SAGINAW, MI – Celebrate the holiday season Friday through Sunday, December 16-18 in and around Saginaw, Bay City and Midland with these family-friendly events:
A view of the State Theater in Bay City on Friday, November 5, 2021. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com
Bay Chorale presents ‘Sing Joy’ on December 16th
The Bay Chorale presents “Sing Joy” on Friday, December 16 at the historic State Theatre.
The concert will feature plenty of cheerful Christmas music to get listeners in the holiday mood, according to a Bay Chorale news release.
The Bay Chorale is under the direction of Eric Nisula of the Saginaw Valley State University music department, assisted by Kristin Neubecker.
Read the full story here.
Owner Rita Johnson snaps a photo of Saginaw’s N. Washington Ave. at Rita’s Southern Soul Cafe located at 110 on Friday, December 2, 2022. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com
Rita’s welcomes customers with a free holiday party with toy giveaways
Rita’s Southern Soul Café is back in downtown Saginaw, and owner Rita Johnson is inviting area families to celebrate the holiday with a free party and toy giveaway.
The party is from 3-7pm on Saturday, December 17th at Rita’s, 110 N. Washington Ave. Guests will enjoy free food, live entertainment, free giveaways, trivia and games.
“We have bikes, toys, dollhouses and STEM toys,” Johnson said. “Everything is free.”
Rita’s also serves Sunday brunch.
Read the full story here.
SVRC Marketplace in downtown Saginaw, 203 S. Washingon Ave., seen here Nov. 23, 2022, is decorated for the holidays. (Heather Jordan | MLive.com)Heather Jordan | MLive.com
Kids shop at the one-day Santa Shoppe, where everything is $15 or less
Children are invited to the first Santa Shopper in the SVRC Marketplace building to shop for gifts for family and friends this holiday season.
All items in this cash-only store will be $15 or less, and “elves” will be on hand to help young shoppers. Parents and guardians are also welcome, said Rachel Caudy, general manager of the SVRC Marketplace and The BoardRoom restaurant.
The Santa Shoppe will be open Saturday, Dec. 17, from noon to 4 p.m., at SVRC Marketplace, 203 S. Washington Ave., in the lower level press room. SVRC Marketplace vendors and other area businesses will offer jewelry, clothing, food and other products.
“The kids can pick out their gifts, and then we’ll wrap the gifts,” Caudy said. “It gives kids an opportunity to learn how to spend money and help small businesses.”
Read the full story here.
Snow-covered evergreen trees are seen in this file photo. (File by Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com
Celebrate the winter solstice at the Chippewa Nature Center
The Chippewa Nature Center invites you to a Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 17th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Take part in earth-friendly traditions: blow a beeswax candle, create a miniature log, make a small evergreen wreath to take home, take a leisurely walk along the illuminated Arbury Trail, and warm up by the fire.
This event is free and open to people of all ages. Children and teenagers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Chippewa Nature Center is located at 400 S. Badour Road in Midland.
For more information, visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org.
Santa Claus laughs in this MLive file photo. (File by Sam Gause | MLive.com)MLive Media Group
Have breakfast with Santa at The Boardroom
BoardRoom will be having a breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 18th.
Guests can dine with Santa from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will also include photos with Santa, holiday pancakes, a hot cocoa bar, DIY decorations and Christmas movies.
Buy your breakfast with Santa cards for $15 here.
A view of the Temple Theater in downtown Saginaw in April 2022.
See ‘Elf’ on the big screen at Saginaw’s Temple Theatre
See “Elf” (2003) starring Wil Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel on the big screen at the historic Temple Theater in downtown Saginaw. The film is rated PG.
Doors open at 1pm on Sunday 18th December and the show starts at 2pm
The Temple Theater is located at 201 N. Washington Ave.
For more information or to purchase two tickets, visit templetheatre.com.
Santa Claus won’t be visiting Frankenmuth’s Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland this holiday season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but kids can catch a glimpse of Kris Kringle—almost.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com file
Santa is back at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland for the 2022 holiday season
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is once again hosting in-person visits with Santa.
Santa returned to Bronner’s, 25 Christmas Lane in Frankenmuth, on Black Friday and will visit with the children until Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th.
The iconic Christmas store held virtual visits with Santa in 2021 and 2020.
Children can visit from 14:00 to 18:00 Monday to Thursday, 13:00 to 19:00 on Friday, 09:15 to 19:00 on Saturday and 12:00 to 17:30 on Sunday.
Saturdays and Sundays are especially busy, so guests hoping to see him on those days should wait.
Read the full story here.
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