Among the events in the area are:
• Now – Jan. 2, 2016 – Speedway in Lights – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly at Bristol Motor Speedway. Admission to The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights Powered by TVA is $12 for cars Sunday through Thursday and $15 for cars Friday and Saturday. Activity vans are $20 each and buses are $85. The event is open daily from 6-10 p.m., including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more information on Speedway in Lights, including the season’s schedule, admission pricing, and promotional guideline, visit speedwayinlights.org or call 423-989-6900.
• Now – Jan 10, 2016 – The Ice Rink at Bristol Motor Speedway presented by HVAC – times vary by date. Cost to skate $5 plus $2 skate rental. If you have your own skates cost is only $5 admission. Group discounts available. Skating sessions are for 1 hour. For more information call 423-989-6924.
• Nov 29 – Jan. 3 – Winterfest Art Show with opening reception Nov. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. Art work from the Watauga Valley Art League will remain on display during regular park hours throughout the month of December.
• Nov. 29 – Jan. 3 – Lamplight Christmas Wreath Exhibit at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Display will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 1 to 4:30 p.m Sunday. The rooms at the park will be graced with wreaths of all designs and colors hung from old time lamp posts. Wreaths will be made by community civic groups, schools, and individuals. This year’s theme is “A Christmas Story!”
• Dec. 3-20 – Miracle on 34th Street – Jonesborough Repertory Theatre – Jonesborough. Based on the beloved 1947. Based on the beloved 1947 film, this play tells the story of Kris Kringle in a modern setting. Kringle, believing he is Santa Claus, goes on trial to have his sanity judged and have decided if he is indeed the one and only Santa Claus. The play takes place in New York City and begins at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Doris Walker is a manager at Macy’s and a single mother to her daughter Susan. Doris is logical and level-headed, and does not believe in the magic of the Christmas season. Susan is quickly following in her footsteps. Can Kris Kringle with assistance from his friend Fred Gayley help Doris Walker? Can Kris Kringle bring the magic of Christmas back to New York City?
• Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5 – Christmas at the Carter Mansion from 6 to 9 p.m. Spend a candlelit evening in the oldest frame house in Tennessee, decorated with bright greenery for the holidays. Enjoy music, refreshments and historic interpreters acting out scenes from an 18th century Christmas. This Christmas celebration is by reservation only and space is limited. Contact the park at regular operating hours for more information.
• Beginning Friday, Dec. 4 – A Candelight Christmas – Rocky Mount Historical Association Museum will present “A Candlelight Christmas” on the Friday and Saturday evenings of Dec. 4,5,11, and 12. Tours begin every 15 minutes from 4:30 until 8:00. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for children (ages 5-17). Members of RMHA receive discounted admission, group discounts available. Reservations can be made through Rocky Mount Museum (423) 538-7396, Mon-Fri 9-5.
In this day of a highly commercialized Christmas, a visit to Rocky Mount Historical Association Museum can readily provide a glimpse back to an earlier time when Christmas was recognized simply as the birth of Christ, rather than the shopping frenzy it often seems to be today. The “Candlelight Christmas” Living History Tour takes through the historic home of Rocky Mount, transformed to Christmas Eve of 1791, meeting historic interpreters portraying the Cobb family of Rocky Mount, Gov. Blount and his family, and friends and neighbors.
The historic two-story log cabin and the other outbuildings are decorated simply with attractive traditional decorations, made from locally available greenery such as pine and holly, and colorful fruits such as apples. Hand dipped candles, which adorn each room and illuminate the walkways, complete the cozy look and feel of a frontier home in the eighteenth century. Traditional music, dancing, heart-warming stories, are all part of this Christmas celebration perfectly demonstrating that though the traditions may have changed , the “Spirit of Christmas” and the warmth of fellowship with friends and family, transcends the centuries. After the tour, which takes about 90 minutes, visitors are welcomed back to the 21st century with a modern reception.
• Saturday, Dec. 5 – Elizabethton’s Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Parade applications are available at www.elizabethtonchamber.com and may also be picked up at the Elizabethton Carter County Chamber of Commerce. The deadline for entries is Wed., Nov. 25. The theme of the parade is “All Aboard the Tweetsie Express.
• Saturday, Dec. 5 & Sunday, Dec. 6 – Milligan’s Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium, Seeger Chapel. The performance features choirs, orchestra, brass choir, and the organ. The evening also includes a carol sing-along and concludes with a moving candle-lighting and singing of “Silent Night.” The concert is free, but a suggested donation of $5 will be taken to benefit the college’s music program
• Saturday, Dec. 5 – Oak Street WMU will have a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendor deadline is Nov. 15.
• Saturday, Dec. 5 – Davy Crockett Christmas – Join us on December 5, 2015 for our Annual Crockett Christmas Event. Crockett Christmas is a living history event that will provide visitors with a glimpse of Christmas past on the frontier. The birthplace cabin will be decorated in pioneer spirit along with traditional music playing inside the cabin from 4:30-7:30pm. Traditional storytelling will be provided along with hot wassail & edibles common to that period. The path to the cabin will be lit by candlelight & a nice warm fire in the cabin & outside the cabin will keep you toasty warm. Event time will be 4-8 pm Saturday only. For more information about this or other events here at Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park, please contact Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Visitor’s Center at 423-257-2167 or Dawn.Elberbawy@tn.gov
• Thursday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 17 – Christmas Walks – Step back through the centuries and experience the changes in Christmas celebrations in Elizabethton. Learn of old traditions brought to the area by immigrants from the old country. See Elizabethton with new eyes as The Front Porch Storytellers share with you local tales and traditions. The walk begins at 6 p.m in front of the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library and last for 90 minutes. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors, $10 for veterans and $10 for children age 9-12. Walks are limited to 20 people. You must call 423-542-9360 to reserve your spot. Payment is accepted at the beginning of the walk.
• Dec 11 – 13 – “The Nutcracker” – Bristol Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” December 11,12 and 13 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol. Celebrate the holidays with this beloved, timeless classic ballet presented by Bristol’s longest-standing regional ballet company. As part of the 51st year of presenting “The Nutcracker”, this year will feature popular professional guest artists from New York City: Erin Ginn (originally from Kingsport, TN), Lydia Haug, Joel Levy, and J. Ryan Carroll. A cast of 56 local dancers and community members will appear, with local favorite Mike Locke playing the role of Drosselmeyer and returning alumnus Camille Clark appearing as the Snow Demi Soloist and Spanish. This ballet will get you into the Holiday spirit and have you smiling as you leave the theatre. Be sure to check out www.bristolballet.org for details about the Gingerbread Ball that follows the Saturday performance – separate reservations required through Bristol Ballet. Performance times are December 11 at 7:30, December 12 at 12:30, and December 13 at 2:30. For more information, visit www.bristolballet.org or call 276-669-6051.
• Saturday, Dec. 12 – Pet photos with Santa planned at Tractor Supply – HoHoHO!! Santa Paws is coming to town on Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. -2 p.m. at Tractor Supply, in Elizabethton. Bring your furry friends for a photo with Santa by photographer Rebecca Marr for just $5! Fire in the Hole Pizza will be there with wood-fired pizza. Pet items, baked goods, Rada cutlery, and more will be available for sale. Plus ECCAS will have pets for adoption! Volunteers are still needed to help with the event. For more information, contact Danika Nadzan, Executive Director, East Tennessee Spay and Neuter, etsn.office@gmail.com
• Saturday Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13 – A Taste of Nutcracker – East Tennessee Youth Ballet and Academy will be presenting “A Taste of Nutcracker” at Milligan College Sat Dec 12th at 7:00 and Dec 13th at 2:00$15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students, and children under 3 free.
• Saturday, Dec. 12 – Visions of Christmas: 1865 – Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site will present “Visions of Christmas: 1865” on Saturday, December 12 from 2-6 p.m. This is the second and final part of our Sesquicentennial (150th) national celebration of the Civil War. Come and experience a candle light tour as reenactors and volunteers in period clothing portray the Haynes family and others. The program will follow the theme of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol of the past, present, and future. Shirley Whitburn will be playing the autoharp in the parlor. Sample foods cooked over an open hearth in the cabin. Inside the Visitor Center will be punch and cookies and festive music and carols sung by Art Daniels, the Johnson City Senior Chorale, and the Golden Heirs Community Choir. Kids can enjoy the festivities while making paper ornaments.
Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children 12 and under and $4 for adults and $1.50 for children 12 and under for groups of 10 or more. As always, members of the Tipton-Haynes Historical Association receive free admission. Please call 423-926-3631 to make a reservation. Tours begin at 2:00 p.m. and continue every twenty minutes until the last tour at 5:40 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 19 – Acoustic Christmas at 7 p.m. at Freedom Hall Civic Center. This year’s Electric 94.9’s Acoustic Christmas is the Tri-Cities annual holiday concert for all ages. The show features national pop and rock recording artists playing both plugged in and un-plugged shows. Artists scheduled to appear are Panic! At The Disco, Flo Rida, Andy Grammer, Rachel Platten and Tori Kelly. Tickets are on sale now at Freedom Hall.