincoln Boys Chorale Choir
6:30-7:00pm – Lincoln Boys Concert Choir
7:00-7:30pm – Brass Choir
7:30-8:30pm – Doeden Line Dancers
Friday, December 9th
6:00-6:30pm – Lincoln Boys Chorale Choir
6:30-7:00pm – Lincoln Boys Concert Choir
7:00-7:30pm – Waverly Intermediate Choir
7:30-8:00pm – Capital City Dance Shack (Home of Capital City Cloggers)
8:00-8:30pm – Starstuck Dance Academy
Friday, December 16th
6:00-6:30pm – TADA Nuncracker Singers
6:30-7:30pm – Cheer & Dance Express
7:30-8:30pm – Capital City Dance Shack (Home of Capital City Cloggers)
Where: Creamery Building, 7th and P
How Much: FREE
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/140540872718141/

Breakfast With Santa:
When: Saturday, December 3, 8:00 am-11:00 am
What: Enjoy breakfast Saturday morning with Santa!
Where: In the Candy Factory at 800 P Street (P Street Entrance next to Lazlo’s)
How Much: Admission to the Breakfast with Santa and the Starry Nights Christmas Tree Festival is $9 for adults, $7 for Kids and FREE for children ages 3 and under. ($6 for breakfast only)
More info: http://lincolnhaymarket.org/events/breakfast-with-santa/

Winter Gem
When: Saturday, December 3, 5:00pm-7:00pm & Sunday, December 4, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
What: Celebrate the opening of A Winter Gem with the University Chamber Singers, directed by Therees Hibbard, in the Great Hall. Sunday: A family fun event with music, art-making and treats.
Where: Sheldon Museum of Art, 12th and R
How Much: FREE
More info: http://www.sheldonartmuseum.org/exhibitions/upcoming_exhibitions.html?topic=detail&exb_id=141&category_sent=Upcoming+Exhibitions

A Christmas Carol
When: December 8, 9 and 10 Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7:00 pm, Sat at 2:00 pm
What: The classic tale by Charles Dickens adapted by Fred Stuart.
Where: Haymarket Theatre, 8th and Q
How Much: $8 students and seniors, $10 general
More info: http://www.haymarkettheatre.org/

A Celtic Tenors Christmas
When: Thursday, December 8, 7:30 pm
What: Celebrate the holidays in style with Celtic Tenors Christmas! Even the most committed grinch won’t be able to resist the holiday harmonies and Christmas cheer of the Celtic Tenors, called “the most successful classical crossover artists ever to emerge from Ireland.” Join the countless other Nebraska families who make the Lied at Christmas time an annual tradition!
Where: The Lied Center, 12th and Q
How Much: $26-$36
More info: http://www.liedcenter.org/events/detail.php?eid=134

Bad Santa Christmas Party
When: Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10, 10:00 pm
What: On Fri. & Sat. Dec. 9-10, 2011 (dead week weekend) come throw some back, and play our new Christmas drinking game for FREE DRINKS, DISCOUNTS, GAG GIFTS, AND MORE! The ABSTRACT DJs spinning live.
Where: The Downtown, 15th and O
How Much: Cover charge
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/321156507910531/

Killigans Christmas Show
When: Saturday, December 10, 9:00 pm
What: An Ugly Christmas Sweater party with Last Slice and Bent Left
Where: Knickerbockers, 9th and O
More info: http://downtownlincoln.org/connect/calendar/event/4848/

Lorie Line: Christmas Bells are Ringing!
When: Sunday, December 11, 3:00 pm
What: This year’s theme, Christmas Bells Are Ringing!, will give Lorie Line fans a huge hint about her upcoming holiday show. Yes, bells are back! After a two-year hiatus on bell ringing, this year’s show promises to please Line’s audience as she brings Christmas music and happy bell ringing back to the stage. So, get your family and friends together, and make plans now to attend the Lorie Line Holiday Extravaganza when she stops in your town.
Where: The Lied Center, 12th and Q
How Much: $48
More info: http://www.liedcenter.org/events/detail.php?eid=168

Gingerbread House Contest Viewing
When: Friday, December 16, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
What: An open house will be held on Friday, December 16th at the store from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm where visitors may view the winning entries and enjoy free samples of candy and beverages.
Where: Licorice International.
How Much: FREE
More info: http://downtownlincoln.org/connect/news/view/licorice-international-hosts-gingerbread-house-contest/

Elk’s 104th Annual Children’s Christmas Party
When: Sunday, December 18th, 1:00 pm
What: Entertainment, prizes and a visit from Santa Claus
Where: Pershing Center, Centennial Mall and N
How Much: FREE
More info: http://www.pershingcenter.com/events/

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For other events, check out our downtown event calendar.

Enjoy the time spent with your family this holiday season!