First up, this Friday, Willie Nelson is performing with Billy Bob Thorton at the Morris. Sounds like a strange event to me! For more info, www.morriscenter.org

Friday, Dec. 5th -

• Winter Exhibition Reception at South Bend Museum of Art , 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Have a jolly great time at this exhibition reception for Dick Lehman's In Pursuit of Beauty: Microcosm and the Exquisite on view in the Art League Gallery and the SBMA Student/Faculty Exhibition in the Community Gallery. Complimentary refreshements served. There will be a one-of-a-kind holiday performance by jazz legend Martha Lorin (made possible by Lampkin Music Group). There is special exhibition fee to view Iconic America in the Warner Gallery, all other galleries are free. http://www.sbrma.org/events.html
• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30 - 6:45 in front of the Morris. Children from the Starz Academy will perform and the artists who created the Holidays Greeting Cards will be recognized. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be served. This all leads up to the big event...Santa's arrival and the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree! Also participants are encouraged to bring food donations that are gathered by the Knights of Columbus to be given to St. Vincent de Paul Society. http://www.sbpark.org/special/holiday.htm

Saturday, December 6th -

• Breakfast with Santa, 8 - 9:30 http://www.sbpark.org/special/holiday.htm, $5
• Tea with Santa, 12 - 1 and 1:15 - 2:15 http://www.sbpark.org/special/holiday.htm, $5
• Holiday Art Walk 11 am - 5 pm. Free tour, includes Cushing Inn & Oliver Inn Bed and Breakfasts. http://www.circaartsgallery.com/HolidayArtWalk.html

Sunday, December 7th -

• Copshaholm Christmas Carol - Actors portray members of the Oliver family throughout the mansion $10, limited tickets available, 12:30 start time with tours leaving every 5 minutes until sold out. http://www.centerforhistory.org/Christmas_at_Copshaholm08.html
• South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Home for the Holidays, 3 pm at the Morris. Ticket prices vary. See http://www.morriscenter.org/calendar.html for more info.
• Skating with Santa, Howard Park Ice Rink, 4 - 6 pm, Rental available. Fee: 2 pet food items (to be donated to South Bend Animal Control) or $2.00 per person.

Also...

• South Bend Civic Theatre presents A Christmas Story based on the classic movie set in Indiana. Many shows between 11/28 & 12/20 http://www.sbct.org/
• ND's Dept. of Music presents Handel's Messiah 12/5 & 6, 8 pm $10, usually sells out. http://performingarts.nd.edu/index.php?page=detail&event=926
• ND's Band Concert 12/7 3 pm, free, but must reserve tickets in advance. http://performingarts.nd.edu/index.php?page=detail&event=884
• ND's Glee Club (always outstanding) Christmas Concert 12/13 6 & 8:30 pm http://performingarts.nd.edu/index.php?page=detail&event=923
• The Nutcracker Ballet at the Morris - 12/13 2 & 7 pm; 12/14 2 pm http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/competition.htm
• Jim Brickman Holiday Concert at the Morris - 12/15 8 pm (Darnit, I have to work that evening!) http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/competition.htm
• Santa's House & Workshop and Gingerbread Village @ the College Football Hall of Fame and by Chocolate Cafe. Free, free, free! See http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/ for hours and more info. You can even participate in the Gingerbread Village Competition (must register by Nov. 30)! http://www.dtsbsantahouse.com/competition.htm

There is seriously so much more out there that I just can't cover it all, for example The SB Symphonic Choir at IUSB, the Vesper Chorale at Kern Road Mennonite Church, Kathy Mattea's Christmas at DeBartolo, Fernwood's Festival of Lights...

For you locals, I also recommend signing up for the emails from ArtsEverywhere.com. They list many local events, highlight the free ones, and even offer discounts to some of the events! Check it out, and don't be complaining that there's nothing to do in South Bend, yo!