Find continuously updated CHRISTMAS listings in every Thursday’s edition of Time Out or www.salisburypost.com/time out

Find church CHRISTMAS programs listed in every Saturday’s Faith section or www.salisburypost.com/faith briefs

To submit to the next community calendar, which will be the 2016 12-month calendar, email towncrier@salisburypost.com with Community Calendar in the subject line.

 

Dec. 1

Excerpts of ‘The Nutcracker’ with the Salisbury Symphony. 6:30 p.m. Ballerinas from Piedmont Dance Theatre dance for kids at the library. Meet a ballerina after the program. RPL HQ, 201 W. Fisher St.

Dec. 2

Winter Traditions. 10:30 a.m.-noon. RPL HQ for children aged 3+ to learn about winter holiday traditions from different religions and cultures.

Afton Ridge ice skating — Dec. 2-6: Skating is free, skate rentals $6, all-weather ice-skating rink at I-85 & Kannapolis Parkway. See hours at  shopaftonridge.com

Dec. 3

PawBrokers. Jewelry fundraiser. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Heritage Room, 118 E. Council St. 100% of proceeds benefit Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary. 704-633-1722, faithfulfriendsnc.org

AARP holiday covered dish lunch. 12:30 p.m. Nancy Sloop sing-along. Bring canned goods for RHM. Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1129 MLK Ave. Free. 704-216-7714.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ 8 p.m. Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 19-20. 2:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20. Old Courthouse Theater, 49 Spring St. NW, Concord, 704-788-2405, oldcourthousetheatre.org

Dec. 4

Arc of Rowan Festival of Trees. Dec. 4: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 5: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 6: 1-5 p.m. Trolley Barn, 127 E. Liberty St. thearcofrowan.org

Polar Express Train Rides. Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 16-22. at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ticket info at nctrans.org

Scrooge Christmas Trolley Tour. Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19. 6, 6:30, 7:15, 8 p.m. each evening. Lee Street theatre actors tell the story of Ebenezer around downtown. Ticket info at visitsalisburync.com

Kannapolis Intimidators Laser Show. Dec. 4-6: Rain or shine at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Gates open 5 p.m., tickets $5 at IntimidatorsBaseball.com

First Friday: Salisbury Sings in the Season.  5-9 p.m. Dec. 5. Bring unwrapped packages to Visitors Center,  204 E. Innes St. before 8  p.m. to have them complimentary gift wrapped by Santa’s elves, by way of the Trolley Gift Express. Also, horse and carriage rides depart from West Fisher Street near Caniche.

Piedmont Choral Society Christmas concerts. 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 3 p.m. Dec. 6. 50-voice choir with orchestra. Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St. N., Concord. Reception to follow. 704-699-6053.

Concert Choir A Capella Christmas Concert. 7:30 p.m.  “Around the Manger” at St. John’s Lutheran Church sanctuary, admission is free.

Fridays@First at FUMC. Noon on Dec. 4, 11, 18. Annual Fridays@First Advent Series at First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., 704-636-3121.

Dec. 5

Holiday Stories with Elves from the East. 10:30 a.m.-noon. RPL East, 110 Broad St., Rockwell, 704-216-7842 Christmas stories, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, refreshments, crafts.

Domestic violence roundtable discussion — 1 p.m.: First in a weekly Saturday series, open to anyone directly or indirectly affected by domestic violence/intimate partner violence. Sponsored by NSC Behavioral Concepts. Free. 121 W. Council St., Suite 201, 704 603 6156.

44th annual Cleveland Christmas Parade. Cleveland Lions Club. 2 p.m. Start at the old West Rowan YMCA and travel west towards highway 70 and Freightliner.

Happy’s Holiday Roundup. At Happy’s Farm. Noon- 4 p.m. Santa, cookies and cocoa, horse/pony ride, western playground, wagon ride, jail arcade. www.happysfarm.org

Bonsai Trees Exhibit. In the Core laboratory atrium, Research Campus Drive, Kannapolis. Free. Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fulton Heights Holiday Home Tour. 5-8 p.m. The Pitners’ 1930 Brick Colonial Revival. The Clarks’ 1915 Arts and Crafts Bungalow. The Shue’s 1922 Craftsman Style Bungalow. The Fleming’s 1915 Victorian Era Farm House. $10 suggested donation.

China Grove Christmas Tour of Homes and Dinner. 4 and 6 p.m. Tour historical China Grove Roller Mill, 308 N. Main St. 30 minutes prior. Ticket info at 704-425-5323.

The Messengers: Miracle on Monroe Street. 7 p.m. Christmas Extravaganza with Livingstone College Concert Choir, Theater & Dramatic Arts Department students, members of  Salisbury Symphony, live animals. Varick Auditorium. $20  adults, free for age 6 and under.

Breakfast with Santa. 8-11 a.m., Cabarrus Shrine Club, 1460 Oakwood Ave., Kannapolis. Proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. Pancake breakfast, crafts, hot chocolate, treat bags, magician, clown. Tickets 704-467-4950.

Village Park Christmas Festival. 2-8 p.m., 700 West C St., Kannapolis, Crafts, food, vendors, carnival rides, inflatables, Santa, Kannapolis Singing Bears. Free.

Golden Christmas at Reed Gold Mine. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Candlelight tour, local artisans, hayride. Reed Gold Mine, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, 704-721-4653 reed@ncdcr.gov

Claire Lynch Band. Holiday bluegrass. 8 p.m. Davis Theatre 65 Union St. S., Concord, 704-920-2787, cabarrusartscouncil.org

Delmonico’s Band at the Y. 7-10 p.m., bring a snack to share. $7 per person. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.

Candlelight Christmas at Latta Plantation. Drop in 6-9 p.m. Dressed interpreters, live Nativity, music. Outdoor event. 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-2312, lattaplantation.org

Freedom Fund Banquet. Salisbury-Rowan NAACP 7 p.m. Livingstone College School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, 530 Jake Alexander Blvd S. with the Rev. Michelle Laws.

‘The Messengers: Miracle on Monroe Street,’ 7 p.m., Dec. 5, Christmas Extravaganza. featuring Livingstone College Concert Choir, led by Dr. DaVaughn L. Miller, students in the school’s Theater and Dramatic Arts Department, led by Michael D. Connor, members of the Salisbury Symphony and live animals. Varick Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 and older, $10 for children in grades one through 12 and free for children 6 and under..

Dec. 6

Hanukkah begins

Lunch with Santa. Noon–3 p.m. Cabarrus Shrine Club, 1460 Oakwood Ave., Kannapolis. Proceeds benefit Humane Society. Pizza lunch, crafts, hot chocolate, treat bags, magician. Tickets 704-467-4950.

Gingerbread House Workshop. Rowan Museum. 1-4 p.m. Tickets at 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum.org

The North Rowan Connection Choir. 5 p.m. Friends and Family Mass Choir/Rainbow Tea fundraiser,  Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 719 S. Calwell St. Gospel Music from the 70s to today. Food will be served. Proceeds go to the North Rowan Connection Hope Scholarship Fund. Free admission.

‘The Parchman Hour’ auditions. Dec. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. leestreet.org/auditions/ Lee Street Theatre, 329 N. Lee St.

Phoenix Readers free performances — • Dec. 6, 3 p.m., John Calvin Presbyterian Church, •, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., Rowan Public Library  Stanback Room • Dec. 9, 7 p.m.,  Trinity Oaks, • Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m., United Church of Christ • Dec. 13, 2 p.m.  Center for Faith & the Arts • Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m., Oak Park Retirement, • Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m., Morningside Assisted Living Senior Community, Concord • Info at kldavis302@gmail.com

DAV Chapter 96 Christmas dinner. Thelma’s Restuarant, 6-9 p.m. Also silent auction.

Friends of RPL Bookmark Contest winners’ reception, 6:30 p.m., Rowan Public Library Headquarters, 201 W. Fisher St. Winners invited to bring families and special friends.

‘Photos: Forgotten But Not Lost, Kannapolis History Associates 7 p.m., on photos from the archives. Gary’s BBQ, 620 US-29, China Grove. $10 per person at the door. Details at 704-932 or  704-796-0803.

Holiday Pajama Express. 6-7:30 p.m. S. Rowan Library, 920 Kimball Road, China Grove, 704-216-7728. Children’s holiday fun, wear your favorite holiday pajamas.

Martha Bassett in concert. 7-9 p.m. RPL Headquarters, 201 W. Fisher St. Swing, jazz, folk, country, and rock. Free.

‘Cabaret’ master dance class. 7 p.m. Piedmont Players Theatre, instructor Tod A. Kubo.Enroll at 704-633-5471. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. PiedmontPlayers.com

Vanishing Americana. Rowan History Club. 7 p.m. Rowan Museum Messinger Room, 202 N. Main St., 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum.org

Dec. 10

It’s a Wonderful Life – A live radio play. Lee Street Theatre, 329 N. Lee St. Dec. 10-12 and 17-19 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets at leestreet.org

Holiday Music Celebration at Montgomery Store Gold Hill. 7 p.m. Dec 10: Montgomery General Store kicks off the Christmas celebrations on Thursday with the Efird Family Singers ‘Home for the Holidays’ Concer. Admission by donations to benefit the performers. See www.historicgoldhill.com or call 704-267-9439.

 

Dec. 11

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.’ 7:30 p.m. Opening night complimentary reception. Also Dec. 12 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. Tickets 704-633-5471, piedmontplayers.com

‘Christmas Across the Pond.’ 7:30 p.m. Salisbury Rowan Choral Society concert at First UCC, 207 W. Horah St. Bring a toy to be donated. www. facebook.com/Salisbury.Rowan.Choral.Society

Walk Thru Bethlehem. 6-9 p.m. also 2 p.m.- 9 p.m. Dec. 12. Camp Wesley, 3090 Deal Road, Mooresville. Free, interactive, biblical-era drama and marketplace. www.walkthrubethlehem.org

Christmas in Gold Hill Village. Dec. 11-13: light refreshments, live music, Santa, Christmas storytelling, marshmallow roasting, live bluegrass and Christmas music. Historic Gold Hill Village, 840 St. Stephen’s Church Road, Gold Hill, www.goldhill.com 

‘A Christmas Carol’. Dec. 11-13: By Intune School of the Arts. Concord First Assembly, 150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. 90+ actors, singers, dancers. Tickets at concordchristmas.com

Christmas light and Nativity event. 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11-12: Annual Christmas Light and Nativity drive thru at Faith Lutheran Church, corner of Faith Road and Deal Street, 704-279-2500.

 

Dec. 12

Santa and the Grinch antique fire truck rides. Downtown Salisbury. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Hot cocoa, cookies, make holiday decorations. Free rides depart from Visitors Center, 204 E. Innes St.

Kannaplis Christmas Parade of Lights. 6 p.m. Night time parade in downtown Kannapolis. New route begins on Oak at Vance. www.cabarrusevents.org

Hometown Holidays Committee Christmas tour. 6-8 p.m. The home of Tommy and Judy Stoner, 301 Fourth St. Santa and his sleigh greet on the front porch. $5 donation to tour the house.

Holly Jolly Christmas Show — 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Dec. 12 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 13: Inaugural Holly Jolly Christmas Show at the Rowan County Fairgrounds, 85+ craft and small business vendors. Admission $1 and 2 canned goods or $3, under 12 free. All food items go to Faith Lutheran Church  community food bank. Main Street Baptist Church’s women’s fellowship available to wrap gifts. Sponsored by Rowan County Fair Association. Info 336-880-3554.

Gold Hill Holiday Music Celebration continues — Saturday Dec. 12: musicians at the Gold Hill Montgomery General Store include ‘A Banjo Christmas’ with Danny Bowers at 1 p.m., The Broadway Family at 2 p.m. The Jordan River Band will perform 7-9 p.m. Saturday night. Admission by donations to benefit the performers. See www.historicgoldhill.com or call 704-267-9439.

Dec. 13

St. John’s Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert. 4 p.m. Sanctuary, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St. Offering to benefit RHM. 704-636-3431, stjohns-salisbury.org

Rowan Big Band All Stars —  7 p.m.: 18-piece jazz band featuring local musicians headlines “Christmas In Swingtime,” free, open to the public, hosted by the First Presbyterian Church, 308 W. Innes St.  Christmas music from the Big Band Era of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Dress to impress.

Piedmont Singing Men — 7 p.m.: 43 musicians from 23 churches in the Concord/Kannapolis/Charlotte area will tell a story using songs of the Christmas season. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road, 704-633-3770.

Jubilee Choir annual Christmas concert — 5 p.m. Dec. 13: “Were You There On That Christmas Night?” with guest artist classically trained soprano Kia Baird. Also features Rebecca Stinson, Phyllis Partee, Doris Goodman, Monica  Green.  Choir has been together 50+ years. Free concert, love offering accepted. Held at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church.

Afton Ridge ice skating — Visit with Santa 2-5 p.m. All-weather ice-skating rink at I-85 & Kannapolis Parkway. www.shopaftonridge.com

Dec. 14

Karl Hales’ Christmas Traditions. 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15: Karl Hales hosts 11th annual stories and music of Christmas, with Neal Wilkinson, Leslie Dunkin, Susan Trivette at Meroney Theater. Admission: one canned item for Rowan Helping Ministries.

‘Cabaret’ auditions. PPT’s Tony- winning musical 6 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. Show dates March 10-19. 704-633-5471, PiedmontPlayers.com

Dec. 15

Holiday Hangtime for teens at the Rowan Public Library. 5:30-7 p.m. 201 W. Fisher St., 704-216-8229.

Dec. 16

TREEmendous Christmas party. 10:30 a.m.-noon. RPL HQ Christmas story time, crafts and refreshments with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 704-216-8229.

Christmas Craft Fair at the Y. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., open to the public.  J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.

Dec. 18

Christmas in The Grove.  4-8 p.m. Sledding, s’mores, hot chocolate. Also Dec. 19 from 6-8 p.m. with sledding, horse and wagon rides, Santa, hot chocolate, s’mores. Chinagrovenc.gov

Twin City Stage presents Macy’s ‘Yes, Virginia The Musical.’ Dec. 18-20: Based on the true story. Arts Council Theatre, 610 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem. Time and tickets at www.twincitystage.org

‘The Nutcracker.’ 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 2:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 20: Piedmont Dance Theatre with Salisbury Symphony, Catawba College’s Keppel Auditorium. Ticket info at 704-637-4314, salisburysymphony.org

Holiday Laser Show with live sky. Holiday decorations, holiday themed science. 3p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. $5 each. Horizons Unlimited Planetarium, 1636 Parkview Circle. Lilly Ave.

Unplugged Christmas benefit concert. 7:30 p.m. Four-time Grammy Award-winning artist Kevin Max. Net proceeds and canned goods collected benefit Rowan Helping Ministries and The Hands and Feet Project. Grace Bible Church, Rockwell.

Nativity Night. Village Park, Kannapolis 4 p.m. Free. Petting zoo, pony rides, vendors. Winterland Express and light displays at 6 p.m. 704-920-4343, www.kannapolisnc.gov

West Corinth 11th annual Singing Christmas Tree. 7 p.m.: West Corinth Baptist Church  choir’s 11th annual Singing Christmas Tree  titled “The Star Still Shines” with songs made famous by Steve Amson and Jason Crabb. Reception follows the Saturday performance. Dean Orbison is Minister of Music.

Dec. 20

Christmas Memorial Singing Program. 2:30 p.m. Annual program in memory of the late Rev. F. L. Cornelius/ Held at Sills Creek AME Zion Church, 3165 Bradshaw Road, Mooresville. Guests: The Chosen Disciples of Asheboro.

West Corinth 11th annual Singing Christmas Tree encore performances.  11 a.m. and 6 p.m.: West Corinth Baptist Church  choir’s 11th annual Singing Christmas Tree.

Winter solstice

‘Home Alone’ holiday movie 5-6:30 p.m. Festive refreshments. Children must be accompanied by an adult. RPL East Branch, 110 Broad St., Rockwell, 704-216-7842.

Dec. 23

Caroling in Fulton Heights. 5:45 p.m. Meet in the parking lot at Maupin Avenue Presbyterian Church. Ride the Trolley and sing carols.

Dec. 25

Christmas

Dec. 26

Boxing Day

Party with a Purpose. Salisbury High classes of 70s and 80s. 7-11 p.m. Collecting gifts for male residents of the Veterans Home. King Tut Cafe and Hookah Lounge, 220 N. Lee St. Tickets at urbanenvironments@gmail.com

Dec. 27

Winter Fever Train Rides. NC Transportation Museum. Dec. 27, 29, 30, 31, and Jan. 2. Rides Sun at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., other days rides at 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m. N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave. Spencer, 704-636-2889, www.nctrans.org

Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower. 8 p.m.-midnight. Annual downtown Salisbury tradition in partnership with the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department. Free.

New Year’s Eve Tomato Drop. 9 p.m.-midnight at Unity Presbyterian Church, Woodleaf. Info 704-278-4248. In affiliation with the Woodleaf Tomato Festival, woodleaftomatofestival@yahoo.com

IchibanCon7. Dec. 31-Jan. 3: Rowan Anime Group’s Embassy Suites Hotel, 5400 John Q Hammons Drive NW, Concord. Ticket info at ichibancon.com

Jan. 1

New Year’s Day

Jan. 2

31st Christmas at the Old Stone House. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 2 and noon-4 p.m., Jan. 3: Old Stone House, 770 Old Stone House Road. Ticket info at 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum.org

Throughout the Season!

Miniature Art Show ends Jan. 30. Art no larger than 4” x 4” x 4.” 123 E. Liberty St, waterworks.org

Festival of Gifts exhibit ends Dec. 19: Rail Walk Studios and Gallery 409-413 N. Lee Street. railwalkgallery.com

The Phoenix Readers’ Christmas production. Dec. 6, 3 p.m. at John Calvin Pres. Church. Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. at Rowan Public Library Stanback Room. Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Oaks. Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m. at UCC, Salisbury. Dec. 13, 2:30 p.m. at Center for Faith & the Arts. Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. at Morningside Asst. Living Senior Comm., Concord. Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m. at Oak Park Retirement.