It’s officially time to start thinking about Christmas! There are so many great things in our area to do with your family to get in the Christmas spirit.  These are a few of our favorites and a couple new ones that we are planning to check out this year.

 Winter Festival at Douglas Hart Nature Center – December 18, 4-7 pm

The holiday season takes over the nature center with the annual Winter Fest including Santa’s craft shop, Reindeer Games, and pictures with Live Reindeer.

Santa’s Secret Star and Season of Light at Parkland Planetarium

“Santa’s Secret” Santa has lost his compass and can’t find his way home? Sounds like a disaster in the making! Can the stars help? Learn about the day  and night sky and how the stars seem to make pictures in the sky in our newest holiday show for young stargazers. Learn how YOU, too, can find Santa’s secret  star!

“Season of Light” traces the history and development of many of the world’s holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season. “Seasons of Light” also recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice – not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. It also examines some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions.

Christmas is a magical time of year with the Reindeer. Take a Reindeer tour and get up close and friendly with Klondike, Flurry, Mistletoe and the other Reindeer. You’ll be given a treat to feed them then you can even give them a ‘reindeer kiss’ – if you’re brave.

Merry Christmas! Wishing you all a season memories that will last a lifetime!

– Nicole