No matter what your Christmas plans are this weekend, there are still a few events to get you into the remaining holiday spirit this week.
Holiday workshop: All it takes is a few cards to build a floral tree centerpiece for your holiday table with House of Flowers
The talented team from the city center business will lead the workshop, the last of three held this month.
Cost is $65, including materials and instruction. To-go kits are available for those unable to attend Thursday’s 6-7 p.m. workshop, 1611 19th St. in the store
Dustin’s Diner: Taking the family out to see the neighborhood lights? Don’t forget to stop by this Haggin Oaks fundraiser booth before you head out for some goodies.
Run entirely by volunteers, the luncheon raises funds for the Bakersfield Homeless Center/Open Door Network by offering sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, hot cocoa and hot apple cider for $1 each.
Since its inception in 1993, it has raised more than $275,000, averaging between $15,000 and $20,000 a year over the past 10 years.
Dustin’s Diner opens at 6pm Thursday and Friday at 2301 Haggin Oaks Blvd.
“Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn”: Theatergoers have two other options to catch this lively musical.
Enjoy a catalog of popular song and dance numbers with this show at Stars Theater Restaurant, 1931 Chester Ave.
There are limited seats for the Thursday and Friday shows. Dinner is at 18:30, and the show at 19:30
Admission is $75, $47 show only; $55, $27 student-only show. The Steinert Suite VIP Box ($100 per ticket or $70 for shows only) was open for both shows at press time. Visit bmtstars.com for tickets.
Stars downtown and Stars Playhouse (2756 Mosasco St.) are having a canned food drive and will be accepting donations through Friday.
Holiday Lights at CALM: Enjoy over 3 million lights in an elaborate drive-thru display designed by Lightasmic!
Arrive as early as possible to avoid long queues to enter the attraction.
Apart from Christmas Day, the drive-thru is open daily from 5:30pm to 8:30pm until December 31st.
The entrance to the show is from Lake Ming Road. Grab some candy from the Teen Challenge concession before following the signs down the road.
Cost is $30 per vehicle, and advance tickets (highly recommended) are available at calmzoo.org. CALM members save 20 percent (use code CALMMEMBER2022) and active military and veterans save 10 percent (use code MILITARY2022). Guests must show their CALM Membership card or military ID at entry to receive a discount.
Bakersfield Christmas Town: Head to the Kern County Fairgrounds for this holiday ride and drive event.
Stay warm in the car as you drive through the light show or gather the kids to play in the outdoor activity area with Santa’s cozy shack, Holly Jolly Train Ride, 100-foot Jingle Bell Sledding Hill, Frosty’s Play Area with bounce house, lasers. tag arena, outdoor skate rink and more.
Hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and December 30 and 31 and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday and December 26 to 29 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. The event is only from 5:30pm to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Ride admission is $30, $25 for seniors and children to ride Thursday and Friday; $20 December 26-29. Vehicle transportation is $30 Friday through Sunday and $25 Monday through Thursday.
“Celebrate the Season” concert: Whitchard Choral & Theater Arts Academy’s choral program will present its winter concert on Thursday.
Doors open at 6 p.m., performance at 6:30 p.m. at St John Missionary Baptist Church, 1401 E. Brundage Lane.
“Christmas Dinner Wines” wine tasting: Wine Me Up invites you to taste some festive wines that are perfect to pair with your holiday meal.
The tasting begins at 6pm on Thursday at the winery, 3900 Coffee Road, Suite 2.
Tickets are $20 at eventbrite.com or by calling 661-558-8556.
Christmas with the Big Cats: The Exotic Feline Breeding Compound’s Feline Conservation Center will host Rosamond’s annual Christmas Dinner for her feline friends on Saturday.
Longtime EFBC patron and local resident Randy Scott provided special dinners for the animals.
Starting at 2:00 p.m., the center’s team will distribute turkeys and chickens to the big cats. (Warning: these carnivores are fast eaters, so don’t be late.)
Admission is $10, $8 for active military (ID) and seniors 60 and older, $5 for ages 3-12.
To get downtown from Bakersfield, take Highway 58 east to Mojave and then Highway 14 south to Rosamond. There is only one Rosamond exit, which is also the exit for Edwards Air Force Base. Exit Take the Rosamond Boulevard exit and go west (right) 3.5 miles to Mojave-Tropico Road. At the stop sign (with a big colorful sign at the corner), turn right and go about a mile to Rhyolite, then turn left. The downtown trail begins where Rhyolite ends.
Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow him on Twitter at @realstefanidias.