Compiled by Kevin Coughlin
We’re entering the holiday home stretch. Which means:
Santa, Nutcracker, and Christmas carols in continual rotation.
But you haven’t heard carols until you’ve heard them on the tuba. And we bet you haven’t heard the Twelve Days After Christmas. (See The Christmas Singers on Thursday.)
Scroll down for details; check our handy calendar for even more activities. And for all our friends who will be celebrating on Dec. 25, a very Merry Christmas!
THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015:
The Christmas Singers continued a hallowed tradition with their free holiday noontime concert at the Morristown United Methodist Church, 50 Park Place. A light luncheon is available before or after the concert (11:30 am to 1:30 pm) for $8 (adults) and $7 (seniors and students). Call 973-538-2132 for more.
A Charlie Brown Christmas turns 50 this month. Celebrate the beloved TV classic with a special screening at 7 pm in the Morristown & Township Library. Admission: Free. Light refreshments will be served. At One Miller Road, Morristown.
FRIDAY, DEC. 18:
Santa will be accepting visitors on the Morristown Green from 5 pm to 8 pm. (Photos with Santa: $10.) Free miniature train rides. The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green is organized by the Morristown Partnership.
Video: Santa returns to the Green in 2015.
The New Jersey Ballet and The New Jersey Symphony present Nutcracker at 7:30 pm, at Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center . The show runs through Dec. 26, 2015. Tickets: $29 to $69. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more.
The Center for Spiritual Living Morristown marks the Winter Solstice with “spiritual nourishment, peace, silence, toning, music and the spoken word,” at 7:30 pm. Beverages and snacks afterward, bring some to share. At 331 Mt. Kemble Ave., Harding.
The Minstrel presents an 8 pm holiday show to benefit its host, the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, and its parking lot rebuilding campaign. Folk Project members will perform; arrive early for caroling in the Terrace Room. Suggested (tax deductible) donation: $10. At 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township.
SATURDAY, DEC. 19:
The Super Santa 5K lands at Morris Township’s Ginty Field at 10 am. See website for registration details.
The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green roars into its final weekend with free activities from noon to 7 pm. A Merry Tuba Christmas (see below), miniature train rides, ornament-making, Broadway songs from the Mayo Performing Arts Company and, of course, visits with Santa. (Those cost $10.) Presented by the Morristown Partnership.
Nutcracker, featuring The New Jersey Ballet and The New Jersey Symphony, continues its holiday run at Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center with shows at 1 pm and 6 pm. See Friday entry for more details.
A Merry Tuba Christmas returns at 3 pm for its fourth season on the Morristown Green. Tubas, euphoriums and baritones welcome: Registration, $10, at Morristown High School, at noon; rehearsal at 1 pm in the band room. Founder Doug Rutan is aiming for 100 players of all ages this year.
Video: Merry Tuba Christmas 2014 in Morristown
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown presents Christmas Lessons & Carols at 6 pm. A festive service of carols and anthems, in the tradition of King’s College, Cambridge, features the choirs of St. Peter’s. Childcare is available, and all are invited to a reception in the Rectory. At South Street and Miller Road.
Need some holiday laughs? The Sanctuary Concert Series presents an 8 pm show at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre, featuring Sean Altman’s Jewmongous and that wise-acre wonder, Carla Ulbrich, singing songs from her new CD, Totally Average Woman. Admission: $25. At 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township. Call 973-376-4946 for more.
The Masterwork Chorus presents Handel’s Messiah at 7:30 pm at the Ridge Performing Arts Center in Basking Ridge. Tickets: $31 to $75.
SUNDAY, DEC. 20:
The Morris County Winter Farmers Market has a new home, Morristown’s Alexander Hamilton School, from 10 am to 2 pm every Sunday through April. Organized by theFoodshed Alliance and Sustainable Morristown, the market aims to present up to 25 vendors of locally grown produce. On Mills Street.
The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green heads for the finish line with free activities from noon to 7 pm: Mini-train rides, ice-sculpting, ornament-making, singers from the Brightest Star School of Performing Arts… and Santa. It’s all free, except for visits with Mr. Claus ($10). Presented by the Morristown Partnership. Santa will hang around, and so will the trains, on Monday and Tuesday from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Nutcracker, featuring The New Jersey Ballet and The New Jersey Symphony, continues its holiday run at Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center with shows at 1 pm and 6 pm. See Friday entry for more details. Additional dates: Dec. 23, 24 and 26 (two shows).
MONDAY, DEC. 21:
Grow It Green Morristown celebrates the Winter Solstice at 6 pm at the Early Street Community Garden. Yoga and more. Free.
Santa Claus accepts visitors on the Morristown Green from 5 pm to 8 pm. Photos: $10. Miniature train rides, free. Presented by the Morristown Partnership. Santa and the trains return on Tuesday, same hours… and then, it’s back to the North Pole.
