The Thanksgiving turkey dinner’s over, but there’s no shortage of holiday events still on the calendar in the Keizer and Salem area. Here’s a look at some of the offerings in the coming week.
Friday, Nov. 28
• Santa drops in aboard the Carousel Express Train, arriving at 12 noon right in front of the iconic Salem Riverfront Carousel. After taking a spin on the carousel, the jolly old elf will be available for photos from 12:30 to 5 p.m. There’s a fee for photos, but the visit is free. Photo reservations can be made online on the carousel website.
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 28-29
• The World Ballet Company presents the classic Christmas fairy tale “Nutcracker,” at the Elsinore Theatre in Salem. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday. The company features 40 elaborately costumed dancers who bring the tale to life amid stunning sets. Prepare for snowflakes, mischievous mice and the temptations of the Kingdom of Sweets. The traveling troupe is based in Los Angeles and includes dancers from more than 10 countries.
For tickets visit the Elsinore Theatre online.
Friday, Nov. 28 -Monday, Dec. 1
• The Willamette Heritage Center will be aglow, as thousands of lights adorn the buildings and grounds for the festive Magic at the Mill. The event is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and includes visits with Santa, a holiday market place, children’s activities, heritage craft demonstrations and more. Tickets cost $17 for adults, $14 for senior citizens, $12 for age 4-17, and members and children 3 and under get in for free.
The event is limited to 1,000 persons per night, so reservations are recommended by visiting willametteheritage.org online. If there are unreserved tickets left, they will be available at the entrance.
Friday, Nov. 28 – Wednesday, Dec. 31
•As Christmas nears, Santa has lost his presents for the elves, and visitors to Keizer’s Roto-Rooter Park will get to help him find them. The fun is just one part of the GLOW Christmas Festival set for Nov. 28 through Dec. 31 at the stadium. The event is billed as a “walk-around festival” and it will have a scavenger hunt, local vendors, gourmet food trucks, beverages, interactive play zones and covered spaces with heat. Don’t miss the “Naughty or Nice” hall, where you can help Santa decide. For tickets find the link on the Facebook page of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
•Keizer lights up its community Christmas tree with festivities starting at 6 p.m. at Walery Plaza, at the corner of Cherry Avenue and North River Road. Santa Claus arrives by fire engine at 6:30 p.m. to flip the switch with the help of two children picked in a drawing. There will be hot cocoa and caroling to add to the fun, and children can visit with Santa about their Christmas wishes.
The event is free, so bundle up and head downtown for the tree lighting.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
• The British comedy team James & Jamesy, aka Aaron Malkin and Alastair Knowles, bring their “O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy” to the Elsinore Theatre for a 7:30 p.m. show. Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss should find this performance their “cup of tea.” The show promising a blend of witty wordplay and physical comedy is on a 37-city tour. Tickets start at $23 and are selling fast; check availability at ochristmastea.com, or the Theatre Box Office, 503-375-3574.
Thursday-Friday, Dec. 4 – Dec. 5
• Exquisite chorale presentations and audience caroling await those attending Willamette University’s Holidays in Hudson Hall. The show is from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center on the Salem campus, 297 12th St. S.E. in Salem.
The event will feature music from the university’s Chamber, Voce and Vox groups, as well as stunning lights and decor reflecting the holiday season. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range to $15 and are available online by a link from the university music department website.
Friday, Dec. 5
•The Gala of Trees, an auction benefit for Family Building Blocks, will be from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Salem Convention Center. The event aims to help children and families in Marion and Polk Counties, as they face challenging situations. At the gala, people can browse and bid an array of elaborately decorated trees of all sizes and luxury experience packages. For tickets, visit Family Building Blocks online.
Saturday, Dec. 6
•The Keizer Art Association’s holiday open house is set for 4 to 6 p.m. at the gallery, 980 Chemawa Road N.E. The public is invited to visit and browse the gift shop for items made by local artists.
• The Light the World Community Christmas Celebration is set to celebrate the light of the Savior from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1375 Lockhaven Drive in Keizer. There will be a live nativity scene, plus displays of creches from around the world, crafts and music performances. Organizers are collecting toys and puzzles to donate for families for Christmas.
• Countryside Christian Church has gifts and goodies galore in the annual Holiday Bazaar, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be vendors and a bake sale, with proceeds going to the projects of the Women’s Ministry of Countryside. The church is at 5775 McLeod Lane.
Send event information to [email protected].
SUBSCRIBE: Get around-the-clock access to news about Keizer with a digital subscription to the Keizertimes. It’s secure, is available at $10 a month, and takes just a moment when you go HERE. Your support for local journalism is vital.
