What's Going on In & Around Springfield, Mo December 7, 8 and 9, 2012

It is the Christmas season here in the Ozarks! Here is What is Going on In and Around Springfield, Mo this gorgeous weekend. There are so many events to choose from.   Silver Dollar City $30 tickets Thursday, Friday, and Sunday during the Christmas season!

Nixa: Live Band Dance,7pm-9:30pm, Nixa Senior Center, 404 S. Main St. 417-725-2322 There is a cover charge.

Bob Hammons and Wildwood Band, 7pm at the Ozark Senior Center, 727 N. Ninth St.  Admission $3, 417-581-2538.

Forth Annual Reindeer Run 5K, 7pm at J.R. Martin Park, 300 E. Hines St.  Fee $20, or $10 with a gift donation.

A Christmas Carol, presented by Skinny Improv Comedy Theatre, 8pm, December 7 and 8th, at the Skinny Improv, 306 South Ave.    Tickets, $12, $10 for students.    417-831-5233, or email.

First Friday Live at the Gillioz Concert Series with J-None and Cameron Thomas, 9pm,  Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East. Tickets: $3 for kids under 21, free to anyone over 21, 417-863-9491.

First Friday Art Walk, a self guided art gallery tour, 6 to10 pm, downtown Springfield.   Features art, live music, and hands on activities at several venues.    Exhibits remain at galleries though the month.    FREE 417-862-2787 ext. 25.  

Saturday, December 1

Civil War Christmas Tour, 7 to 8:30pm, December 8, 3575 N. Smallin Rd. Features hot cocoa around the campfire, stories of American soldiers at Christmas during the Civil War and a lantern-light tour of the cave. Tickets $19.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids. 417-551-4545.

Art at the Market Event, 9am to 1pm, Farmer's Market of the Ozarks.    4139 S. Nature Center Way.    Featires Christmas caroling, Christmas Cookie contest, sampling throughout the market, and artisan gift baskets.   Free Admission.     417-766-8711.   

Monthly Breakfast, 7-9am, Ozark Senior Center, 7272 N. 9th St.  Cost: $4, $2 for children.   417-581-2538.

Clever Bands 2nd Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar, 8am to 2pm, Clever High School, on Missouri 14.   Features handcrafted items, raffles, bake sale, silent auction.   417-225-8613 or email.

9th Annual Memorial Luminary Driving Tour, 4:30pm Opening Ceremony at the Park's Visitor Center.   Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Missouri ZZ and FR 182.      The driving tour features more than 2539 luminaries representing those killed, wounded, or missing at the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861.   Living history volunteers, carolers and re-enactors will be present at the Ray House.    Music, refreshments, and information will be provided at the Vistor's Center.   417-732-2662. 

Festival of Lights free Ice Skating, 3-4pm at Mediacom Ice Park at 635 E. Trafficway.   Free admission, skate rental is $2.50   417-866-7444.  

Frosty Paws 5K 8am to noon, Nathanael Greene Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic. Entry fee, $25 for dog and handler, or $15 for dog and handler under the age of 12.   417-988-4441

Imagine 2012, a tribute to music of John Lennon, 7pm, Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East.   A silent auction and reception begins at 6pm.   Tickets $10.    417-863-9491.  

 Parkview High School Viking Craft Show, 8am, Parkview High School gymnasium, 516 W. Meadowmere St.    Freatures handcrafted itms, 417-523-9200.

Springfield Christmas Parade with the theme of A Christmas Wish for Every Child, 2pm, downtown Springfield and Park Center Square.   Grand marshal is Doug Pitt.   Features more than 60 floats, 10 marching bands, and Santa.    FREE   417-831-6200.

Evening Scroll, 6-9pm, Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way. FREE! 417-888-4237.

Christmas at the Farm, noon-4pm, December 1 and 2nd. Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, 3825 W. Farm Rd 146. Features holiday crafts, photos with Santa, petting zoo. Free admission to the park, small fee required for some activities. 417-837-5949 and is Sponsored by the Springfield Park Board.

Nixa: Live Band Dance,7pm,Nixa Senior Center, 404 S. Main St. Cover charge. 417-725-2322.

Sunday, December 2

20th Annual Hollister Santa Train, 1:30 to 3pm, Hollister Train Depot, Esplanade St.   Children are invited to climb aboard the train to visit with Santa.   Snacks and goodie bags provided to each child.   Free, 417-334-3050.

Sunday Concert Series: Red Bridge Bluegrass concert, 2pm, Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, FREE 417-882-0714

Silver Dollar City: An Old Time Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City,

399 Silver Dollar City Parkway. Festival runs through December 30 and features a special effects Christmas Tree, a new production of "It's a Wonderful Life", a holiday light
parade, "A Christmas Carol, and 4 Million lights. Park is open Thursday thru Sunday though December 23, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Open daily December 26-30. One -day ticket (tax not included) $56, $46 for ages 4 -11, $54 for ages 62 and older, free to ages 3 and younger.

Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through, dusk - 11pm, daily through January 2, on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Roark Valley Rd. A one-mile drive along a path of illuminated with more than 175 displays. Admission is $12 for a family vehicle, $25 for a family season pass, $30 church vans and limos.

The Polar Express, now through December 22, Branson Scenic Railway at 206 Main St. Admission: $34 (tax not included), $24 for ages 2-12. 1-800-287-2462.

Santa at Branson Landing Santa is in and out at the Branson Landing

The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights dusk daily through December 31, at the Shepherd of the Hills homestead, 5586 W. Missouri 76. 417-334-4191.

Splash's Winter Wonderland and Holiday Light Tours, through December 9, Duck Dock, 2320 W. Missouri 76, Tickets, tax not included, $16, $10 for ages 4-11, and free for ages 3 and younger. 877-887-8225.

Titanic Christmas and Winter Celebration, 9am to close, daily through December 31, Titanic Museum Attraction, 3235 W. Missouri 76. 1800-381-7670