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Holiday Family Fun
Snow in Overton Square, safely play in the snow at The Square every Sunday until Christmas for socially-distanced fun and holiday photos. Free. Overton Square, Midtown. Free. Starting Sunday, Dec. 6, 4-6 p.m. and continues every Sunday through December. overtonsquare.com.
Outdoor Holiday Movie Series, bring your own blankets or chairs, and enjoy Home Alone Lost in NY, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and It's a Wonderful Life. Free. Fridays, Dec. 4, 11, and 18, 7 p.m. overtonsquare.com.
Christmas Movies, bring the family for a holiday movie in the yard on the big screen. Free. Railgarten, 2166 Central. 504-4342.
The Children's Ballet Theater Live Nutcracker: Botanic Holiday Wonders Light Show, enjoy a fun, safe night with the family for a live holiday performance with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Gardens. $25, free for kids ages 2 and under. Sunday, Dec. 6, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry. 921-0388.
The Children's Ballet Theater Nutcracker, this fundraiser film of the classical ballet story tells the timeless tale of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker Doll as she is transported through time. $35. Tuesday, Dec. 8, 6:15-8 p.m. Malco Summer 4 Drive-In, 5310 Summer. 921-0388.
New Ballet’s Nut Remix, set on Beale Street, a modern reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker featuring music and dance styles from Ballet to Breakdancing and Flamenco to Memphis Jookin. $40 per car. Thursday, Dec. 10 and 17, 6:30 p.m. Malco Summer 4 Drive-In, 5310 Summer. 921-0388.
Nutcracker: A Gift from Ballet Memphis, a new film version of the classic story ballet that promises a new experience to delight this holiday season. Filmed at the historic Mallory-Neely House and the Ballet Memphis studio, this version will feature the original music of Tchaikovsky performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the entire Ballet Memphis professional company. Free. Friday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. on WKNO and WKNO2 or stream the performance anytime on Ballet Memphis' digital channels. balletmemphis.org.
Children's Ballet Theater Movie Vignettes: Nutcracker, enjoy the movie and then watch the characters come to life in the gardens plus My Big Backyard light show with live Nutcracker vignettes. $25. Sunday, Dec. 13, 4:45 p.m. Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry. 921-0388.
Wonderland: An Interactive Holiday Photo Experience, immersive holiday photo experience from the minds of Memphis Escape Rooms. Located on the corner across from Forever 21 and H&M. Book your experience today. Through Jan. 10. and Socially Distant Santa, the jolly old soul arrives in-person the weekend before Black Friday. Check Carriage Crossing's event page for the schedule, photo, package pricing, and private appointment booking. Through Dec. 24. Carriage Crossing, Houston Levee & Bill Morris Parkway. 854-8240.
Winter Wonderland, expect the unexpected with magical visits from favorite seasonal characters. Wear your ugly (or not so ugly) sweater to have your socially-distanced picture taken with Santa each Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Activities include crafts, animated story times, interactive games, scavenger hunts, and live holiday performances. Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewers is also on exhibition. Food trucks will be on campus. $15. Tuesday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Jan. 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Children's Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central. 458-2678.
Zoo Lights, sparkling and festive displays deck the Memphis Zoo with holiday cheer. A winter wonderland of over 1M lights await you, along with the big man himself, Santa Claus. Visit on select nights. Zoo Lights closed Dec. 9, 10, 24, and 31. $10. Through Dec. 29. Fridays-Sundays, 6-9:30 p.m. and Mondays, Tuesdays, 6-9:30 p.m. Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place in Overton Park. 333-6500.
Holiday Wonders at the Garden, annual, outdoor holiday light show featuring 30 nights of activities in three venues; Snowy Nights in My Backyard, Under the Stars outdoor lounge, and the City of Memphis Christmas Tree. $10. Through Dec. 26, Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry. 636-4120.
Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees, exhibit benefitting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Photos with Santa, pandemic style, with Santa behind a Plexiglass shield that looks like a holiday snow globe. $6. Through Dec. 31. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 636-2362.
Santa’s Wonderland, a magical Christmas pop-up village featuring Santa visit and photo, customized digital video, letters to Santa, and holiday craft activity kits. Free. Through Dec. 24. 1 Bass Pro. 291-8200.
Santa Visits
Breakfast or Dinner with Santa, enjoy an Italian inspired family-style meal and time with the Zoo's favorite characters before Santa arrives. Santa will be available for photos during dinner and each child in attendance will receive a special gift. $35 members, $40 nonmembers. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 11-20, 9 a.m. (breakfast) or 7:30 p.m. (dinner). 333-6500.
Breakfast with Santa 2020, have breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus before having your picture made with Santa. The museum will be open with lots of holiday fun. $15. Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The Fire Museum of Memphis, 118 Adams. 636-5650.
Drive-thru Santa Express, Children and families can visit Santa and have their pictures with him from the comfort and safety of their vehicles. Participants will receive special treats and are encouraged to wear their festive attire and decorate their cars to get into the holiday spirit. $25 per vehicle. Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. Junior League of Memphis Community Resource Center 3475 Central. 452-2152.
Holiday Shopping
Arrow Creative Holiday Bazaar, featuring over 85 local creatives on display from fine art to home goods to jewelry. Through Dec 25. Arrow Creative, 2535 Broad.
Holiday Artist Market, shop local for everyone on your shopping list at the Memphis Arts Collective holiday market. Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. through Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m. Poplar Plaza Shopping inside former Spin Street location, 3484 Poplar. 327-8730.
Holiday Artisan Market, shop Levitt Shell inspired works from local makers. Through Dec 30. levittshell.org.
Jingle & Mingle Pop-up Shop, day of shopping and socializing with local small business featuring vendors from all over the mid-south and a variety of products including homemade candles, Jewelry, custom nails, makeup, accessories, gift baskets, food, and more. Free. Saturday-Sunday, December 12-13, noon-5 p.m. 912 Social Club, 912 Kelley. vibewscents@gmail.com.
For a full listing, check out our calendar of events. Also, check the Memphis Parent Facebook Page for information and giveaways. Be sure to tag your favorite family-fun Instagram photos with the #memphisparent hashtag. I hope you have a great week.