Whether you're looking for special holiday shopping opportunities, iconic Christmas traditions like Victorian Christmas or the Martinsville Cookie Stroll, holiday lights, relatively new events like the Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular, fun workshops, or just some live music to enjoy, we've got your covered in the month of December. Find out what's on tap this month in Morgan County with this list of upcoming events, and don't forget we're always adding new events to our calendar, so check back often!
Taps on the Square - Every Friday
Join Spirit of '45 and the Martinsville American Legion Riders as they honor our American heroes each Friday evening, rain or shine (or snow). Each Friday at 6:50 pm, names are read of those American service men and women, Rosie the Riveters, law enforcement and firefighters that have been lost, followed immediately by a live, echoing performance of Taps by multiple buglers stationed at points around the courthouse square. Taps on the Square is performed at the 7th bell.
Holiday Candy Cane Pours - every Saturday
Join the Martinsville Candy Kitchen for holiday season candy cane pours. Watch them transform sugar and flavoring into holiday magic in this traditional process. Candy canes are hand-pulled and packaged up for purchase. (There are usually free samples for those who come to watch!) Candy canes will be made every Saturday, and keep an eye on their Facebook page for additional pour times. They've got weekday pour times this year, too - Monday through Friday at approximately 1:30 and 4:30 pm.
Live Music on Saturdays
Hoosier Que at Foxcliff Golf Club hosts life music each Saturday evening, beginning at 6 pm. Stop by to enjoy great food, including their amazing smashburgers, along with great music featuring different local and regional performers each week.
Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights - Nightly through New Year's Day
The holiday lights at Jimmy Nash City Park remain lit each night through New Year's Day! Swing by while you're in town for a drive through the lower loop of the park to enjoy the Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights, or park and walk around to enjoy the ambiance. There are photo ops as well - be sure to get a photo in Santa's sleigh! *Please note: the park now closes at 9 pm. The automatic gate will allow you to leave after 9 pm but you cannot drive into the park after that time.
Mooresville Christmas Light Tour - Dec. 1-31
Don't miss the second year of the Mooresville Christmas Light Tour in Mooresville! Between Dec. 1 and 31, come enjoy the lights on display at participating area homes and businesses, then vote for your favorites! Voting is online via Google form. Maps will be available online at mooresvillelights.com beginning Dec. 1.
Camp Holly Jolly Pajama Party - Dec. 2, 3 & 5
Brickhouse on Main will host their fun Holly Jolly Party again this year, with three dates - Dec. 2, 3 & 5. This fun event features visits with Santa, craft stations, reindeer games and more! Reserve your tickets early. This year's theme is a pajama party.
MartinselFest Concert - Dec. 5 & 6
Enjoy a fun and festive evening of holiday music featuring some of your favorites, performed by the talented students of the Martinsville High School Music Program. Performances will take place on December 5 and 6, beginning at 7 pm at the Martinsville High School Auditorium.
Indiana Rail Road Santa Train - Dec. 6
The Indiana Rail Road's Santa Train returns this year with a stop in Morgantown at approximately 5:30 pm on Friday, December 6. The train stops behind the Morgantown Fire Department on Highland Street and kids will be able to snap a photo in front of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a touchless experience. Mail your letter directly to Santa via the INRD North Pole Express Mailbox while you're there! Train will depart for the next stop at 7 pm.
Downtown Mooresville Tree Lighting - Dec. 6
Mooresville will light up this year's community Christmas Tree at Bicentennial Park at the corner of Indiana and Main Streets on the evening of Dec. 6. There will be music and more to help celebrate the event, beginning at 6 pm with the tree lighting at approximately 7 pm. This is the kickoff event for the Victorian Christmas weekend in Mooresville!
5 East Christmas Market - Dec. 6 & 7
Join 5 East in Mooresville on Friday and Saturday, for a Christmas themed vendor market. Stop in and shop local artisans and crafters for those perfect holiday gifts. Hours are Friday from 6-8 pm and Saturday during Victorian Christmas from 10 am to 4 pm.
A Christmas Carol - Dec. 6-14
The Horizon Hillside Theatre Company present the holiday classic A Christmas Carol in a fun, immersive experience at Harris Glen in Mooresville. Harris Glen is a gorgeous English-style venue, the perfect setting for the holiday tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghosts of Christmas. Book your tickets now! Performances will take place on Dec. 6-7 and 13-14 at 7 pm, plus a matinee performance on Dec. 14.
Martinsville Light Tour - Dec. 6-31
Beginning on December 6, the newest self-guided light tour in the area will come online, highlighting holiday lights in the greater Martinsville area. Get the map and get out and explore the beauty of holiday light displays! Map available at martinsvillelightour.com.
Victorian Christmas Celebration - Dec. 7
Join Mooresville for their annual holiday tradition - the Victorian Christmas Celebration. With several stops throughout town, including several craft and vendor booth options - both indoor and outside - plus live entertainment and so much more. Watch for wandering characters - you may encounter Father Christmas... or maybe even Ebenezer Scrooge! Hours are 10 am to 4 pm.
Mooresville's Rock n Roll Connection: Bobby Helms - Dec. 7
The Mooresville Public Library's series of Bicentennial presentations continues with a look at the Mooresville connection to Bobby Helms, of Jingle Bell Rock fame. The program begins at 2 pm and all ages are welcome. No admission and no reservations necessary.
Jingle Belles, Mistletoes & Hot Cocoa - Dec. 7
Join Sidney & Girlfriends Nail & Day Spa for a fun holiday event specifically for "belles or beaux" age 12 and younger! Participants will be pampered with a mistletoe pedicure, hairstyle, and light makeup application or temporary holiday tattoo, plus a tasty cocoa bar and visit with Santa! Participants will receive a gift from the big guy in red, and parents are welcome to take photos as well. The fun begins at 3 pm. Reserve your space early! Cost is $55.
Bethlehem Walk - Dec. 7
Martinsville's Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will again host their fun and meaningful Bethlehem Walk event on Saturday, Dec. 7. Tickets are free, but required as the event is operated via specific time slots. Reserve yours online before you go.
Martinsville High School Madrigal Dinner - Dec. 7 & 9
Join the talented students of Martinsville High School's Choir program for their annual Madrigal Dinner to celebrate the holidays. This event has expanded to two dates to allow for additional participants, as seats are limited. Start time is 6 pm on both evenings at the Art Sanctuary of Indiana. Tickets available online at artesianfinearts.ludus.com.
Eminence Tree Lighting - Dec. 7
The first-ever Christmas Tree Lighting in Eminence will take place on Saturday, December 7, beginning at 7 pm. Enjoy the festivities, followed by cookies, hot cocoa and visits with Santa at the A&A Townships Volunteer Fire Station.
Speakeasy Soiree: Big Easy Style - Dec. 7
Cedar Creek Winery & Brew Co will once again host this amazing, 1920's themed holiday party! This year's event will have a New Orleans flavor. Make sure you get your tickets early. They sold out last year and you don't want to miss this event - it's the Bee's knees, as they say!
Temporary Ice Skating Rink - Dec. 7 & 8
Courtesy of the Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular planning committee, don't miss your chance for some outdoor winter fun on the temporary, synthetic ice rink that will magically appear on Jefferson Street for two evenings of ice skating! Hours will be Saturday from 4 to 8 pm and Sunday from 3 to 8 pm. No charge to skate! Vendors will be on hand as well.
Holiday Film: Elf - Dec. 7
Join the Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular planning committee for an outdoor screening of the holiday classic Elf (please dress accordingly)! Movie starts at dusk at The Venue on Jefferson Street. Food and drink vendors on site.
Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular & Tree Lighting - Dec. 8
This fun event will feature live music from the band featuring the son and grandson of Bobby Helms, a trackless train ride for the kids, downtown carriage rides, a life-sized snow globe, characters like The Grinch and Whos from Whoville, and of course the tree lighting at approximately 7:15 pm. The Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Music Spectacular and Christmas Tree Lighting begins at 3 pm on Sunday, Dec. 8 in downtown Martinsville.
Live Music: Ruben Guthrie - Dec. 8
Cedar Creek Winery & Brew Co welcomes Ruben Guthrie for live music in the Tap Room on Sunday, December 8. Music begins at 2 pm. No admission charge and all ages are welcome. On site eatery will be open as well.
Martinsville Community Band: The Christmas Express Concert - Dec. 9
Join the Martinsville Community Band on Monday, Dec. 9 at the First Baptist Church on Columbus Street in Martinsville for their annual Christmas Concert! This is a free event, but donations are accepted. Come enjoy the music of the holiday season! This year's theme is The Christmas Express.
Martinsville Community Choir Winter Concert - Dec. 10
Join the Martinsville Community Choir for a fun evening of Christmas music on Dec. 10 at the Art Sanctuary of Indiana. Music begins at 7 pm. This is a free event but donations are accepted. All ages welcome.
Indiana Wind Symphony - Dec. 11
Join the Morgan County Community Concerts Association for a fun holiday performance from the Indiana Wind Symphony. This ensemble is a crowd pleaser with a family-friendly format. This show will explore familiar holiday treasures from Irving Berlin to the Carpenters. Performance will take place at the Mooresville High School Auditorium beginning at 7 pm on Dec. 11.
Cookies with Santa at Jimmy Nash Park - Dec. 13
Come enjoy cookies with Santa at Jimmy Nash Park on Friday, December 13. Santa will be there from 6 to 7 pm at Shelter #1. Participants will be able to visit with Santa and decorate their own cookie. This event is free and open to all, but please do RSVP so they can plan accordingly.
Open Studios & Live Music - Dec. 13
Join the resident artists at the Art Sanctuary of Indiana for their monthly Open Studios Night. Browse locally-created works of art, talk with artists, check out the studio spaces where they create and more! Stop in between 6:00 and 8:30 pm on Friday, Dec.13. Don't miss live music performances in the lower gallery during the event!
Martinsville Cookie Stroll - Dec. 14
This holiday tradition is all about the cookies! Well, and the live entertainment, holiday shopping and overall festive atmosphere! Okay, maybe it's not all about the cookies, but they are pretty awesome. Head for Downtown Martinsville for the annual Martinsville Cookie Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 14 for a day of fun for the whole family. Tickets are available online, but keep in mind you get a cookie at each of the 25+ stops, so you may want to share the riches with friends or family. Don't forget to stop by the Morgan County History Center to drop off your letter to Santa! Find more details about the Cookie Stroll on our recent blog post.
Meet artist Rhett Whittington - Dec. 14
Krypton Comics is at it again - bringing another awesome artist to town for you to meet! On Saturday, December 14, meet artist Rhett Whittington and get one of his beautiful limited edition prints inspired by Martinsville at Christmas time!
The Nutcracker - Dec. 9
Join the talented students of Studio J2 Dance for their annual production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker on Cookie Stroll Day! This year's performance has been moved to the Martinsville High School Auditorium to allow for more spectators. Make sure to plan your day with this in mind, as the performance takes place at 5:30 pm. Admission is a canned good for a local food pantry.
Farmers' Market's Holiday Market - Dec. 14
The Morgan County Farmers Market will host their annual Holiday Market in conjunction with the Martinsville Cookie Stroll on Dec. 14. Stop in to browse the booths. You'll find a wide variety of handmade gift items, plus local meat, produce, jams and jellies and more.
Santa in the Park - Dec. 14
Bring the kids to Old Town Waverly Park for the annual Santa in the Park event! This fun day features photos with Santa inside the historic bank building, traditional arts demonstrations including blacksmithing, live Christmas music, hands on crafts, a meet and greet with the Grinch, and so much more. The fun begins at 11 am.
Workshop: Begin Your Family Tree Research - Dec. 14
The Morgan County Library and the local chapter of the DAR will host a Genealogy Workshop, focused on beginning your family tree research. This session will also be useful for those continuing an existing research project. Come learn how to discover the secrets of your family tree! Workshop will take place at 10:30 am on December 14.
Blue Eyes & Grey Skies Band Holiday Concert - Dec. 15
Popular local band Blue Eyes & Grey Skies will host a benefit Holiday Concert at River Valley Christian Church in Martinsville on December 15, beginning at 1 pm. Admission will be donations that will benefit the Desert Rose Foundation.
Breakfast with Santa - Dec. 15
On Saturday morning, December 15, Jimmy Nash City Park will host Breakfast with Santa, beginning at 9 am. Participants will enjoy a breakfast donut (plus supplies to decorate it), a side of fruit, and a drink of their choice. Bring your camera! In addition to visits with Santa, the park offers lots of fun holiday backgrounds for impromptu family photos! Cost is $10 per person.
