Getting in the Holiday Mood in Flint & Genesee

With December approaching, it’s time to let yourself dream of the warmth of a cozy fire, a hot drink, and the twinkling of lights. With the winter holidays on their way, it’s a perfect time to get into the spirit of things with some local entertainment.

The holiday season kicks off in earnest on November 25 with the Nutcracker Tea, which invites young people to visit with the characters of “The Nutcracker,” enjoy story time, dance, and get their faces painted. There will be a lunch provided as well as a hot cocoa bar. This is a wonderful lead into “The Nutcracker” with shows at Whiting Auditorium on either December 2 or 3.

On December 8, you’ll find Little Scrooge presented by the Flint Youth Theatre. This is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” that will be fun for the entire family. The beloved classic has been given a modern update and is full of music and humor that will keep everyone’s attention.

December 14 brings Shadows of the 60s to the FIM Capitol Theatre where you can hear holiday classics reimagined by Motown. This night of music is a greatest hits presentation of familiar holiday tunes that will come to life like never before as it’s brought to the majestic Capitol.

The next night offers a showing of “It’s A Wonderful Life” at the FIM Capitol Theatre. The classic film about a man given a second chance at life after a wish is answered by a wayward angel will be shown for one night only.

Another of Flint & Genesee’s traditions comes on December 16 with the Holiday Pops at Whiting Auditorium. Featuring performances by the Flint Symphony Orchestra, you will hear a mix of traditional and contemporary favorites that will recall falling snow and twinkling lights and get everyone ready for the holidays.

The holiday shows from the Flint Institute of Music come to a close with a performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage.” Whiting Auditorium will host Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang for a live performance of the animated classic that ponders what the real meaning of Christmas is. The evening ends with a sing-along with the characters that will be the highlight of the night.

For more, you can head to The New McCree Theatre for Christmas at a Crossroads which tells the story of Christmas through its religious context. This production runs December 8–23.

For more interactive events, families are invited to Serenity House Communities’ Annual Christmas Dinner for the Community on December 1. There will be Pictures with Santa at VIP on December 2. Families can skip right to dessert and have Cookies with Santa at the Flint Children’s Museum on December 3. There is a Community Holiday Party with The Disability Network at the Dort Mall on December 6 with free dinner, dancing, crafts, Santa, and more. Flushing will hold its annual Candlewalk on December 8 downtown. These are but a few of the many options for the holidays.  

For those of the Jewish faith, there is a Chanukah Celebration held at Shea Automotive on December 7. At this event, there will be Menorah lighting, food, music, Dreidels, and friendship and joy.  

There are so many options for going out for a holiday show or a cozy event that it will be hard to decide which to go to. This is a time of family, joy, and merriment and whichever events you choose you are sure to keep the holidays well in your heart.