From a million-light train ride in Silverhill to barbershop harmony in Fairhope, the Mobile and Baldwin County area packs the rest of December with holiday happenings. Here’s a rundown of what’s on — most events are free or modestly priced, though details can change.
Christmas Eve and Beyond
Arctic Express at Wales West — The sixth annual Arctic Express train rides run Friday, December 24, 4–9 p.m. at Wales West Light Railway (13670 Smiley St., Silverhill) with Emerson Farms: visits with Santa, a million lights, a snowball cannon, petting zoo, live animal nativity and pony rides; $10, with group discounts available. 866-569-5337.
Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath — Through New Year’s Eve, Bellingrath Gardens and Home (12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd., Theodore) displays 928 light creations made from 3 million bulbs across its 65 acres, with home tours until 8 p.m., choral performances on the South Terrace and supper at the Magnolia Café. Open 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; closed December 25. Admission $12 adults / $6.50 children for gardens only; $20 / $12 with the Home tour.
Noel Concept — Mobile Museum of Art’s Education Gallery (4850 Museum Dr.) hosts the exhibit through January 14; open Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun 1–5 p.m. Adults $10; seniors and military $8; students $6.
Music Across Two Counties
Advent Music — Pianist Bob Holm and violinist Enen Yu perform Wednesday, December 15 at noon at Christ Church Cathedral (115 S. Conception St.), preceded by a Holy Eucharist in the chapel and followed by lunch in the Chapter House.
Pride of Mobile Chorus — “The Secret of Christmas,” a four-part barbershop program, plays Thursday, December 16 at 7 p.m. at the Nix Center (1 Bayou Dr., Fairhope) and again Saturday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the VIA Health Fitness & Enrichment Center (1717 Dauphin St.), with guests Sound of the Bay Chorus and 4 Old Hearts; admission is a nonperishable food item.
Messiah Sing — The Eastern Shore Choral Society leads a 2010 “Messiah” sing Thursday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis at the Point (17280 Scenic Hwy. 98, Point Clear), weaving history of the oratorio between audience-sung choruses. Free; donations benefit the society’s scholarship fund for Baldwin County vocal students.
Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas — Drummer John Milham, pianist Chris Spies, bassist Tommy Sciple and vocalist Sasha Misakowski perform Vince Guaraldi’s music Friday, December 18 at 7 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre (6 S. Joachim St.), with special guests Roman Street and the Jubilee Children’s Chorus. $10 advance / $15 day of show / $5 kids 12 and under.
Baldwin County Youth Orchestra — Christmas concert Sunday, December 20 at 6 p.m. at Faulkner State Community College’s Centennial Hall in Fairhope.
Holiday Jazz for Scholarships — Jeanine “Dr. Jazz” Normand performs her own arrangements Sunday, December 20, 2:30–4:30 p.m. at Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship (1150 Fairhope Ave.), mixing carols with jazz standards; proceeds benefit the Faulkner State nursing scholarship fund. Free, donations welcome.
Lessons and Carols — Sanctuary Choir and members of the Greater Mobile Bay Area Choral Society with chamber orchestra, directed by Terry Maddox, sing Sunday, December 20 at 10:45 a.m. at Government Street Presbyterian Church (300 Government St.), including Rutter’s Carol of the Magi.
Theater, Film and Family Fun
Christmas Café Comedy — Drama Camp Productions & Sunny Side Theater stage Burton Bumgarner’s comedy Thursday–Friday, December 17–18 at 7 p.m. at Murphy High School’s Lois Jean Delaney Auditorium (100 S. Carlen St.); $5.
Grinch and White Christmas films — The Saenger Theatre’s Christmas Film Series screens The Grinch Friday, December 18 at 7 p.m. and White Christmas Sunday, December 20 at 3 p.m.; $6 adults, $3 seniors and children.
Scrooge at Joe Jefferson Playhouse — Scott Morlock’s Scrooge, based on Dickens, runs December 18–19 at 8 p.m. and December 20 at 2 p.m. (11 S. Carlen St.); $15 adults, $10 kids 12 and under, canned goods accepted for the Bay Area Food Bank.
A Tudor Christmas — A seven-course medieval-style feast with Celtic artists Mithril, madrigal singers, sword fights and a court jester, 7 p.m. Friday, December 18 at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer (7125 Hitt Rd.); $60.
A Dickens Christmas in Bay Minette — First United Methodist Church (120 W. 2nd St.) recreates an 1876 celebration with period food, costumes and music, 6–8 p.m. Sunday, December 20.
Candlelight Service — First Baptist Church of Mobile (806 Government St.) holds its Christmas Candlelight Service at 5 p.m. Sunday, December 20.
Downtown Celebrations and New Year’s Week
Holiday Market & Parade — Saturday, December 19 brings the city Holiday Market to Cathedral Square, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with local produce, seafood, crafts and live music ahead of the Christmas and Holiday Parade, which steps off at 1:30 p.m. from the Mobile Civic Center and loops through downtown streets.
Christmas Night Bash — Doug Previto and the Family Jewels play Veet’s Bar & Grill (66 S. Royal St.) from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on December 25.
New Year’s Dance — The Azalea Ballroom Dance Club hosts a formal dance Tuesday, December 29, 7–10 p.m. at Elks Lodge 108 (2671 Dauphin Island Pkwy.) with Jack Randolph and the Exit 105 Band; $5 members / $10 nonmembers.