Things to do this 10 holiday season
A holiday tradition for many families is driving around and looking at Christmas lights.
Porter County Parks and Recreation aims to help with that holiday checklist item with its free Winter Lights DriveThrough, which returns to Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso Nov. 19-Jan. 1.
The display has been going on for a couple of decades, said Porter County Parks and Recreation communications coordinator Erik Prokop. The displays are sponsored by area businesses.
“The thing that changes mostly from year to year for the display is our sponsorships,” he said. “We have our sponsorships come in and they decorate trees along the drive before you get into the lights display itself. It’s a nice bunch of Christmas trees.” The display has music playing as well. Toys for Tots will be out on Nov. 19.
“You can donate toys or cash if you wish. It’s a really cool event,” he said. “Last year, Toys for Tots made more money than they ever had before. It’s really good for them and it’s really good for us. It’s a good way to give back to the community.”
The event is a good for families and anyone looking to get into the holiday mood, he said.
“It’s a good family-building, fun time and it’s a five-minute drive through the park,” he said. “It’s a good way to support us and it’s a good way to get out and see some Christmas lights and get into the holiday spirit.”
Here are some more holiday events in Northwest Indiana.
1. Winter Lights Drive-Through: 4:3010 p.m. Nov. 19-Jan. 1 at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Road, Valparaiso. Tickets: free. 219-465-3586; portercountyparks.org/winterlights.
The Winter Lights display is free for guests to drive on a paved loop around the park.
2. Christmas Tyme Lights: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 25-27 and Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-23; 5-8 p.m. Dec. 26-30 at Harvest Tyme Family Farm, 17904 Grant St., Lowell. Tickets: $25-$30 per vehicle. 219-440-2386; harvesttymefun.com/christmas-tymelights.
The route is over a mile long with twinkling lights and favorite seasonal characters. Santa will be stationed at the entrance (weather permitting) to take your Christmas wish list. Hot chocolate and treats will be sold weekends, weather permitting. Tickets must be reserved online.
3. “Ken Ludwig’s Night Before Christmas:” 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays (except Nov. 27) Nov. 25-Dec. 18; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 at Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W. Chicago St., Valparaiso. Tickets: $20-$22. 219-4641636; chicagostreet.org.
Recommended for audiences ages 3 to 13, this sweet tale about the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf and a spunky little girl hope to light up the holidays.
4. Santa Trains: Saturdays 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays Nov. 26-Dec. 17 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum,
507 Mulberry St., North Judson. Tickets: $14-$20. 574-896-3950; hoosiervalley.org.
Guests will ride in a vintage commuter coach through the countryside from North Judson to the small town of English Lake and back. During the trip, passengers can visit with Santa and each child will receive a gift from Santa.
5. Marie Osmond: 9 p.m. Eastern time Nov. 26 at Four Winds Casino, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. Tickets: $69-$89. 866-494-6371; fourwindscasino. com.
Marie Osmond’s “A Symphonic Christmas Tour” stops at the Four Winds Casino to spread Yuletide cheer. Backed by a full orchestra, the legendary singer performs seasonal favorites as well as her own hits.
6. stop. drop. rewind. Saves Christmas: 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Front Porch Music, 505 Lincolnway, Valparaiso. Tickets: ses website. 219-464-4700; bandsintown.com/ and search stop.drop.rewind.
The Northwest Indiana-based band, which combines pop-punk, jazz and progressive rock, performs the eighth
annual Christmas show.
7. “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderland:” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3 and 8-10 and 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and 11 at Footlight Theatre, 1705 Franklin St., Michigan City, Indiana. Tickets: $12-$17. 219-8744035; footlightplayers.org.
Footlight Players presents a Midwest premiere and sendup of the never-ending Hallmark Channel holiday movies. Six cute couples go through the basic pattern of Sad Situation, Meet Cute, Goes Wrong, Grand Gesture and Happy Ending with narrators helping to move the action along.
8. “A Fabulous ’50s Christmas:” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Dec. 2-18 at Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave., Hammond. Tickets: $21. 219-9378780; towletheater.org/fab50s.
This family-friendly show is a tribute to the Perry Como/Andy Williams TV Christmas specials from yesteryear. Audiences will hear all the classic holiday songs.
9. “Elf, the Musical, Jr.”: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Dec.
9-18 at the Memorial Opera House, 104 E.
Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. Tickets: $21-$23. 219-548-9137; memorialoperahouse.com.
Based on hit film, “Elf the Musical, Jr.,” follows the journey of Buddy the Elf, a human who grows up in the North Pole. When he goes to New York City and finds his birth father, he discovers he’s on the naughty list. Buddy is determined to win over his new family and save Christmas for New York at the same time.
10. A Boy Band Christmas: 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue, at 5400 West 29th Ave., Gary. Tickets: $34.50-$74. 219-2282383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana. com.
A Boy Band Christmas features Jeff Timmons, Drew Lachey and Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees; Jamie Jones from A-4-One, Erik-Michael Estrada from O-Town and Ryan Cabrera presenting an evening of classic holiday songs, unforgettable hits and good cheer.