Muskegon holiday guide: Where to volunteer, donate and celebrate this season

From volunteering and donating to Christmas tree lightings, Santa sightings, carriage rides and much more, there’s a nearly endless number of ways to celebrate the holidays in Muskegon this season. There are a number of gift suggestions here, but we’ll be publishing our full gift guide shortly, so stay tuned.

Volunteer this Thanksgiving

There are numerous ways for you to give back to our community this Thanksgiving, including donating items for Mission for Area People’s Thanksgiving baskets, volunteering at the Muskegon Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving community meal, delivering Thanksgiving dinners through the Salvation Army, and much more. To see the entire list from the United Way of the Lakeshore, please click here.

‘Keep the Kids Warm’ Drive for Nelson Elementary School

When: Mondays through Thursdays, 11am-6pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 11am-8pm

Where: Third Coast Vinyl (1115 Third St.)

What: What better way to enjoy the holiday season than to make someone’s day a little brighter? Donate new hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks for Nelson Elementary children

Cold Weather Pack donations for our homeless neighbors

When: Mondays through Fridays, 9am-5pm

Where: Community enCompass’ office (19 Hartford Ave.)

What: Donate space blankets, hand warmers, socks, and hats to stock cold weather packs for our homeless neighbors in Muskegon. Food donations, including tuna and/or chicken salad pouches and protein/energy bars, are also being accepted. For more information, contact Cindy by emailing cindy@communityencompass.org.

United Way of the Lakeshore’s Coat and Hat Drive

When: Through Dec. 10

Where: Donate at locations throughout Muskegon, including: Pompa Do’s Salon, Muskegon Area ISD, Harbour Pointe Medical, Hearing and Wellness Center, Bella Sol Wellness Center, Braeburn Wealth Management, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, Noble Co., Girl Scouts Shore to Shore, Reeths Puffer Schools Admin Building, Hot Rod Harley Davidson, Jason Ryan State Farm, Fifth Third locations, Comerica Bank locations, Register of Deeds Office , Community Foundation of Muskegon County, and Hart Middle School.

What: The United Way of the Lakeshore’s annual coats and hats drive will help to support families struggling to stay warm this winter. These coats and other items will go to such agencies as Mission for Area People, the Salvation Army, and Mary’s Close.

Items you can donate: Coats (new/used), hats, gloves, boots, scarves and more winter apparel. Items can be of any size. Coats may be used, but hats and gloves should be new. For more information, please click here.

Adopt a family for Christmas

When: Adopt a family through the United Way of the Lakeshore by Dec. 18, drop off the gifts before Dec. 20.

Where: Deliver, set up a pick-up time with family, or drop off items at the United Way of the Lakeshore before December 20th.

What: The United Way of the Lakeshore’s “adopt a family” program works with families facing numerous obstacles, from medical situations to other crises. Many of these families typically would never ask for help, so this program has been designed to encourage referrals from family members, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and employers.  The program is flexible and allows the adopter to bring the gifts directly to the family they work with if both sides so choose. To find out more about the program, click here, and to see the families who still need to be adopted, click here. Have questions? Call Jana Routt at 231-332-4004.

Community enCompass’ Neighborhood Christmas Store

When: Bring all donations by Dec. 6.

Where: Bring donations to the Community enCompass office at 19 Hartford Ave.

What: The Christmas Store is a program organized by our neighbors that offer new, deeply discounted toys and gifts for hard-working neighborhood families. In addition to bringing joy to our neighbors, all proceeds from the store support summer jobs for students in Community enCompass’ Youth Empowerment Project. Click here for more information and here for a list of ideas for your donation to the Christmas Store.

Gifts for Muskegon

We’re incredibly grateful to live in a city where so many people give countless hours to helping their neighbors, from ensuring people have food to eat and a place to sleep to improving literacy, making our city more accessible for individuals with disabilities, and so much more. Whether you want to make a donation in a loved one’s name as a present, offer presents to families in need, or give the gift of volunteerism to an organization making profound change in our world, there are plenty of opportunities to do so here in Muskegon this holiday season.

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County has an immensely helpful list of funds (click here) to which you can donate. Whether you want to support African-American heritage and culture in our community, music and the arts, college access programs, health initiatives, and so much more, there are hundreds of ways for you to give.

If you’re looking to donate a larger amount, the Community Foundation regularly publishes community wish lists for items local nonprofits are looking to fund, from coolers for Meals on Wheels to appliances for homes constructed by Muskegon County Habitat for Humanity. Check out the community wish lists by clicking here.

Community enCompass is implementing profound change in our city through creating affordable housing, rehabbing homes, operating an urban farm, connecting individuals who are homeless with stable housing, offering laundry facilities and warm meals to anyone in need, and much more. Check out volunteering opportunities with them here.

Now more than a century old, the United Way of the Lakeshore is focused on building healthy and safe lives for everyone in our community; the organization emphasizes quality education that leads to stable jobs, enough income to support a family through retirement, and health. To donate, click here, and to volunteer, please go here.

One in five children in Michigan experiences hunger, but Kids Food Basket is changing that with its Sack Supper program, an initiative that ensures about 1,100 children at four Muskegon schools receive nutritious evening meals that families often could not otherwise afford. You can support Kids Food Basket by purchasing their holiday cards, donating, or volunteering.

A 45-year-old nonprofit organization that supports Muskegon’s Hackley Public Library by annually providing funding for hundreds of free programs for children and adults, the Friends of Hackley Public Library has numerous ways community members can donate and volunteer.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore provides everything from after-school and sports programs to meals, music and arts opportunities, nutritional classes, and more. To volunteer, please click here, and to donate, go here.

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is West Michigan’s largest nonprofit provider of education, training and career services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. From clothing donations to financial support, here are all the ways you can partner with Goodwill.

Muskegon’s YMCA offers a wide range of programs, including diabetes prevention, healthy out-of-school activities for youth, nutrition education, summer recreation programs, post-cancer fitness, and more. To find out about donating to the YMCA, please click here.

More than 21,000 adults are functionally illiterate in Muskegon County—meaning they’re reading at or below a fourth grade level. Read Muskegon is breaking the generational cycle of illiteracy by providing customized programs to meet the needs of learners. To volunteer, go here, and to donate, click here.

Pioneer Resources provides a diverse range of supports for seniors and individuals with disabilities, including supported housing, transportation services, employment opportunities, recreational programs and camps, and autism services. To volunteer, you can go here, and for more information about donating, click here.

Help Muskegon’s animals have a happy holiday this year: Noah Project, a no-kill animal shelter in Muskegon, is always looking for volunteers. To donate to Noah Project, go here. At Muskegon’s largest animal shelter, Pound Buddies, you can volunteer, foster, and donate.

Muskegon Rescue Mission—which provides food, shelter and clothing to people in need—and Every Woman’s Place—which offers support for victims of domestic violence—too are looking for volunteers and financial support. For more information regarding Muskegon Rescue Mission, please click here, and you can go here to find out about donating to, and volunteering with, Every Woman’s Place.

Throughout Muskegon, neighbors and organizations work hard to connect individuals and families with food pantries, which are almost always accepting donations. Sara Wolovlek and her husband, Damian, recently opened a “Little Free Pantry” by their home at 7th Street and Monroe Avenue in Muskegon. If you’d like to help keep the pantry stocked, you can both drop off goods at the site, or you can donate through their Go Fund Me page. Other food pantries to which you can donate are: the Muskegon Community College student food pantry, Catholic Charities West Michigan’s Loaves and Fishes food pantry, Love Inc., Fifth Reformed Church, the Muskegon Rescue Mission, and the Freddie Townsend Action Center. If there are any we missed, please let us know and we’ll add them to the list.

Santa, carriage rides, shopping & more: Celebrations throughout Muskegon

Whether you want to drink a beer (or take a photo) with Santa, find presents made by local artists, listen to holiday music, or a whole lot more, the list of holiday events happening in and around the city is nearly endless. Get out there and have fun!

Muskegon Civic Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” at the Frauenthal Center

When: Nov. 15 through Dec. 1

Where: Frauenthal Center (425 W. Western Ave.)

What: The Muskegon Civic Theatre brings to life Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s prophetic Christmas Eve. Join the local actors for this universal story of big hearts, family loyalty and second chances that continues to warm the lives of viewers the world over. Tickets are $26.50; to purchase them, click here.

Festival of Trees at the Muskegon Museum of Art

When: Wednesday, November 20 through Sunday, December 1

Where: Muskegon Museum of Art (296 W. Webster Ave.)

What: The Muskegon Museum of Art’s 15th annual Festival of Trees will get you in the Christmas spirit with a sea of professionally designed trees—most of which will be available to bid on as part of a silent auction that benefits the art museum. In addition to the trees, the festival will offer a cornucopia of special events, including a food drive, a teddy bear breakfast, a holiday concert, a pre-show cocktail hour for Muskegon Civic Theatre’s “The Christmas Carol,” visits with Santa, and much more. (More information about the special events is included below.)

The public will be able to see the festival daily from Nov. 20 through Dec. 1. The hours of admission are 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm-5pm on Sunday. It will be closed on Thanksgiving. Admission is $10 per adult, $5 for museum members, and $3 for children ages 3 to 17 (children under the age of 3 are free).

Celebrate local artists at Art Cats Gallery’s ‘Perfect Presents’ show

When: Now through Dec. 24

Where: Art Cats Gallery (1845 Lakeshore Dr.)

What: Art Cats Gallery will help you get into the holiday spirit with its newest show, “Perfect Presents,” which features an array of handmade artwork by local and national artists, including ornaments, holiday décor, jewelry, and more. Featured artists include Louise Hopson, Karen Nichols, Julie Pappuleas, Sondra Gerber, Jennifer Gould, Leandra Drumm, John Herron, and Maggie Bandstra, among many others.

The Art of Giving at Red Lotus Center for the Arts

When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-8pm

Where: Red Lotus Gallery (356 W. Western Ave.)

What: Red Lotus Center for the Arts kicks off its “Art of Giving” show with an opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 21, when you can meet the show’s artists, purchase gifts, enjoy music, and eat food from Abeshi Ghanaian Cuisine.

Artist Market at Red Lotus Center for the Arts

When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 10am-4pm

Where: Red Lotus Center for the Arts (356 W. Western Ave.)

What: Get a head start on your holiday shopping. Red Lotus Center for the Arts will be selling handmade items from local artists, including prints, jewelry, soaps, candles, ornaments, pottery, and more.

Visits with Santa at the Muskegon Museum of Art

When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2-4pm; Friday, Nov. 29, 2-4pm; Saturday, Nov. 30, 12-2pm

Where: Muskegon Museum of Art (296 W. Webster Ave.)

What: Bring the kids to spend time with Saint Nick at the Muskegon Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees.

Deck Your Halls: Holiday Decorating Demo Event

When: Sunday, November 24, 1-3pm

Where: Muskegon Museum of Art (296 W. Webster Ave.)

What: Floral designers Deb Moon from Le Fleur Shoppe and Skeeter Parkhouse from Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts will demonstrate how to create unique holiday décor during this event. Items created during the demo will be raffled to the audience. Advance tickets are $35 per person or $30 for art museum members. Call 231-720-2580 to purchase tickets.

Senior Day at Festival of Trees

When: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 10am-5pm

Where: Muskegon Museum of Art (296 W. Webster Ave.)

What: Seniors ages 65 and older will receive half-off ticket prices ($5) for museum admission. Plus, there will be free coffee and cookies, vendor giveaways, door prizes, a blood pressure clinic, and more. Please call 231-720-2571 for group bookings.

Holiday concert at the Muskegon Museum of Art

When: Friday, Nov. 29, cocktail hour at 6pm, concert at 7pm

Where: Muskegon Museum of Art (296 W. Western Ave.)

What: Julia & The Greensides and Ruth and Max Bloomquist will perform a special holiday concert. There will be a cash bar. Tickes are $12 per person (or $10 for museum members); a ticket includes admission to the Festival of Trees.

Cocktail hour with the Muskegon Museum of Art & Muskegon Civic Theatre

When: Saturday, Nov. 30, 5:30-7:30pm

Where: Muskegon Museum of Art (296 W. Western Ave.)

What: The art museum will host a festive cocktail hour, which will be free for ticket holders of the Muskegon Civic Theatre’s “The Christmas Carol” Saturday, Nov. 30 performance. Present your “Christmas Carol” ticket or pay $8 admission at the door. There will be a cash bar.

Hackley Park Christmas tree lighting (and reindeer!)

When: Saturday, Nov. 30, 5pm

Where: Hackley Park (350 W. Webster Ave.)

What: Kick off the holiday season with festive lights, hot chocolate, a friendly pair of reindeer, and Santa himself at the annual Christmas tree lighting. The event is free, open to the public, and recommended for all ages.

Black Friday in Muskegon

When: Friday, Nov. 29

Where: Throughout Muskegon

What: Instead of heading to Amazon (the website, that is, not our former knitting mill-turned-apartments!), support our locally-owned businesses right here in Muskegon. Honestly, there are way, way too many to list here, but here are some of the day’s offerings (and check out our gift guide for many more suggestions—it’s from last year, but most of it is still applicable and we’ll be publishing a new one soon!):

• Up and at ’em! Unruly Brewing will open its taproom at 7am and offer $1 off beers through noon. Plus, there will be breakfast pizza from Rebel Pies, special beer releases, live music starting at 9pm, and more.
• Keep your Black Friday going with a party at Pigeon Hill, which will celebrate its release of S’More Beast In My Cup and Cinna-Gram on French Toast beginning at 10am at its new production facility (895 4th St.). Plus, its first bottled sour beer since 2016 will join the Black Friday release lineup. At 12:30pm, remaining cans and bottles (if there are any) will move to the taproom for purchase.
• Once you’ve had your fill of Pigeon Hill beer, take a breath: it’s time for more. Rake Beer Project will be helping you with your post-turkey day hangover with a Black Friday can release, including cans of Subtlety Decay, Marley Biere (named for owner Josh Rake’s adorable pup, Marley), and Zen Lunatic.
• The Camera Shop in Muskegon is holding a “Better Than Black Friday” sale this Saturday, Nov. 23 (and you can also find Black Friday deals on Nov. 29 as well).
• Third Coast Vinyl will spin you right round, baby, right round like a record…OK, we’ll stop. But celebrate Record Store Day at Third Coast Vinyl with lots (and lots) of deals for all your vinyl-loving family and friends.
• Dance the night away at the Ultimate Taste Band’s Black Friday event at the Fraternal Order of Eagles (2355 Sherman Blvd.). There will be live music with a DJ, a cash bar, and food. Tickets are $15 each or $20 at the door. To purchase tickets ahead of time, visit the Unity Salon and Spa (183 W. Clay St.), Fancy Yancey’s Beauty Salon (2754 Peck St.) or Urban Apparel Men’s Clothing Store (2713 Peck St.). 8pm-midnight.
• Harbor Cinema will open its doors at 9am on Black Friday. All movies before noon are $30, and the first 200 guests to a movie on Black Friday will get a free pass for a future movie.

Small Business Saturday

When: Saturday, Nov. 30, times vary depending on location.

Where: Throughout Muskegon

What: Get your holiday shopping done while supporting locally owned spots throughout Muskegon. Some of the highlights include:

• Muskegon Museum of Art’s store will feature local artists and unique gifts, 10am-4pm.
• The Muskegon Farmers Market, Western Market Chalets, and Century Retail Center will have a variety of sales and holiday gifts.
• Red Lotus Center for the Arts will be selling handmade items from local artists, including art, prints, greeting cards, jewelry, soaps, candles, holiday ornaments, and more. 10am-4pm.
• The Greater Muskegon Woman’s Club’s Holiday Artisan Market will feature an eclectic variety of items created by local artists. 10am-3pm.
• Visit the shops throughout the Lakeside business district for gifts at Art Cats Gallery, Wonderland Distilling, Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts, Lakeside Emporium, The Only Cannoli, Bellasimi Boutique, and more. 10am-5pm
• Abeshi will be selling its beautiful clothing, artwork and more from Ghanaian artists on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.
• Third Coast Vinyl will have deals on gifts for all your record-loving family and friends. And don’t miss Record Store Day the day before, on Nov. 29.
• Visit Lundell Farms and check out their local produce for holiday gatherings, t-shirts, ornaments, crafts, antiques, Christmas trees and wreaths, and more. Plus, you can enjoy a hot cup of cocoa and a warm bonfire while watching the sheep play at this locally-owned farm.
• Need to take a break after all that shopping? Head to the free wine tasting at BoomTown Market.

Shop for a Cause at Art Cats Gallery

Circle of Trees and Dog Parade

When: Sunday, Dec. 1, 5-7pm

Where: North Muskegon Police Station (1114 Ruddiman Dr.) and Walker Park in North Muskegon (1522 Ruddiman Dr.)

What: The city of North Muskegon will host its annual Circle of Trees and Dog Parade. The event will kick off with the Santa/Dog Parade at the North Muskegon Police Station (1114 Ruddiman Dr.), followed by caroling at Walker Park (1522 Ruddiman Dr.). The lighting of the trees will be held at 5:45pm at Walker Park, followed by a visit with Santa from 6-7pm.

Kitchen 242 Holiday Open House

When: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 5:30-7:30pm

Where: Kitchen 242 (242 W. Western Ave., at the Muskegon Farmers’ Market site)

What: Come and meet our entrepreneurs, taste their products and purchase some for holiday gifts. Also meet many of the resources that are available to food start-up businesses: Michigan State University Product Center, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (food licensing/Food Safety), Health Department of Muskegon County (food licensing/food safety), West Michigan Shoreline Food Processing Initiative, Grand Valley State University Innovation Hub and several more. Admission is free, and there will be a cash bar.

Make your own holiday ornaments (and a whole lot more) at the Fab Lab

When: Friday, Dec. 6, 6-8pm

Where: The Fab Lab at Muskegon Community College

What: Want to make your own presents this holiday season? The Lakeshore Fab Lab has a ton of opportunities for you to do so, including at their ornaments workshop. There, you’ll be able to create your own ornaments on the Fab Lab’s epilog laser engraver. Cost is $30 or $20 for Fab Lab members. For more information about this, plus the myriad other holiday happenings they have going on, click here.

Holidays in Lakeside

When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 11am-5pm

Where: Lakeside Business District (Lakeshore Drive in Muskegon’s Lakeside neighborhood)

What: Enjoy Santa, carriage rides, a bake sale, the tree lighting, holiday shopping, and more merry-making activities at the annual Holidays in Lakeside event. Admission to all is free (though you’ll probably want to bring some money to buy holiday gifts or purchase some baked goods). The schedule of events is as follows:

• Holiday bake sale, 11am-4pm, at the Lakeside Center (1845 Lakeshore Dr.)
• Carriage rides: 12-3pm
• Meet Santa: 1-4pm at the former Max and Marley’s building (1950 Lakeshore Dr.)
• Tree lighting: 5:30pm at the Pocket Park (located next to Zaloma’s Pizza, 2009 Lakeshore Dr.)

Hackley & Hume Holiday Tours

When: Six dates from Dec. 1 through Dec. 28 (see all the dates/times by clicking here)

Where: Hackley and Hume Historic Site (484 W. Webster Ave.)

What: Experience the Hackley and Hume homes decorated for the holidays with period-appropriate artifacts, ornaments, and more. Tickets may be purchased the door and are $10 per person, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 2-12.

Drink a beer with Santa at Pigeon Hill

When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 12pm-2pm.

Where: Pigeon Hill Brewing Company (500 W. Western Ave.)

What: Bring the family into Pigeon Hill to meet Santa and fill him in on their wish lists. The brewery will have a photographer on site, and all photos will be emailed to you free of charge. In the spirit of giving, Pigeon Hill asks that you bring a bag of canned food items or a Toys For Tots donation.

Light ‘Em Up Santa Roll

When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 6-7pm

Where: Meet outside Pigeon Hill Brewing Company (500 W. Western Ave.)

What: The West Michigan Coast Riders will once again host their colorful and family-friendly nighttime bike tour—for which bikers are encouraged to decorate their bicycles with holiday lights for the night of cycling.

The West Michigan Symphony’s Sounds of the Season

When: Friday, Dec. 13, 7:30pm and Saturday, Dec. 14, 3pm

Where: Frauenthal Theater (425 W. Western Ave.)

What: A cast of young choristers, ages eight to 18, along with the full West Michigan Symphony, will warm hearts in this annual concert of seasonal favorites—from classics to beloved carols. Bring the whole family for a spellbinding evening of Yuletide magic. Tickets range from $27.50 to $64.50 for adults and $10.50 for students. For tickets, click here.

The Nutcracker at the Frauenthal Center

When: Sunday, Dec. 15, 3pm.

Where: Frauenthal Center (425 W. Western Ave.)

What: The West Michigan Youth Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” is a wonderful telling of this beloved classic tale about a little girl named Clara and the magical nutcracker doll she’s given on Christmas Eve. Come join the local performers for a journey through the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets. Tickets are $23 for adults and $12 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets are $23 for an adult and $12 for children 12 years old and younger. To purchase tickets, please click here.

Ugly Sweater Party for Toys for Tots & Kids’ Food Basket at Pigeon Hill

When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 8pm-11pm

Where: Pigeon Hill Brewing Company (500 W. Western Ave.)

What: It’s time to don your ugliest sweater for this Pigeon Hill party that will collect unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots and items for Kids’ Food Basket’s sack supper wish list. Bring a toy and/or the following items for Kids’ Food Basket (which provides meals for children throughout the Muskegon area): fruit cups or pouches, dried fruit, snack size zipper bags, toasted oat cereal, pretzel twists, Goldfish crackers or Cheez-iIs (off-brand is accepted).

Plus, stick around and see who wins the ugliest sweater prize at 10pm! There will also be a live music performance by Logan White from 8pm to 11pm.

Cocoa & Crafts: Holiday Craft Show at L.C. Walker Arena

When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 9am-3pm

Where: L.C. Walker Arena (955 Fourth St.)

What: The Muskegon Lakeshore Figure Skating Club and the L. C. Walker Arena are teaming up to bring you the first annual Cocoa & Crafts show, which will feature about 100 vendors, a hot cocoa bar, and Santa.

Yule Book Event at Hackley Public Library

When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 1-4pm

Where: Hackley Public Library (316 W. Western Ave.)

What: Inspired by Iceland’s tradition of giving and reading books on Christmas Eve, Hackley Public Library is hosting a “Yule book event,” where you can buy gifts, listen to holiday music, and make a hot cocoa reindeer craft. Friends of Hackley Library will have a wide range of books for sale for both adults and children at the event. It is free and open to the public.

Muskegon on Ice: Holidays!

When: Sunday, Dec. 15, 3:30pm

Where: L.C. Walker Arena (955 Fourth St.)

What: The Muskegon Lakeshore Figure Skating Club will perform a free holiday show for the community. The show will highlight the talents of the figure skating club’s competitive and recreational skaters, who range in age from four to 15 years old and are from Musekgon, North Muskegon, Whitehall, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Norton Shores. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is welcome.

Western Michigan Christian High School Christmas Collage at the Frauenthal

When: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7-9:30pm

Where: Frauenthal Center (425 W. Western Ave.)

What: A collage of instrumental and vocal ensembles will perform Christmas music presented by Western Michigan Christian High School. Tickets are $12 each and will go on sale Nov. 22. To purchase tickets come Nov. 22, click here.

Christmas Eve at the Frauenthal

When: Monday, Dec. 23 at 7pm; Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 2pm and 4pm.

Where: Frauenthal Theater (425 W. Western Ave.)

What: Experience Christmas Eve (and the day before Christmas Eve) at the historic Frauenthal Center, where you can enjoy favorite Christmas songs led by some of the Lakeshore’s most inspirational musicians, hear the message of Christmas, and more. The event is free and open to the public.