Tis the Season for Holiday Entertainment in Oxford

Oxford is preparing for the holiday season by providing festive entertainment for residents of all ages. From concerts and plays to gingerbread house villages, there is no reason not to catch the holiday spirit this season.

Ford Center:

This season the Ford Center for the Performing Arts is pulling out all the stops to show us that giving is really better than receiving. To purchase tickets for the following performances and events below, call the UM Box Office at (662) 915-7411.

Ford Center’s 2013 Gingerbread Village will go on display Dec. 9 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. and will run through Dec. 20.  To see the Gingerbread Village, visit the Ford Center weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

On days of Ford Center performances, it will be on display during regular box office hours. Gingerbread contest participants will be listed in the Ford Center’s event programs, have signage identifying their gingerbread house, and have permission include business flyers and coupons with their gingerbread house. Participants will also be included in the press releases and emails sent from the Ford Center, as well as posts on Ford Center social media.

The Gingerbread Village supports local food pantries by asking visitors donate non-perishable items.

Here is more information about the Gingerbread Village from the University of Mississippi:

Here is the complete schedule for the Gingerbread Village:

The Nutcracker is coming to the Ford Center on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Dance Alive National Ballet, a professional touring company based in Florida that features international, award-winning dancers, is presenting this performance. Tickets range from $39 – $50 and can be purchased through the UM Box Office.

On Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., the Holiday Choral Concert will be held at the the Ford Center. The concert features the University of Mississippi Choirs, the Mississippians Jazz Ensemble, and the Steal Drum Ensemble. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, faculty, and staff.

Oxford Christmas by the First Baptist Church will be Dec. 7 at 7p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the Ford Center. Oxford Christmas includes the First Baptist Church’s children’s choir singing with an orchestra. Free tickets can be picked up from First Baptist Church (800 Van Buren Ave.) at the end of November.

The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council:

YAC is holding its Annual Holiday Ornament Auction on Dec. 12 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center (413 South 14^th Street).

“It’s an exciting event because there will be more than 100 different hand crafted ornaments by local artists all up for bid,” said Beth Ziegenhorn, the Operation Coordinator for YAC.

Along with the handcrafted ornaments being auctioned off, YAC also presents holiday wine, cocktail and food tastings by local restaurants. This event is free to YAC members. To become a member, call (662) 236-6429.

YAC, in conjunction with Theatre Oxford, is staging “A Tuna Christmas” on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Powerhouse. “A Tuna Christmas”, written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard, is the second in a series of hilarious performances that compliment and satirically poke fun at the southern small-town lifestyle. Purchase tickets by visiting www.theatreoxford.com or calling (662) 236-6429. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for YAC members, students, and seniors.

YAC is hosting the Holiday Arts Market on Dec. 13 and 14 at the Powerhouse.  This event is co-sponsored by the Oxford Artist Guild and coincides with Theatre Oxford’s “A Tuna Christmas”. Various works and crafts from 22 different local artists will be on sale at this event.

Oxford High School Theatre:

Oxford High School’s Theatre Department is performing an original production entitled “Tis the Season: A Holiday Carol of Iconic Proportions”.  This student performance focuses on celebrating the iconic stories of Christmas with a twist.

“Told only in movement, the production essentially becomes a ballet of sorts, while giving nods to the popular characters and songs of the season,” said John Davenport, the theatre director at OHS.

Proceeds from this holiday performance will go toward fundraising for their production of “The Wizard of Oz” that the department will take to the International Fringe Festival in Scotland next summer. During the show, there will be a $500 raffle to be used at any participating business or restaurant on the Square.

Cupcakes with Santa:

On Saturday Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Oxford University School Parent Support Group is sponsoring Cupcakes with Santa at Oxford Church of Christ (409 North Lamar Blvd). Children will have the opportunity to meet, eat cupcakes, and have their picture taken with Santa. Tickets are $10 per child under 3 years of age and $25 for children 3 and up.

2013 City of Oxford Christmas Parade:

The Oxford Lions Club produces the City of Oxford annual Christmas Parade on Monday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Line-up will start at 5:30 p.m. and leave the Mid-Town Shopping Center on North Lamar at 6:30 p.m. The Christmas floats will parade down South Lamar to the Square and then west on University Avenue toward campus. The parade will end at the Gertrude C. Ford Center parking lot entrance or Old Taylor Road.

Parade applications are available at the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce (229 Jackson Ave.) or by 662-234-4651. Floats are judged before the parade and top three floats will receive a trophy, a big honor every year in Oxford.

Know of more activities going on this holiday season in the Oxford-University-Lafayette County community? Comment below or contact our associate editor, Kate, at kate.sinervo@hottytoddy.com

– Maggie Durnian is a student in the Meek School of Journalsim and New Media. She enjoys hot cocoa, caroling, and snow angels.