It cannot be denied that winter is on its way!
Luckily, here in Richland County there is a long list of holiday events to help warm us up during this coldest of seasons. Calendars are getting tighter, but you’ll definitely want to squeeze in these free family festivals, musical performances, and one last trip to your favorite attraction as they’ve decked the halls for the Christmas season. This list is courtesy of our friends at Destination Mansfield – Richland County.
Watch the arrival of the Ashland Railway’s Polar Xpress 2019 (November 24) in Downtown Shelby. This free holiday event is brought to you by the Shelby Area Business Group’s Moments of Christmas Magic and includes ice sculpting, live reindeer, free kids activities, and more. Make sure to bring a camera for pictures with Santa, Scooby-Doo, The Grinch, and more familiar characters. In December, you can also have Breakfast with the Snow Sisters (December 21) at Lexington Event Center.
Celebrate Christmas in historic downtown Mansfield at Christmas Time in the City (December 6). Don’t miss the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Richland Carrousel Park at 6 PM, live reindeer, Christmas caroling, photos with Santa, carriage rides and more! The Ontario Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on December 5 at 5:30 PM at the Marshall Park Pavilion #2 and Band Shelter. The evening’s activities will include special performances, an appearance from Santa Claus, hot chocolate, cookies, and a coloring contest.
To help children shop for their parents, the volunteer-assisted Tiny Tim Shoppe for children ages 12 and under will open November 23 at 128 N. Main St. The shop will be open every Saturday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM through December 21. Gifts are $10 and under and are wrapped onsite.
Holiday performances at The Renaissance Theatre include The Lettermen (November 30), the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra: Holiday Prelude (December 8), and the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra & Chorus: Holiday Pops (December 14). Bring the whole family to watch the Christmas classic Family Film: Home Alone (December 15). Celebrate Advent and the Christmas season with St. Peter’s Music Series: Advent Lessons & Carols (December 15) at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
A holiday season favorite, don’t miss the Candlelight Holiday Tours (December 6-8, 13-15) at Malabar Farm State Park. Tour Louis Bromfield’s Big House while its halls are decked for the holiday season. Your tour will include freshly baked cookies, hot cider, and you may even enjoy an appearance by Santa Claus himself.
Kingwood Center Gardens will open for Christmas at Kingwood on November 30 – more details to come! The Hampstead Stage will present a production of A Christmas Carol at Kingwood Center Gardens on December 5 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. There will be a free children’s activity at 5:30 PM before the show, and your ticket includes admission to Christmas at Kingwood. Non-members: $8, members and children ages 6-12: $3. Children age 5 and under are free!
But wait! There’s even more happening in Richland County this holiday season! You’ll find recurring events, festive painting parties, family crafts, live music and more on the Destination Mansfield – Richland County Calendar of Events!
Photo: 1812Blockhouse File Photo
