Annual auction to aid local kids, families
The annual Brown County Children’s Christmas Auction will take place from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Dec. 1, at Out of the Ordinary restaurant downtown.
Those who attend can bid on items donated by local artists, merchants and residents. All proceeds are used to buy clothing and food vouchers for Brown County children in need.
To donate an item to be auctioned, drop it off at PNC Bank, 37 W. Main St. in Nashville or at Out of the Ordinary, 61 S. Van Buren St. downtown.
Holiday open house at antique mall
A holiday open house will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Brown County Antique Mall, 3288 State Road 46 East.
The free event will include refreshments, hourly door prizes and many items from 68 antique dealers.
For more information, call 812-988-1025 or stop by.
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. Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 9. The History Center is at 90 E. Gould St. downtown.
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. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22 and 23.
For more information or tickets, visit browncountyplayhouse.org or call 812-988-6555.
Christmas open house at Marsh studio, gallery
HELMSBURG — The Charlene Marsh Studio and Gallery will host its annual Christmas open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the weekend of Dec. 2 and 3. The eighth annual event is free and open to the public at 4013 Lanam Ridge Road.
Saturday and Sunday, Marsh will exhibit a new collection of plein air oil paintings created during the fall in Yellowwood State Forest. Marsh hikes into the forest to paint in all kinds of weather. Earlier studio and plein air work will also be on exhibit and available for purchase.
Organic refreshments and holiday drinks will be served.
For more information, visit CharleneMarsh.com or call 812-988-4497.
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 with guests or be in the Harvest Hall, 2620 Valley Branch Road. Admission costs vary. Call 812-988-7750 for more information or reservations.
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.
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, $6 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 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.
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.
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.
Christmas party for kids at church
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.
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.
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.
