What's Going On: A roundup of local events, including a Thanksgiving dinner
Thursday, Nov. 23
Community Thanksgiving Dinner, annual event hosted by the Salvation Army of Grand Island, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 818 W. Third St.; free; 308-382-4855.
Friday, Nov. 24
Fantasy of Trees, opening day, Stuhr Museum; exhibit remains on display through Jan. 7. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission for nonmembers is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for children 6-12. Museum closes at 3 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve and will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; 308-385-5316 or www.stuhrmuseum.org .
“Christmas Traditions,” a holiday kick-off event, 1 to 4 p.m., Kearney County Courthouse Square, Minden. Event includes live nativity, a visit with Santa and a kids carnival. Followed by the Lighted Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m.; www.mindenne.org .
Festival of Trees, 40th annual, through Jan. 2, Hastings Museum, 1330 N. Burlington Ave., Hastings. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday (closed Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). Admission (museum only) is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors age 60 and older, and $7 for children; 402-461-4692 or www.hastingsmuseum.org .
Winter Wonderland of Trees, through Dec. 31, Plainsman Museum, 210 16th St., Aurora. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older and $4 for students age 5-17; 402-694-6531 or www.plainsmanmuseum.org .
“Christmas City,” holiday lights and display, opening night, 6 p.m. (dusk) through 11 p.m., daily through Jan. 1, Comstock. Display includes 20 blocks of more than 50 themed scenes; a mile of lights; antique vehicles and campers; and more than 400 inflatables (but not when it’s too windy). Walk or drive; the walk takes about an hour, the drive 30 minutes; free.
Saturday, Nov. 25
“Light of the World” Christmas pageant, 7 p.m., Kearney County Courthouse square, Minden (presented also on Sundays Dec. 3 and 10); www.mindenne.org .
“Country Christmas,” 4 to 7 p.m., Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park (11⁄2 miles south of the Henderson I-80 Exit 342 on spur 93A). Event features dozens of trees throughout the park decorated by community volunteers, businesses and organizations; visit from Santa, Christmas Music at the Country Church, refreshments and more. Admission is $10 for adults; free for kids 12 and younger accompanied by an adult; Suzanne Ratzlaff, 402-723-4398.
“Come Home to Christmas,” 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Aurora. Activities include a visit from Santa, carriage rides, Winter Wonderland of Trees at Plainsman Museum, Christmas character pop-ups, live nativity, and the Christmas Light Countdown at 6 p.m., followed by the lighted tractor parade; Aurora Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or auroranebraksa.com .
“Days of Christmas Past: 150 Years in Valley County” Holiday Parade of Lights, and Winterfest 2023, hosted by the Ord Chamber of Commerce, dusk, Ord; chamber.ordnebraska.com .
Sunday, Nov. 26
Daniel Martinez, flamenco guitar and Christmas music, 2 p.m., Central City Performing Arts Center, Edwin and Bernice Lock Theatre, Central City. Single performance tickets for $15 for adults (students admitted free); season memberships still available; 308-940-0274 or .
“A Nebraska Brass Christmas,” presented by the Nebraska Brass, 2 p.m., Minden Opera House, 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. Tickets are $18; 308-832-0588 or mindenoperahouse.com .
Artist reception for Betty Kort and Peter Hedstrom, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Minden Opera House, 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. Light refreshment; free; 308-832-0588 or mindenoperahouse.com .
Bingo, 2 p.m., United Veterans Club, 1914 W. Capital, Grand Island. Doors open at 1; open to the public; 308-381-1555.
Tuesday, Nov. 28
Grand Island Senior High Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m., GISH Auditorium; 308-385-5950
Hastings College Campus Lighting, 7:30 p.m., French Memorial Chapel, 800 N. Turner Ave., Hastings. A campus tradition that is open to the community. Music, carols and fun in the chapel before everyone moves outside for the lighting.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Grand Island Senior High Band Concert, 7 p.m., GISH Auditorium; 308-385-5950.
UNK Jazz Combo Concert, 7:30 p.m., University of Nebraska at Kearney Fine Arts Recital Hall; free; 308-865-8618.
Thursday, Nov. 30
Danish Christmas Celebration, 4 to 9 p.m., Dannebrog. Event includes aebleskiver meal, 5 to 8 p.m., vendors for holiday shopping, pizza night at the Danish bakery, tree lighting, visit from Santa and more.
“Ricky Nelson Remembered,” starring Matthew & Gunnar Nelson (Ricky’s twin sons), 2 and 7 p.m., Merryman Performing Arts Center, 225 W. 22nd St. Kearney. Tickets range from $34 to $44; box office, 308-698-8297, or online at merrymancenter.org .
Tabitha’s Closet, free clothing giveaway, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Stolley Park Church of Christ, 2822 W. Stolley Park Road, Grand Island. Clothing donations accepted; no housewares; 308-384-2613.
Bingo, 7 p.m., United Veterans Club, 1914 W. Capital, Grand Island. Doors open at 6; open to the public; 308-381-1555.
On Display
“Willa Cather and Material Culture: A Sesquicentennial Reflection,” through Nov. 30, Grand Island Public Library, 1124 W. Second St. Exhibit features intimate portraits of scenes and objects from Cather’s beloved hometown of Red Cloud, including photographs by Betty Kort. Library hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 308-385-5333.
“Artist From Outside: Take a Breath,” featuring the works of Michael Fortenberry, visiting instructor of visual arts–sculpture, through Dec. 12, Hastings College Jackson Dinsdale Art Center west gallery, 700 E. 12th St., Hastings. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; free.
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