December events

ALL MONTH

Stark County Artists Exhibition Juried exhibition featuring paintings, photographs, ceramics, mixed media, prints, sculpture and fiber works by Stark County artists. Free. All day. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. (330) 833-4061.

ALL MONTH

Holidays on the Harbor A celebration of special events and family activities from ice skating on an outdoor rink to holiday movies on the giant Omnimax screen to breakfast with Santa. Admission is $5 and up, based on activities. Open daily noon to 5 p.m. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland. (216) 694-2000.

ALL MONTH

Wintershow Magical decorations, the city’s largest gingerbread display and shopping in the Garden Store. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland.(216) 721-1600 or visit www.cbgarden.org.

THROUGH DEC. 20

A Christmas Story Based on the beloved holiday movie, final year of this funny and nostalgic tale of growing up in the 1940s. Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. (216) 795-7000 or visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

THROUGH DEC. 13

Wicked The musical that shares what happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in. Tickets are $34.50-$130. Various showtimes. State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. (216) 771-4444 or visit www.wickedthemusical.com.

DEC. 2

Fine Wine Wednesdays Sample five regional wines from all over France, hosted by Sash Parbhoo, proprietor of Vinoteca Wine Shop. Tickets are $35 for singles or $60 per couple. 5:30-7 p.m. The Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography, 520 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. (330) 438-0030.

DEC. 4

Holiday Open House Annual Holiday Party with musical entertainment, crafts for kids, samples of hot cider and doughnuts from the open hearth, unique stocking stuffers, a reading of “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a visit from Santa. Free for members, guests are $5. 6-8 p.m. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton. (330) 455-7043.

DEC. 4

The Mathews House by Candlelight Guests are invited to experience the festival ambience of a late 19th century canal-era home. Free. 6-8 p.m. Don Cooke and Marilyn Cooke will lead a candlelight tour of Rochester Square at 6:30 p.m. 123 High St., Navarre. (330) 879-5938.

DEC. 4-20

A Christmas Carol New musical adaptation of the ghostly story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the journey toward his redemption. Tickets are $17-$22. 8 p.m. The Players Guild Theatre, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton. (330) 453-7619.

DEC. 4-6, 11-13

The Littlest Angel The story of the Shining Star of Bethlehem. Tickets are $8. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. North Canton Playhouse, 525 Seventh St. NE, North Canton. (330) 494-1613.

DEC. 4-13

2009 Winter Lights Lantern Festival Holiday festival inspired by centuries-old, cross-cultural traditions of ceremonial lighting displays. Free. All day. The Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. (877) 262-4748.

DEC. 4-23

A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens’ classic tale of one man’s ultimate redemption. Tickets are $28-$59. Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. (216) 664-6064 or visit www.greatlakestheater.org.

DEC. 5

Christmas Candlelighting Old-fashioned Christmas with annual Christmas candlelighting ceremony. Free. Historic Roscoe Village, 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton. (800) 877-1830. www.roscoevillage.com.

DEC. 5-6

39th annual American Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show and Sale All work exhibited is hand–created and represents the best of ingenuity, artistry and craftsmanship. All day. Admission fee. Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown. (330) 743-1711 or visit www.butlerart.com.

DEC. 5-6

Zoar Community Association Christmas in Zoar Carolers, crafters and cooks bring back memories of Christmases of the 1850s with the village decorated for the holidays. All day. Free. Zoar Village, State Route 212, Zoar. (800) 874-4336 or visit www.ohiohistory.org.

DEC. 5-JAN. 3

Holiday in Motion See rare, one–of–a–kind mechanical and motion Christmas decorations, antique trains, aluminum trees, vintage ornaments and Santas dating to the 1800s. All day. Admission fee. The Arms Family Museum, 648 Wick Ave., Youngstown. (330) 743-2589 or visit mahoninghistory.org.

DEC. 7

Wicked Rocks! Benefit performance performed by cast members of the First National Touring Company of “Wicked” for the Brian Werbel Memorial Fund, a foundation that supports cancer research through the Ireland Cancer Center of the University Hospitals of Cleveland. Tickets are $65. 7 p.m. Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. (216) 771-4444.

DEC. 9

International Buffet Exotic foods from Africa at the historic Hoover Lodge. Tickets are $15 for adults, $9 for chidren under 12 (under 3 free). 5:30-8 p.m. Fieldcrest of North Canton, 1346 Easthill St. SE (55th Street), North Canton. Call for reservations at (330) 966-2222.

DEC. 11-13

The Nutcracker Classic sets, elegant costumes and mystical magic bring to life young Clara’s 1860s Christmas Eve dream of the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets are $14-$22 for adults, $8-$10 for children. (330) 455-7220 or visit www.cantonballet.com.

DEC. 11-14

Quail Hollow’s Christmas at the Hollow Tour the historic Stewart Manor decorated for an old-fashioned holiday with refreshments, holiday crafts, entertainment and visits with Santa. Free. All day. 13480 Congress Lake Ave. NE, Lake Township. (330) 877-6652.

DEC. 12

Christmas at the White House Annual program filled with a historical peek at White House Christmases from Abigail Adams to Michelle Obama. Light refreshments following program in the Gallery. Tickets are $20, $18 for members. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. National First Ladies’ Library Education Building, 205 Market Ave. S, Canton. (330) 452-0876.

DEC. 12

Canton Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert Five Stark County high school choruses join Gerhardt Zimmermann for this great annual holiday tradition. Tickets are $15-$25. 8 p.m. Umstattd Hall, 2323 17th St. NW, Canton. (330) 452-2094.

DEC. 13

December Open House Tour the historic Five Oaks home decorated in all its glory. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 210 Fourth St. NE, Massillon. (330) 833-4896.

DEC. 13

About Magazine Showcase Series 2 The 26th anniversary of the Canton Symphony Chorus at our Choral Series led by Choral Director C.M. Shearer. O magnum mysterium, Choral music for the Christmas season. Free. 3 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 425 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton. (330) 452-2094. 

Dec 18

Open studios at 2nd April Galerie  The artists on the second floor of 2nd April Galerie are opening their studios and inviting you into their work environment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 18.

Watch the creative process unfold as the artists share a variety of new work — pottery, painting, sculptures, photography, fiber art, mixed media, jewelry and more.There will be light refreshments, inspiration and some interactive and hands-on activities available to stir your creative juices. Themes, topics and activities will change each week.Groups of more than 20 are welcome with advance notice.

DEC. 19

Jim Brickman Grammy nominee will play his greatest hits along with music from his new album titled “Beautiful World Christmas.” Tickets are $10-$60. Palace Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave, Cleveland. (216) 771-4444. www.jimbrickman.com.