Weekly guide: Things to do in the region

Middletown's 15th Santa Parade kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 from MidPointe Library and concludes at Manchester Avenue. Middletown native Kyle Schwarber will serve as grand marshal of the Santa Parade after helping the Philadelphia Phillies to their first postseason since 2011. Besides Schwarber, the parade will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus riding in a Middletown fire truck, numerous floats, characters in costumes, musical groups and dance teams. When the parade ends, the official city of Middletown Christmas tree will be lit. NICK GRAHAM/FILE PHOTO

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Middletown's 15th Santa Parade kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 from MidPointe Library and concludes at Manchester Avenue. Middletown native Kyle Schwarber will serve as grand marshal of the Santa Parade after helping the Philadelphia Phillies to their first postseason since 2011. Besides Schwarber, the parade will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus riding in a Middletown fire truck, numerous floats, characters in costumes, musical groups and dance teams. When the parade ends, the official city of Middletown Christmas tree will be lit. NICK GRAHAM/FILE PHOTO

The following is a list of things to do in Butler and Warren counties. To see more or submit an event, go online to journal-news.com/events.

TODAY

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.
  • Holiday Lights, at Bridgewater Falls Lifestyle Center, Princeton Road, Fairfield Twp. 7 to 9 p.m.
  • 33 People, at The Windamere, 2 S. Main St., Middletown. 8 p.m. Admission $10.

NOV. 26

  • 45th Annual Christmas in the Country, on Ohio 126, Shandon. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be free carriage rides, a train display, crafts and more.
  • Meditation and Mindfulness Practice, at Miami Regionals Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St., Hamilton. 2 p.m.
  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.
  • The City of Middletown 15th Santa Parade kicks off at from MidPointe Library and concludes at Manchester Avenue. 4 p.m.
  • Parade of Lights, at Village Green Park and Fairfield Community Arts Center, Wessel Drive, Fairfield. 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Fred Bay Observatory open for viewing the night skies, at Hisey Park, 5443 Middletown Road, Oregonia. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
  • Hotel California: the Original Eagles Tribute, at Sorg Opera House, 63 S. Main St., Middletown. 8 p.m. sorgoperahouse.org

NOV. 26-27

  • St. Aloysius Church Christmas in the Country, at 3350 Chapel Road, Shandon. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27. Country crafts and homemade food.

NOV. 27

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

NOV. 28

  • Handel’s Messiah featuring Megan Moore, at Hall Auditorium, Miami University, Oxford. 7:30 p.m.

NOV. 29

  • Albanian Discoveries: The Excavation of the Unknown Temple of Apollonia, in Gardner-Harvey Library, Miami University Middletown, 4200 N. University Blvd. 6:30 p.m. Zoom and in person. Free. miamioh.edu
  • DIY Holiday Decor at Hamilton’s Urban Backyard, 501 Main St., Hamilton. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Create a holiday sign or door hanger. abby@creativeathomeart.com

NOV. 30

  • Verity Traditions present “Strange, but True: Oddities from Middletown’s History,” at Miami University Middletown, 4200 N. University Blvd. 6 p.m. Light meal is served at 5:45 p.m. for the first 60 attendees.
  • Miami University Performing Arts Series presents Megan Moore, mezzo-soprano, at Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave. 7:30 p.m. oxarts.org

DEC. 1

  • Learn it at Lunch - Does Prescribed Burning Help as Much as We Once Thought?, at Hamilton Conservatory, Miami University Hamilton, 1601 University Blvd. Noon.
  • A Very Merry Takeover with the Naked Karate Girls, at The Square @ Union Centre, 9285 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester Twp. 6 to 9 p.m. Official lighting of The Square. Visits from Santa Claus and his reindeer friends.
  • After Hours Wedding Show, at Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. 6 to 9:30 p.m. fittoncenter.org
  • Sizzle!, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. 7 p.m. Join Tina Jones and Pastor Joe Kay along with local rap artists, singers and other performers as they present a program of gospel, comedy and motivation.

DEC. 2

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.
  • Red Door Community Concert, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 25 E. Walnut St., Oxford. 12:15 p.m. Music by Miami Valley Klezmer Band. Free
  • Regionals Exploration Day, Miami University Regionals’ Middletown Campus, 4200 N. University Blvd. 12:30-4:30 p.m. 513-785-3111
  • Fitton Family Fridays presents A Seussified Christmas Carol, at Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. 7:30 p.m. fittoncenter.org

DEC. 2-3

  • Hamilton Christkindlmarkt, at Butler County Fairgrounds, Hamilton. 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 3. Admission is $1 for ages 12 and older.

DEC. 2-4 AND DEC. 9-11

  • Performing Arts Academy present “Elf - the Musical, Jr.,” at 4400 Lewis St., Middletown. theperformingartsacademy.com

DEC. 3

  • Saturday with Santa, at Liberty Heights Church, 7904 Princeton Road, Liberty Twp. 8 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets must be purchased online at liberty-township.com.
  • Breakfast with Santa, at Fairfield Civitan Club, 1381 Hunter Drive, Fairfield. 8 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for kids, which includes a picture with Santa. Proceeds benefit the Purple Monkey Project and Civitan Club.
  • Oxford Holiday Festival, at Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., Oxford. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be craft market 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., pictures with Santa noon to 2 p.m., and Kids Korner at art center. Carriage rides, music and Santa’s arrival at 5:30 p.m. by firetruck with the lighting of Oxford will be held Uptown, 2 E. High St.
  • Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival, in downtown Lebanon. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Entertainment and vendors will be along Mulberry and Mechanic Streets. Parades will be held at 1 and 7 p.m. lebanonchamber.org
  • Christmas Craft Fair, at Countryside YMCA, 1699 Deerfield Road, Lebanon. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Meditation and Mindfulness Practice, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. 2 p.m.
  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 4

  • The 31st Annual Hamilton German Village Christmas Walk, in German Village Historical District. Noon to 5 p.m. There will be live music, face painters, horse drawn carriage rides, and vendors.
  • Mason Dance Center Nutcracker Tea, at 600 Reading Road, Suite B, Mason. Choose either 1:30-3 p.m., or 3:30-5 p.m. Feature finger food, fun craft, meet the character experience and character reading of the Nutcracker Story. masondance.com
  • Butler County Warbirds of Middletown presents 2nd annual Cookies with Santa, at Middletown Regional Airport, 2351 Wedekind Drive, Middletown. 2 p.m. Have cookies and hot chocolate with St. Nick. Santa’s elves will drop in from their parachutes about 2:30 p.m. Free
  • “A Most Wonderful Christmas,” presented by the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band, at Dave Finkelman Auditorium, Miami University Middletown, 4200 N. University Blvd. 2:30 p.m. Free. A visit from Santa and a free reception follows the concert. sosband.org
  • South Main Candlelight Tour of Homes, Middletown. 3 to 8 p.m. Enjoy an inside look at some of the area’s most historic homes and buildings. thewindamere.ticketspice.com/south-main-candlelight-tour-of-homes
  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 6

  • Down Home, Downtown, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. 7 p.m. Music by the Forest Hills Bluegrass Band.

DEC. 7

  • Celebrating Self presents Christmas Lunch with the Buckeye Santas, at Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. 11:30 a.m. fittoncenter.org

DEC. 8

  • A Very Merry Takeover with music by Elf DJ, at The Square @ Union Centre, 9285 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester Twp. 6 to 9 p.m.

DEC. 8-11

  • Inspiring Arts presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever the Musical.”
  • Rise Up Performing Arts presents “Holiday Inn,” at Sorg Opera House, 63 S. Main St., Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org

DEC. 9

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 9-10, AND DEC. 16-17

  • Middletown Lyric Theatre presents “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” at 1530 Central Ave., Middletown. middletownlyric.org or call 513-425-7140

DEC. 10

  • Meditation and Mindfulness Practice, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. 2 p.m.
  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.
  • Illuminate Hamilton, in downtown Hamilton. 5 to 9 p.m. Stroll the streets of downtown Hamilton by the warm glow of luminary light. Features a laser light show projected on the county courthouse.
  • Creativa Convergence, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. Sing up for this open-mic program begins at 7 p.m. Performances start at 7:30 p.m.
  • Fitton Showstoppers presents A Motown Christmas, at Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. 7:30 p.m. fittoncenter.org

DEC. 11

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 14

  • SongFarmers, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. 7 p.m. An acoustic jam session.

DEC. 15-18

  • INNOVATheatre presents “Miracle on 34th Street,” at Sorg Opera House, 63 S. Main St., Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org

DEC. 16

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 17

  • Meditation and Mindfulness Practice, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. 2 p.m.
  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.
  • Hueston Woods State Park Drive-In Movie, at the beach, 6301 Park Office Road, College Corner. First movie starts at 5 p.m. Showing the Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There will be food trucks.
  • Fred Bay Observatory open for viewing the night skies, at Hisey Park, 5443 Middletown Road, Oregonia. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

DEC. 18

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 3:15 to 5 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 21

  • Middletown Holiday Whopla Choir Off, at Sorg Opera House, 63 S. Main St., Middletown. 6 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Sorg Opera House revitalization fund and Holiday Whopla fund. sorgoperahouse.org

DEC. 23

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 27

  • Music Café Finale, at Miami Regional Downtown Hamilton, 221 High St. 7 p.m. The final show after 23 years.

DEC. 30

  • Public Skate Session, at Goggin Ice Center, 610 S. Oak St., Oxford. 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. For all ages and experience levels.

DEC. 31

  • Jazz & Cabaret present New Years Eve, at Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. 8 p.m. fittoncenter.org

            This list of events is created from information submitted to the Journal-News. To submit an activity for consideration of publication, or to see an online list, visit journal-news.com/events.

            About the Author