Schools to perform winter concerts in town
Brown County schools will perform winter concerts at the high school auditorium, 235 Schoolhouse Lane, as follows:
- 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 — Van Buren Elementary (kindergarten through second grade), with singing, dancing, musical instruments and acting.
- 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 — High school band (grades nine through 12)
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12 — High school choir (grades nine through 12)
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 — Junior high band/choir
- 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 — Intermediate school band/choir
- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 — Helmsburg Elementary (kindergarten through second grade)
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 — Sprunica Elementary (kindergarten through second grade)
All concerts are open to the public. The elementary school concerts are free. The high school band and choir will accept concert donations to support their music programs. The junior high concert costs $4 per adult or $1 per student.
Make Christmas gifts at inn’s art party
An “Art with a Twist” party will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 at Lil Black Bear Inn, 8072 State Road 46 West.
Participants will learn to create three pendants with alcohol-based inks with an experienced artist from Tri-State Artisans. The event costs $30.
For more information or to register, visit events.tsartisans.com/columbus or call 812-988-2233.
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 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. The History Center is at 90 E. Gould St. downtown.
Bring kids, pets to get photos with Santa
Boots N’ Bling will host Santa from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23. Children and pets are welcome to pose with Santa and can choose from some photo props and costumes, or bring their own. Staff will email or text photos to people free of charge.
Santa will give treats to children, and letters to Santa will be accepted.
The store asks for either pet food donations or monetary donations, which will be split between the Brown County and Johnson County animal shelters.
The store is at 225 S Van Buren St., Suite D.
For more information, call 317-474-7887 or stop by the store.
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: Dec. 8-10, 15-17, 22 and 23.
For more information or tickets, visit browncountyplayhouse.org or call 812-988-6555.
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 through Dec. 23.
Santa will zip along with guests or be in the Harvest Hall, 2620 Valley Branch Road. Admission costs vary. Call 812-988-7750 for more information or reservations.
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 to 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.
Community band gives free Christmas concert
The Brown County Community Band will present a free Christmas Concert at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 in the Brown County High School auditorium.
The concert will include a variety of holiday and Christmas music, including a sing-a-long and a visit from Santa. Light refreshments will be served in the cafeteria afterward.
In case of inclement weather, the concert date will be moved to Dec. 16.
With questions, visit browncountycommunityband.com or call 812-988-7419.
Holiday craft bazaar to benefit cheer squad
Desserts, handmade items and more than 40 vendors will be at the Brown County High School cafeteria for a holiday craft bazaar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.
Proceeds will benefit the local Diamonds Competition Cheer Squad.
County Democrats to host Christmas party
The Brown County Democratic Party will host a savory soups-and-sweets-themed Christmas party from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 in the County Office Building, 201 Locust Lane.
Butternut squash, chili, and broccoli cheddar soups with fixings will be served along with cookies, pies and sweets. There will be plenty, but bring a favorite if you like.
A collection box for Mother’s Cupboard will be set out for nonperishable food items.
The event is free, and all are welcome.
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.
Genealogical group hosts Christmas party
The Brown County Genealogical Society will host a Christmas party from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Brown County Public Library.
The event will include roundtable discussions on free, online genealogical resources and how to organize genealogical material.
Guests are welcome to bring snacks or desserts to share.
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.
Children’s giving party planned at Episcopal church
BEAN BLOSSOM — A children’s Christmas giving party will take place at St. David’s Episcopal Church from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.
Children of all ages can make and wrap gifts for family members and other children throughout the world. Cookie decorating will also be available. A light lunch and snacks will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
The church is at the intersection of state roads 135 North and 45. For more information, call Donna Niednagel at 812-988-6865.
Food, games, puppets at church Christmas party
BEAN BLOSSOM — From 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Bean Blossom Community Church will host a free Christmas party for kids ages 4 to 10. The party includes food, games, music, puppets, prizes and a photo booth.
Pre-registration is required. Visit beanblossomchurch.com/christmasparty, call Jenny at 812-318-8695 or register from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. prior to the party at the church, 5046 State Road 135 North.
Hear classical guitar concert at local church
The Bloomington Classical Guitar Society Ensemble will perform its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Brown County Presbyterian Fellowship, 602 State Road 135 North.
A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Holiday cookies, cocoa will be served at library
Brown County Public Library will host a holiday celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
The event at 205 N. Locust Lane is free and open to the public. With questions, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Church service for those with holiday blues
Nashville United Methodist Church will host a non-denominational Christian service, The Longest Night, especially for people feeling sad at Christmas.
It will take place Thursday, Dec. 21 at the church, 36 S. Jefferson St.
“Sharing the experience with others can help,” said an email from the Rev. Mary Cartwright. “A time of quiet reflection, beautiful music and acknowledging heartache can lift one’s sense of burden and is a reminder that the birth of Jesus is first and foremost a sign of hope in the midst of a dark world.”
Quiet music will begins at 6:30 p.m.; the service will begin at 7 p.m.
With questions, call the church office at 812-988-4666 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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.
