History Center welcomes Santa
Santa will be in the Gnaw Bone Cabin Room at the Brown County History Center to meet children from noon to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and 9. The History Center is at 90 E. Gould St. downtown.
Tree lighting to take place at History Center
The Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St., will have its annual tree lighting ceremony outside at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24.
Santa will attend; music and light refreshments will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.
Holiday art/craft show returns to The Seasons
The Seasons Holiday Art and Craft Show will take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24 and 25 at The Seasons Lodge and Conference Center, 560 State Road 46 East.
This is a juried show that has been going on for more than 40 years. Admission to visitors is free. Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Goods include metal jewelry, handmade baskets, primitive paintings, soaps, mosaic and stained glass, knitted clothing, wood burning and scroll work, handmade candles, scherenschnitte (paper-cutting), handmade quilts, comforters, rag rugs, wooden toys, ceramics, foot jewelry, decorative clothing, wooden hand-painted Christmas decorations as well as fresh pine wreaths and swags sold by the Brown County 4-H Club. The center is handicapped-accessible.
Guests can vote for their favorite exhibitor for the People’s Choice Award. The winning artist or crafter will receive a cash prize. Cash prizes also will be given for best 2-D and 3-D work.
Breakfast, brunch and lunch are available for purchase. For more information, visit seasonsartandcraftshow.com or call 812-350-9236.
Watch ‘Believe, A Brown County Christmas’
A live holiday show featuring Christmas songs, Broadway classics and some comedy will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. The show will be at the Brown County Playhouse on the following dates: Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22 and 23.
For more information or tickets, visit browncountyplayhouse.org or call 812-988-6555.
Thanksgiving service with meal planned at church
SPRUNICA — A Thanksgiving service with special music will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26 at Sprunica Baptist Church. A free meal will be served afterward at the church, 3902 Sprunica Road. The public is welcome.
To sing a specific song, call Sheryl Priddy at 812-327-8473.
Photo ops with Santa at eXplore Brown County
VAN BUREN TWP. — EXplore Brown County offers zip line tours ending with cocoa and time with Santa from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but Tuesdays from Dec. 1 through 23.
Santa will zip along or be in the Harvest Hall, 2620 Valley Branch Road. Admission costs vary. Call 812-988-7750 for more information or reservations.
Indiana Rail Road Santa Train coming to town
HELMSBURG — The Indiana Rail Road Co. will bring Santa, Mrs. Claus and a train full of storybook characters to Morgantown and Helmsburg to visit with local children Friday, Dec. 1.
The Santa Train is due to arrive at the tracks by the Morgantown fire station at 6:30 p.m. The line will close at 7:30 p.m.
The train is scheduled to roll into the Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road, at 8:30 p.m. The line to see Santa will close at 9:30 p.m.
In addition to hearing children’s wishes, Santa Train volunteers deliver donated winter clothing to children who need it. To support the clothing delivery program, make checks payable to Indiana Rail Road with “Santa Train” in the memo line and mail to INRD, Attn. Nancy Herman, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
Reindeer Romp races to take place in park
The Reindeer Romp, an 8K run or a 5K run/walk, will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Brown County State Park Nature Center.
To register or for more information, visit indianatiming.com/IndianaTiming-RaceCalendar.html or call the YMCA at 812-988-9622.
Stuff a stocking, watch a movie downtown
Children are invited to follow a map to more than 25 Brown County merchants to gather treats, ornaments and toys from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
Christmas stockings will be provided by the Brown County Community Foundation. Advance tickets, $20 presale or $25 the day of the event, are required. Buy tickets and get more information at browncountygives.org/bcgives/stuff-a-stocking.
A showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” rated PG, is included in the event. It starts at 1 p.m. at the Brown County Playhouse. For those not enrolled in the Stuff-a-Stocking event, the movie costs $6 for adults and $5 for children. For more information on the movie, visit browncountyplayhouse.org.
Spend an afternoon painting with Santa
Children and adults can create an acrylic-on-canvas painting with Santa at an event at Creekside Retreat. Brown County artist Amanda Mathis will instruct participants from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2450 State Road 46 East. Refreshments will be served.
Admission is $50 for two people or $30 for individuals. To make a reservation (required), call 812-200-3157.
Come watch, participate in Holiday Light Parade
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Light Parade will step off at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 in downtown Nashville.
The chamber is looking for people to bring floats, tractors, antique cars, motorcycles, and anything or anyone wrapped in lights to be in the parade.
The entry fee, for each participant, is a donation of a new, unwrapped toy (no stuffed animals).
Those watching the parade also are asked to bring toys to donate. Toys can be dropped off at one of many donation sites throughout the village, at The Salvation Army of Brown County, 168 S. Jefferson St., or with chamber members before and during the parade. All donations will be distributed to needy Brown County families.
Parade entrants should gather in the street next to Brown County High School at 5 p.m.
The parade will take place regardless of weather.
One official Santa will be in the parade; to avoid small children becoming confused, parade participants are asked to not include other live Santas.
To be in the parade, register online beforehand at TheBrownCountyChamber.org/lightparade or call chamber member Larry Hanson at 317-418-7771.
Have breakfast with Santa at Brown County Inn
The Brown County Inn will host a breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3.
Drawings for gifts and a hot chocolate bar are included with breakfast at the inn, 51 State Road 46 East.
The cost is $10.75 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 to 11 and free for children younger than 5.
Reservations are recommended; call 812-988-2291.
Steele’s Country Christmas celebration planned
BELMONT — T.C. Steele State Historic Site will open a decorated Studio to friends and neighbors for its annual holiday celebration, Steeles’ Country Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 3.
From 1 to 2:30 p.m., children and families can visit and get photos with St. Nicholas and Belsnickel. From 2:30 to 3:30, they can decorate a Christmas card and hear holiday jazz music performed by 2 Daves. Cookies and mulled cider will be served.
The event is free with regular site admission ($7 for adults, $60 for seniors 60 and older, $4 for kids 3 to 17 and free for kids younger than 3), and includes a tour of the historic buildings. Families can receive a special discount rate. Members of the Indiana State Museum and the Friends of T.C. Steele are admitted free.
The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of T.C. Steele State Historic Site Inc., Kroger and the Nashville General Store and Bakery.
For more information, visit tcsteele.org/programs or call 812-988-2785.
Annual Christmas dinner at History Center
The Brown County History Center will host its annual Christmas dinner in the Grand Hall at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4.
The dinner will be catered by Kevin Ault. Sounds of Indiana, a barbershop chorus from Bloomington, will provide entertainment. The Abe Martin Award will be given to a historical society member who has made an extraordinary contribution to the society during the year.
Tickets are $17. Reserve by calling 812-988-2899 or 812-988-4852.
Celtic prayers, services planned for Advent
BEAN BLOSSOM — Celtic services for Advent are planned at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, at St. David’s Episcopal Church, state roads 135 North and 45.
Adrienne Shipley will provide piano, organ and harpsichord music. Services will include reflection, meditation, candle lighting and prayers.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 812-988-1038.
Creekside to host holiday open house
From 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, Creekside Retreat, 2450 State Road 46 East, will host a free open house.
The event includes rides on the Nashville Express Holiday Train, photo ops and visits with Santa and the Grinch, cookie decorating, and s’mores and other refreshments around firepits.
Victorian holiday dinners served at inn
STORY — Victorian-themed holiday dinners will be served at Story Inn Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 8-23, and Sundays, Dec. 10 and 17.
Meals will be served by staff dressed in authentic Victorian garb and will be illuminated exclusively with candles and oil lamps.
Dinner hours are between 5 and 8:30 p.m.
Traditional Christmas music will be played on the piano. Singing is encouraged.
For information or reservations, visit storyinn.com/upcoming-events or call 812-988-2273.
Santa will read to tots at bookstore
Santa will read stories and hear Christmas wishes at Fables and Fairy Tales on Saturday, Dec. 9.
The store is at 59 E. Main St., Suite G. Santa will visit from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and will give a small treat to each child.
Photo ops with St. Nick that day will benefit active Marines via the Morgan County Marine Corp League. The first military family to visit the shop Dec. 9 will receive a complimentary copy of the book, “52 Weeks of Cookies.” All military families will receive a 25 percent discount on all merchandise.
Shop hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, stop by the shop, email [email protected], or call 812-200-1317.
Get tickets for Christmas music sing-along
The popular Christmas Music Sing-Along will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East.
Kara Barnard, Chuck Wills and Cari Ray will lead the program.
Tickets, $12 for adults and $10 for students, are available at Weed Patch Music, The Wild Olive, the Brown County Inn, the Visitors Center and online at browncountychristmas.com.
Help document bird species at state park
Volunteers are welcome to canvass areas of the state park to estimate the numbers and kinds of birds spending the holidays in Brown County.
The bird count starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Brown County State Park Nature Center. Beginner birders are welcome. Bring binoculars.
The park entry fee applies.
Have Breakfast with Santa at state park lodge
Santa will be present for breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Abe Martin Lodge inside Brown County State Park.
Breakfast prices range from $6.99 to $11.99.
For information or reservations, call 812-988-4418.
Circus, magic shows at The Playhouse
The Brown County Playhouse will host illusionist Rich Hill’s World of Magic holiday show at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27.
The family-friendly show includes guest artists with the Crescent Circus from New Orleans performing a blend of juggling, balancing and illusion.
Tickets are $22.50 per adult and $19.50 for students, seniors or the military. For more information, visit browncountyplayhouse.org or call 812-988-6555.
Chamber sponsors holiday ‘passport’ for shoppers
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce’s holiday season “passport” program runs through Jan. 7.
Visitors and locals can pick up a passport at a participating business (look for signs) and get them stamped with the amount spent there. When completed, passports can be dropped off at designated locations and be entered into a drawing for prizes each week. Prizes include gift certificates from participating businesses, overnight stays, entertainment and restaurant bucks.
Everyone who completes a passport will be eligible to win the grand prize of $500 cash and a Brown County getaway for two, which will be drawn at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10 on Facebook Live.
Passport holders also can vote for winners in the chamber’s holiday window/storefront decorating contest, with cash prizes and a plaque awarded.
A list of participating businesses is posted at browncountypassport.com.
