Document text
Rogue Valley holiday events — Selfies with Santa, sing-alongs & more: Dec. 9 By Tempo staff Updated: Dec 08, 2022 12:48 PM A A Studio Roxander sets the sugar plum fairies, the mouse king and all the toy soldiers dancing across the stage during their annual holiday production of "The Nutcracker," Saturdays and Sundays. See listings. Courtesy photo Sensory Friendly Santa: A sensory and autism friendly Santa will be available to meet with children and their families for free in Medford, Grants Pass and online. Visits will be held from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Grants Pass; in Medford from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 (Spanish speaking Santa), and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18; and online visits will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 (Spanish speaking Santa), and from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Registration is required; details will be provided upon registration. To register contact the Autism Society of Oregon by email at [email protected] or call 503-636-1676 (or 888-AUTISM-1). Jacksonville Victorian Christmas: Jacksonville decorates the town in natural greenery with white lights to evoke the spirit of Christmases past. Residents can catch Father Christmas from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 18, at the Beekman Bank, corner of California and Third Streets. There is no charge for taking your own photos with Santa. Look for strolling carolers — some in vintage costumes — and find complimentary hot cider, wagon and trolley rides and more during the annual holiday tradition of a “Victorian Christmas.” For further information see jacksonvilleoregon.org or call 541-899-8118. Letters to Santa: Children can deliver their letters to Santa and receive a letter back from the jolly man himself. Children can drop their letters off at the Special Delivery North Pole mailbox at the Santo Community Center, 701 N. Columbus Ave., Medford, or mail them to the same address no later than Friday, Dec. 16. All letters must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Santa will mail back a personalized letter in time for Christmas. For further information call 541-774-2400 or see playmedford.com. Beekman House Christmas Tour: See how Christmas was celebrated in the late 1800s and learn about holiday tradition origins during guided tours from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 19, at the historic Beekman House, 470 E. California St., Jacksonville. One-hour tours will begin every 20 minutes. Learn the Victorian origins of popular Christmas traditions and about typical Victorian presents the Beekmans exchanged, find the good luck German pickle on the Christmas tree, hear how Clement Moore and Charles Dickens reinvented the holiday and sample one of Mrs. Beekman’s sugar cookies. Also look for “Mrs. Beekman’s Christmas Bazaar,” which has antiques, collectibles, old-fashioned toys, hand-crafts, holiday items and more available for purchase. Admission to the “bazaar” is free. Tickets for the tour are $10, $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Tours are not recommended for children under 6 years, and groups are limited to eight people at a time. You do not need to go on a tour to attend “Mrs. Beekman’s Christmas Bazaar.” For tickets and further information see historicjacksonville.org/victorian-christmas. Proceeds from both the tours and the bazaar go toward maintenance of Jacksonville’s historic buildings, programs and events. For questions call 541-245-3650 or email [email protected]. Selfies with Santa: The Village at Medford Center, 711 Medford Center, Medford, will hold “Selfies with Santa,” from 3 to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas, Dec. 25. There is no cost to attend, but donations are encouraged as the event features a different Santa every week who will be supporting a different local charity. For further information see thevillagemedfordcenter.com or call 310-235-0444. Magical Christmas Murals: Downtown Grants Pass will sparkle with the fiber-optic dazzle of 20 musical Christmas murals and giant nutcrackers through New Year’s Day. The murals weigh 400 pounds each and include sound systems that play the old-fashioned Christmas music. The murals, created by local artisans, are 12 inches thick, 10 feet tall, 5 feet wide and are wired with miles of fiber optic cable and thousands of points of lights. A map of mural locations is available in the downtown welcome center. Winter Soundwalk: Rogue World Music will present their second annual Winter Soundwalk featuring music from cultures around the world relating to the winter season as it guides listeners through the festive downtown Ashland cityscape along a set path of visual installations through Friday, Jan 6. This SoundWalk lasts approximately 40 minutes and is no more than 0.5 miles long. For further details, including the link to stream the music and a map of the soundwalk, see rogueworldmusic.org/soundwalk. Operation Joy: The Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual “Operation Joy,” which invites the community to provide holiday cheer for elderly Community members with a holiday card. Pick up blank holiday cards at the Chamber office, 1995 N.W. Vine St., Grants Pass, along with a resident list, write a cheerful message, and return the completed cards to the chamber before Wednesday, Dec. 21, to be delivered. The chamber asks that writers forgo names and generally address cards as “Dear neighbor” or “Dear Friend.” For further information, email at [email protected] or call 541-226-3101. ‘Christmas on the Air’: Bethel Church at Vista Pointe, 4245 Vista Pointe Dr., Medford, will present a family-friendly Christmas production, “Christmas on the Air.” It’s 1938. A local radio station must juggle their programming amidst difficult headlines, international storm clouds, and the fast approaching Christmas season. With plenty of humor and a cast of quirky characters you’ll find a timeless Christmas message of hope leading us to the heart of Christmas. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9-10. Admission is free. For further information see medfordbethel.com or call 541-779-5771, ext. 302. Studio Roxander’s ‘The Nutcracker Ballet’: Studio Roxander returns to the stage with their annual full-length production of “The Nutcracker.” Guest artists from Philadelphia Ballet include Ashton Roxander and Sydney Dolan (Dec. 16-18 only). Productions are scheduled for 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 9-18, at the Crater Performing Arts Center, 655 N. Third St., Central Point. Tickets are $12-$28. For details and tickets see studioroxander.com or call 541-773-7272. Siskiyou Singers: The choir, conducted by Mark Reppert, will celebrate the group’s 40th anniversary with “Very Merry Mozart,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10-11, in the Music Recital Hall, 450 S. Mountain Ave., at Southern Oregon University, Ashland. The first part of the concert will feature Mozart’s “Coronation Mass” and “Regina Coeli,” performed with full orchestra and soloists. The second half will include a variety of holiday favorites, including Jason Robert Brown’s “Chanukah Suite,” a jazz interpretation of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and a shimmering version of “Silent Night,” arranged by Matthew Culloton. Tickets are $20, $5 for students and Oregon Trail Card holders, and can be purchased at Music Coop or Paddington Station in Ashland, or online at siskiyousingers.org. Breakfast with Santa: Kids and their families can have breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Santo Community Center, 701 N. Columbus Ave., Medford. The event will be held in two sessions — from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., and 10 to 11 a.m. Admission is $6 for ages 16 and older, free for children 12 and younger. Each session is limited to 125 people. For further details call 541-774-2400 or see playmedford.com. Phoenix High School Flea Market: The PHS wrestling team will host a community flea market and craft fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Phoenix High School, 745 N. Rose St., Phoenix. Also look for food trucks and concessions. For further details see phoenix.k12.or.us/Domain/11, email at [email protected] or call 541-535-1526. Talent Library Club Holiday Boutique: Shop for new or gently-used items suitable as gifts, featuring children’s and gift books, toys, knickknacks, and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Talent library, 101 Home St. All proceeds support programming and materials for the Talent library. For further details see jcls.libcal.com or call 541-535-4163. Holiday Sing-Along Uke Jam: Local ukulele instructor Tish McFadden will lead a holiday sing-along and uke jam from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Pebblestone Cellars, 1670 Pioneer Road, Talent. Songbooks available; all acoustic instruments and voices are welcome. Call 541-840-8075. Gold Hill Winterfest: The annual Gold Hill Winter Fest will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the IOOF Hall. This family-friendly event will include snacks and numerous holiday themed activities such as Snowball Toss, Gingerbread Golf, and candle making. For further information, call 541-855-1525. Stillpoint Ballet Company ‘The Nutcracker’: The Stillpoint Ballet Company will present the 31st annual performance of “The Nutcracker Ballet” at the Grants Pass Performing Arts Center, 313 N.E. Olive St., Grants Pass. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 10-18. Tickets for Section A are $20; Section B tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for youth ages 3 to 17, Military members and seniors 62 and older. For further information, see gpnutcracker.org or call 541-476-4641. Pop-up Hanukkah Gift Shop: Stop by for all your Hanukkah needs including candles, menorahs, dreidels, gifts and more from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Friday, Dec. 11-16, at the Chabad of Southern Oregon, 1474 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland. For further information call 541-482-2778. Chanukah Fair: Temple Emek Shalom will host a Chanukah Fair from 10 a.m. to 4p.m.Sunday, Dec. 11, at the temple, 1800 E. Main St., Ashland. Look for gifts, art, dreidels and candles, books and more, plus artisan vendors from the community and a bake sale. For further details see emekshalom.org or call 541-488-2909. Children’s Hanukkah Fair: Chabad of Southern Oregon will host a Children’s Hanukkah Fair from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at Chabad of Southern Oregon, 1474 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland. Kids of all ages can tie-dye beanies, decorate doughnuts, make a menorah, play in a rainbow dreidel playoff, get their groove on in a Hanukkah dance challenge and more. Registration is required. For further information or to register see chabadofashland.org/Chanukah2022 or call 541-482-2778. Children’s Christmas Storytime: Kids ages 3 and older are invited to hear Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s actor, dramaturg, and lecturer, Barry Kraft, read “The Polar Express,” at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Jacksonville library, 340 W. C St. A simple train craft will be offered after the story. For further details see jcls.libcal.com or call 541-899-1665. ‘Holly-Days’: The Holly Theatre, located at 226 W. Sixth St., Medford, will host its third annual “Holly-Days” spectacular from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, with refreshments and live music. The free concert will be held outdoors beneath the Holly’s iconic marquee at Sixth and Holly streets in downtown Medford and feature an array of musical holiday standards performed by members of the North Medford High School band and Rogue Voices. Hot drinks and cookies will be served. The concert will coincide with Medford’s Third Friday Art Walk. For more information see hollytheatre.org or find Holly Theatre on Facebook. Holiday-Themed Haunted Houses: Nightmares on the Rogue Haunted Mines and the Nightmare Chamber will each host a holiday-themed haunted house at 335 N. Front St., and 10 E. Third St., respectively, in Medford. In the Rogue Haunted Mines scare house, join Rogue Mining Co. to explore Santa’s Naughty or Nice Coal Mine. The Nightmare Chamber has been taken over by Krampus who has turned it into his own twisted holiday wonderland. Both haunts run from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16-18, and Thursday and Friday, Dec. 22-23. Tickets are $12 for each haunt, or $20 for a combo ticket to attend both. See nightmaresontherogue.com or nightmarechamber.com, or call 541-414-7059. Hanukkah Faire: The Havurah Synagogue will host their annual Hanukkah Faire, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Havurah Synagogue, 185 N. Mountain Ave., Ashland. Hot potato latkes, a traditional Hanukkah treat, will be for sale with all the trimmings. The festivities include Hanukkah menorah making, beeswax candle rolling, playing the dreidel game and face painting. At approximately 5:45 p.m. Rabbi David Zaslow will lead the communal candle lighting and songs (everyone is invited to bring their own menorah), followed by a Hanukkah story by storyteller, Debra Zaslow. More Hanukkah songs will follow led by Para Rabbi Cyrise Beatty Schachter and the Asiyah Trio. The fair is free and open to all. For further details call 541-488-7716. Southern Oregon Repertory Singers: The choir, led by conductor Paul French, will present their holiday concert, “And the Stars Looked Down,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, in the Music Recital Hall, 450 S. Mountain Ave., at Southern Oregon University, Ashland. The concert will include Rep Singers’ traditional holiday mix of art music and carols, both familiar and unique. There will be music by new composers and by established masters such as John Rutter, Bob Chilcot and Ola Gjeilo. Jodi French’s “Auld Lang Syne” will be reprised by popular request. Tickets are $42-$15, $5 for students and Oregon Trail Card holders. Tickets are available at repsingers.org. For further information call 541-552-0900. Children’s Polar Express Event: Kids can join “The Conductor” as he reads the story, “The Polar Express” Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, 413 W. Main St., Medford. This special event also includes hot chocolate, cookie decorating, crafts, activities and more. “Boarding” times are in 2-hour slots between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for children, $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at tcmso.org, or in-person at the museum. For further details see tcmso.org or call 541-772-9922. Ashland Hanukkah Celebration: The Chabad Jewish Center of Southern Oregon will hold their 19th annual Hanukkah celebration on the first night of Hanukkah beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Plaza in downtown Ashland. Events begin with the ceremony of lighting of a 10-foot menorah. The festivities will include local dignitaries, the Great Chocolate Coin Drop, live music, latkes and doughnuts for sale, singing of traditional Hanukkah songs and more. This event will be held regardless of weather conditions. For further information see chabadofashland.org/Chanukah2022 or call 541-482-2778. Grants Pass Hanukkah Party: The Chabad Jewish Center of Southern Oregon will hold their annual Hanukkah celebration at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the Redwood Grange, 1830 Redwood Ave., Grants Pass. Events begin with the ceremony of lighting a 10-foot menorah. The festivities will include local dignitaries, live music, latkes and doughnuts for sale, singing of traditional Hanukkah songs and more. This event will be held regardless of weather conditions. For further information see chabadofashland.org/Chanukah2022 or call 541-482-2778. Medford Hanukkah Celebration: The Chabad Jewish Center of Southern Oregon will hold their annual Hanukkah celebration at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, in downtown’s Vogel Plaza, at the corner of Central Avenue and Main Street. Events begin with the ceremony of lighting a 10-foot menorah. The festivities will include local dignitaries, live music, latkes and doughnuts for sale, singing of traditional Hanukkah songs and more. This event will be held regardless of weather conditions. For further information see chabadofashland.org/Chanukah2022 or call 541-482-2778. New York Jewish Pop Up Deli: The Chabad Jewish Center will hold a pop-up New York-style deli from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21-22, at the Chabad Center, 1474 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland. Authentic New York deli classics such as pastrami sandwiches will be served along with latkes and doughnuts. Also look for Hanukkah music, games of dreidel and lighting of the menorah at 6 p.m. Other menu items include matzah ball soup and kugel. For further information see chabadofashland.org/Chanukah2022 or call 541-482-2778. Tomaseen Foley’s ‘A Celtic Christmas’: For more than 20 years, native Irishman (and Talent resident) Tomáseen Foley has brought his unique brand of storytelling magic to captivate holiday theatergoers in packed houses throughout the U.S. With warmth and humor, he and a dazzling tribe of world-class performers carry audiences back in time to a wintry night in an Irish “rambling house” where traditional song, dance, music and stories bring a community together for one wondrous evening. You don’t have to be Irish to appreciate this moving and intimate show that reminds us all of the power and joy of the ancient art of storytelling. This holiday treasure is set for 3 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. Tickets are $32, $35, $32, and $22, $25, $28 for ages 22 and younger. Tickets and information are available at craterian.org, at the box office, 16 S. Bartlett St., or by calling 541-779-3000. Last Night Hanukkah Celebration: The Chabad Jewish Center of Southern Oregon will celebrate the last night of Hanukkah at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, at the Plaza in downtown Ashland, by lighting up the entire 10-foot menorah. Festivities also include live music, latkes and doughnuts for sale, singing of traditional Hanukkah songs and more. This event will be held regardless of weather conditions. For further information see chabadofashland.org/Chanukah2022 or call 541-482-2778. Holiday Open House at Hanley Farm: Take a step back in time as costumed docents guide you through the Hanley home and bring history to life with holiday tales and stories about Southern Oregon Historical Society’s Hanley family and farm during this annual event. The historic farmhouse will be decorated and open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, at 1053 Hanley Road, Central Point. For reservations, tickets and further information see sohs.org, call 541-773-6536 or email at [email protected]. Straight No Chaser: The 25th-anniversary celebration of the male a cappella group Straight No Chaser, formed at Indiana University during the 1996-97 school year, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 30, at the Craterian Theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. The program features a mix of holiday staples, R&B smooth jams and stadium anthems with swagger and spirit. The group has sold more than three million albums, earned two gold albums, garnered more than a billion streams, and sold more than 1.5 million concert tickets worldwide. Tickets and information are available at craterian.org, at the box office, 16 S. Bartlett St., or by calling 541-779-3000. NYE Concert: A New Year’s Eve concert will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, 1615 Clark Ave, Ashland. The concert will feature pianists Joseph Yungen and Laurie Anne Hunter, singers Shelly Cox-Thornhill, Jennifer Matsuura and Brandt Nakamura, flutist Debra Harris, violinist Kathleen Strahm and cellist Michal Palzewicz. Donations are accepted at the door. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. For further details call 541-482-3536. Community Labyrinth Walk: Ashland’s free 24th Community Labyrinth Walk to the New Year will be held from 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, to 1 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, in Wesley Hall at Ashland First United Methodist Church, 175 N. Main St., Ashland. Dorita Borgeson will present a special program for children at 2 p.m. Sunday. Six alters will be dedicated to the four directions as well as the divine feminine and the divine masculine. This year there will be two additional altars: one honoring childhood, and an interactive altar honoring community. Members of the public are invited to contribute small objects, pictures, and items from nature to adorn the community altar. At 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, Elizabeth Austin, professionally trained labyrinth facilitator and owner of the portable canvas, will provide an opportunity to learn about labyrinths and to assist in the unfolding of the three-piece, four-quadrant 110-lb. canvas replica of the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France. All welcome; donations accepted. For further information email at [email protected] or call 541-482-4132.