The Thanksgiving Day leftovers are finally finished and it’s time to decorate the tree, buy presents, and send holiday cards. This time of the year can be busy, but don’t let that block you from enjoying the season. Toledo has all you need to get in the holiday spirit!
December 1-January 1
North Pole Express
Fri-Sat 5-9pm | Sun 5-8pm
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation
12505 County Road 99 | Findlay
419-423-2995 | nworrp.org
Take this opportunity to live out the classic story of The Polar Express as you board Findlay’s own North Pole Express. Enjoy a ride through the beautiful wintry Ohio scenery, and remember to stop by the gift shop!
December 2
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
3:30pm and 8pm
Huntington Center
500 Jefferson Avenue | Toledo
1-800-745-3000 | huntingtoncentertoledo.com
No music says ‘it’s the holiday season’ like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Early in “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” tour, the Orchestra features two Toledo concerts here. Tickets $33.50-$74.50.
December 2-4
A Christmas Carol
The Valentine Theatre | 410 Adams St. | Toledo
419-242-3490 | valentinetheatre.com
Don’t be a Scrooge! The Toledo Rep presents its annual performance of A Christmas Carol. A 30-year old tradition in Toledo, this show is sure to remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas. $27/adults, $22/seniors, $17/children 13 and under.
December 2-4
Miracle on Main
Friday 5-10pm | Saturday 11am-4pm | Sunday 1-8pm
Downtown Sylvania | 419-882-2135
redbirdarts.org/miracle-on-main-street
Sylvania is packed full of holiday fun during Miracle on Main. This weekend-long celebration includes Sylvania’s First Friday Art Walk, live music, family crafts, Christmas movies, a silent auction fundraiser, a 5k run/walk, the Festival of Lights Parade, and a tree lighting with, special guest, Santa!
December 2-3
Heralding the Holidays
Friday 5-9pm and Saturday 10am-4pm
Toledo Botanical Garden
5403 Elmer Dr. | Toledo
419-536-5566 | toledogarden.org
Get some holiday shopping done while visiting the Botanical Gardens. Arts and crafters have many handmade gifts available for purchase.
December 3
Toledo Symphony Orchestra: Christmas at the Peristyle
3pm | Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle
2445 Monroe St. | Toledo
419-255-8000 | toledosymphony.com
Come see the Toledo Symphony as it celebrates Christmas with a concert featuring all your favorite Christmas tunes. Join in for a Toledo Opera Chorus-lead sing-along, and be sure to keep a lookout for a visit from Santa.
December 3
Grinch Grow Your Heart
2-4pm | Levis Commons Books-A-Million
2105 Levis Commons Blvd. | Perrysburg
419-873-0727 | shopleviscommons.com
Help the Grinch grow his heart three sizes! Join Books-A-Million for storytime and holiday activities.
December 3
CMA Holiday Concert
4pm | Bowling Green State University
Donnell Theatre-Wolfe Center for the Arts
419-372-2531 | bgsu.edu/musical-arts
Enjoy a variety of ensembles as they bring in the holidays with some classic tunes. In collaboration with BGSU’s annual Arts-X, this concert features BGSU’s student artists. After the concert explore the art buildings on campus to watch films, music, dance, theatre, and visual arts created by the students.
December 3, 9, 10
Holiday Lantern Tour
4-8:30pm
Sauder Village | 22611 St. Rte 2 | Archbold
1-800-590-9755 | saudervillage.org
Learn a little history during your holidays with a trolley ride through Sauder Village. The trolley will make stops to allow visitors to prepare a holiday meal, make holiday crafts, sing carols, and frost cookies. Preregistration and prepayment is required. Non-members: $13/adult, $7/children 3-16. Members: $11/adult, $6/children 3-16.
December 3 – December 11
Holidays in the Manor House
10am | Wildwood Preserve
5100 W. Central Ave. | Toledo
419-407-9700 | metroparkstoledo.com
For over 40 years, the Manor House has been magically transformed into a winter wonderland (with the help of some hard-working volunteers). Stop by Wildwood to tour the home, make s’mores, and enjoy carriage rides.
December 1-December 31
Lights Before Christmas
Sunday–Thursday 3-8pm | Friday and Saturday 3-9pm
Toledo Zoo | 2 Hippo Way | Toledo
419-385-4040 | toledozoo.org
Lights Before Christmas is one of Toledo’s most well-known holiday happenings. With 70 miles of lights, visitors are bathed in the splendor of the season. Grab a cocoa and bundle up, this sight you won’t want to miss! Tickets are $17-Adult, and $14-Children and Seniors.
December 4
Toledo Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
4pm | Rosary Cathedral
2535 Collingwood Blvd | Toledo
419-255-8000 | toledosymphony.com
Enjoy the beauty of the Rosary Cathedral while listening to TSO’s stunning performance of Handel’s Messiah.
December 8
UT Jazz Holiday Concert
7pm | The University of Toledo’s University Hall
2801 W. Bancroft St. | Toledo
419-530-2452 | utoledo.edu/comm-arts/music
Jazz up your holidays with a musically fun time at The University of Toledo. This is an event the whole family will enjoy. Be sure to keep your eye out for some special guest performers!
December 9 – December 24
Children’s Wonderland
11am-8pm | Tam-O-Shanter
7060 Sylvania Ave. | Sylvania
419-885-1167 | sylvaniatamoshanter.com
This Toledo classic event has been around for more than 50 years. A truly beautiful look at the wonders of Christmas, this family event features train rides, treats, interactive kid zones, and pictures with Santa!
December 10
Holiday Celebration
4:30pm | West Toledo Branch Library– Auditorium
1320 Sylvania Ave. | Toledo
419-259-5290 | toledolibrary.org
Spend an afternoon at the library listening to holiday stories, making crafts, and visiting with Santa! Then stop by the park across the street for the tree-lighting ceremony.
December 11
Fort Meigs Holiday Open House
1-4pm | Fort Meigs
29100 West River Rd. | Perrysburg
fortmeigs.org
Celebrate the holidays with Fort Meigs as they provide demonstrations and answer questions about the War of 1812, all while you enjoy holiday music and refreshments.
December 16-18
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Ten Mile Creek Theatre
Sylvania Northview Performing Arts Center
5403 Silica Dr. | Sylvania
419-262-1753 | tenmilecreektheatre.com
Join Ten Mile Creek Theatre Company as it begins a new tradition of presenting A Charlie Brown Christmas live onstage. The well-known holiday story takes its turn in the spotlight.
December 11
Hanukkah Palooza
11:30am | The Temple
6453 Sylvania Ave. | Sylvania
RSVP at [email protected] or 419-724-0362
A groovy Hanukkah happening with a far out hippie theme! Get excited for Hanukkah while enjoying music, food, and fun! Entirely free, but please bring adult socks or toiletries as a donation for the St. Paul’s Community Center.
December 11
One Night in Bethlehem
1-6 pm | Collingwood Presbyterian Church
2108 Collingwood Blvd | Toledo
419-243-3275 | collingwoodpc.net
Take a step back in time to experience the sights, sounds, tastes and aromas of ancient life as you walk through Bethlehem. Enjoy musical performances, live animals, a nativity scene, tours of the historic church and more — all for free!
December 17
Santa’s Last Stop
11am-2pm | Nature’s Corner
6036 Angola Rd. | Holland | OH
419-866-0420 | mynaturescorner.com
It’s getting close to Christmas, so come out to Nature’s Corner to visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer before they head back to the North Pole to get ready for Christmas Eve. While enjoying hot chocolate and cookies, visit the Gift & Garden Shops for some unique holiday gifts.
December 17-18
The Nutcracker
Saturday 2&7pm | Sunday 2pm
Stranahan Theater | 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. | Toledo
419-381-8851 | stranahantheater.org
The longest-running annual Nutcracker performance in the United States, this Toledo tradition is sure to stun audiences. Keeping with tradition, the character Mother Ginger will be played by a local celebrity at each performance! Tickets range from $27.50-$57.50.
December 18
Run Santa Run 5K
9:00am-11:00am | The Town Center at Levis Commons
4190 Levis Commons Blvd. | Perrysburg
440-413-0907 | runsanta5k.com/toledo
The perfect event for runners to get in the holiday spirit. Join hundreds of festively dressed runners and walkers as they tackle this 5K course. The race will be timed and awards will be given to those who place in their age category. Have fun socializing after the event while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. For more information, [email protected]
December 19
Holiday Magic Show
6:30-7:30 | Waterville Branch Library
800 Michigan Ave. | Waterville
419-878-3055 | toledolibrary.org
Feel the magic of the season with a Toledo Public Library-sponsored magic show! Fun for the whole family and free! Just be sure to register for your seat starting December 5.
December 26-31
Sleigh Rides
1-4pm | Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center
1 Spiegel Grove | Fremont
419-332-2081 | rbhayes.org
Ride like President Rutherford Hayes – horse-drawn sleigh style! South Creek Clydesdales will pull sleigh rides around the President’s 25-acre Fremont estate. Cost is only $3 per person and rides are on a first-come, first-served basis.
December 31
Noon Year’s Eve
11am-1pm | Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way | Toledo
419-385-4040 | toledozoo.org
Midnight is awfully late. Why not celebrate a little early at the Toledo Zoo’s Noon Year’s Eve? Cheer in the New Year by watching the ball rise at noon and having an apple juice toast. Ice carving, crafts, and an ice slide will also be available for a fun family outing.
