Tag Archives: Christmas with kids

2015 Lubbock Area Holiday Performing Arts Guide for Kids & Families

FaLaLa Slide

Fa La La La Lubbock!  Take a holiday season time-out to enjoy the Fine Arts boom we enjoy in the Lubbock area… where holiday-themed performances in theatre, dance, music, and arts abound!

Holiday concerts are frequently a child’s first experience in a concert hall… a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the entire family’s appreciation and interest in the arts. And almost all are family-friendly and affordable!  Whether it’s the majesty of the full symphony orchestra or the acoustic sounds of the season in a neighborhood church, take a breath and enjoy the richness that the season brings!  So many opportunities to share old favorites or create new holiday arts traditions that our kids will introduce to their own families!

Note:  Events are in order by opening date and include links for ticket information.  And check our super-sized, searchable Sights and Sounds of the Season section for dozens more ideas for winter fun – search by child’s age, interests and dates!

“Coney Island Christmas” presented by Lubbock Community Theatre.
Dec. 3-6 and 10-13 @ The Lubbock Community Theatre (42nd & Boston).
Thurs, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Rated G. $10 Child / $15 Adult.
A holiday show for people of all ages and all faiths, CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS introduces us to Shirley Abramowitz, a young Jewish girl who (much to her immigrant parents’ exasperation) is cast as Jesus in the school’s Christmas pageant. As Shirley, now much older, recounts the memorable story to her great-granddaughter.  Tickets available online.

“A Christmas Story” presented by Children and Adults Theatrical Studios (CATS Playhouse).
Fri.12/4, Sat.12/5 & Sun. 12/6 and Fri. 12/11 & Sun.12/13 @ CATS Playhouse
2257 34th St.
Friday & Saturday performances are at 7:30pm. Sunday performances are at 2:30pm. Adults $10, Students/Seniors $7. Purchase tickets online.
Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Directed by Lisa Hernandez.

The Nutcracker Ballet – performed by Ballet Lubbock.
Thurs. 12/10 – Sun. 12/13.
All performances are @ the Civic Center Theatre.
It’s not Christmas until you’ve seen The Nutcracker!  Lubbock’s favorite holiday tradition. Tickets available through Select-a-seat and through the Ballet Lubbock website.

The Nutcracker presented by Ballet Lubbock

Ballet Lubbock’s ‘The Nutcracker’ (Facebook)

“Cactus Family Christmas” Concert.
Sat. 12/5 & 12/12; Thurs. 12/17; Tues. 12/22 & Wed. 12/23 @ 7:30pm.
All performances are at The Cactus Theater.
$15 / child (9 & under), $25 / ages 10 & up.
Continuing the Cactus tradition…  Join the Cactus stars, along with our newest faces from 2015, as they “don” the stage for a spectacular Christmas celebration presenting traditional holiday classics as well as contemporary favorites.  These concerts always sell out, so get your tickets early!  Call 806-762-3233 or go online for tickets.

Annual Caprock Celtic Christmas Concert.
Sat. 12/12 from 7-9pm: Annual Caprock Celtic Christmas concert @ the Maedgen Theater at Texas Tech. Students (with ID) free. Adults $10.50. Seniors $4.50.
Singers, players, dancers, storytellers, and more gather to perform traditional repertoires of the session, instrumental dance tunes and slow airs, and much more. For tickets call: 770-2000 or purchase online.

Flying J Wranglers’ Western Christmas Concert.
Sun. 12/13 @ the Cactus Theater.  $25.
The Flying J Wranglers from Ruidoso, NM and the Cactus Theater proudly bring you the annual Flying J Wranglers’ Western Christmas.  A holiday show that features rich melodious western yodeling, vocals, fiddle and guitars in a program of tradition favorites and new and classic western/cowboy Christmas songs, instrumentals and homespun comedy.  For a really special holiday treat, catch the lighthearted antics of the Wranglers this holiday season. Call 806-762-3233 or go online for tickets.

The Lubbock Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Chamber Concert.
Tues. 12/15, 7:30pm @ St. John’s United Methodist Church (University & 15th Street).
Student $10, Adult $20.
Lubbock’s favorite annual holiday concert is sure to become your new tradition. Five of the finest brass musicians in North America invite you to join them in celebrating the season at this entertaining and informative evening. Featured twice on Performance Today, an NPR syndicated broadcast, the LSO Brass Quintet will definitely put you in the holiday spirit. This narrated performance features holiday selections from a variety of periods and styles.  Bring your family members and friends to this very special night of seasonal music. Tickets available through Select-A-Seat and online.

Annual Dean Killion Memorial Scholarship Concert.
Tues. 12/15 @ 7:30pm (West doors open at 7pm).
Admission is FREE; however, donations will be accepted for the Killion Scholarship Fund.
The Westwinds Brass Band Presents its Annual Dean Killion Memorial Scholarship Concert @ the Texas Tech Museum in the Helen DeVitt Jones Auditorium! . Enjoy traditional brass band favorites, marches, overtures, music from Broadway musicals, and a wide variety of sacred and secular Christmas music.

“Cactus Kids Christmas Celebration” Concert.
Sun. & Mon. 12/20 & 12/21, 7:30pm @ The Cactus Theater.
$15 / child (9 & under), $25 / ages 10 & up.
If you have never seen a Cactus Kids Christmas Concert, you are in for a real treat!  This is not just your average kid show – these are the best of the best from Terri Caldwell’s Music program.  Kids from this program have appeared on national television programs such as “America’s Got Talent” and the “X Factor.”  You will be blown away by the talent as they are backed by “The Lubbock Texas Rhythm Machine” in this full blown professional show!  Bring your entire family for a wonderful night at the “Cactus Kids Christmas Celebration.”   Call 806-762-3233 or go online for tickets.

 

Originally appeared in 2013.  Updated for 2015

 

 

The Top Santa Sightings in & around Lubbock 2015

“Wish I knew all the places I can take the kids to see Santa this year”

Looking for Santa?  Spread the word... Santa and all the great events & activities for kids during the holidays can be found on LubbockForKids.com!

Looking for Santa? Spread the word… Santa and all the great events & activities for kids during the holidays can be found on LubbockForKids.com!

Done!   One thing you can already mark off your Holiday to-do list:  Find Santa!

It’s a present for all of us – the gift of saving time!  In today’s blog we wanted to share some of the opportunities that our kids have in the Lubbock area to see Santa… so great to be a kid in the Hub!

Santa has many more visits on his schedule, so check our Santa Sightings section for up-to-the minute listings.  You know… we are the official keeper of Santa’s schedule in the Lubbock area… it’s true!

What a wonderful place we live in … our community provides so many opportunities to create family memories and enjoy the fun of the season!

Where oh where can we find Santa on the South Plains?

At Breakfast with Santa events… (reservations required for most)

Fri 11/20 and Sat. 11/21: Holiday Happening @ the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.  Space is limited.

Sat. 12/5: The Village Shopping Center @ Zio’s (82nd & Quaker).  (Sold out).

Sat. 12/5:  Breakfast with Santa at Maxey Community Center.  $10/person.  Space is limited.

Sat. 12/5 starting at 9am @ South Plains Mall Grand Court: Polar Express Weekend Extravaganza Private Breakfast (free!) with Santa & “Mall Express Train’ ($3) to Premiere Cinema to see “The Polar Express” movie. Movie starts at 10:30am.  $3 mall train ride. $6 movie (purchase tickets online – sure to sellout!).  Activities FREE. Candy cane & cookie decorating at Premiere. Part of the Polar Express Weekend Extravaganza benefiting Literacy Lubbock.

At Tree-Lighting Events…

Tues 12/1:  The Carol of Lights ceremony @ Texas Tech.  Join Santa & Raider Red for cookies starting at 5pm at the Frazier Pavilion

Tues 12/1:  SPC Christmas Tree Lighting & Carriage Rides with Santa @ South Plains College in Levelland.

Fri. 12/11 & Sat. 12/12 from 6 to 9pm: Candlelight at the Ranch @ the National Ranching Heritage Center.  Special appearance by Santa till 9pm each night in the NRHC main gallery!

Santa at the National Ranching Heritage Center's Candlelight at the Ranch

Children will have an opportunity to visit with Santa at the National Ranching Heritage Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-12 during the 37th Annual Candlelight at the Ranch.

At Parades…

Thurs. 12/3:

Levelland Christmas on the Square & Lighted Christmas Parade @ 5:30pm.

Plainview Christmas Parade on Broadway @ 6pm.

Sat. 12/5:

Post City Trade Days & Christmas Parade @ 6pm.

Sat. 12/12:

Miracles Christmas Parade on 34th Street in Lubbock @ 6pm.

With Pets…

Mondays from 6-8pm till Christmas:  Pet Photos with Santa @ South Plains Mall.  A special time for your furry friends to visit Santa!  (Cats and Dogs only, in carriers or on leashes please).

Sat. 11/28 & 12/5 from 11am-4pm and Sun. 11/29 & 12/6 from 1-4pm:
Santa Paws Photos @ KK’s Corner Mall.  $10.  Professionally photographed by Robert Cason.
Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of West Texas

Sat. 12/12: Santa Paws @ Hodges Community Center (40th & University) from 9am-1pm.
Photos available for purchase or bring your camera!

On Trains…(reservations suggested)

On the Polar Express!   Departures begin Nov. 21 and end Dec. 26.  Wolfforth depot.

At Carnivals…

Sat. 12/5:  Christmas Carnival @ Mae Simmons Community Center.  2-4pm.

Sat. 12/12:  Holiday Wonderland @ The Science Spectrum.  10am-3pm.

Sun. 12/20:  Pancho Clos @ Maggie Trejo Supercenter (32nd & Amherst).  2-5pm.

Holiday Wonderland at The Science Spectrum

Holiday Wonderland at The Science Spectrum

Through the Season…

South Plains Mall:  11/14 – 12/24.  Photos available for purchase.

Holland Gardens:  Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm (free!) now through Christmas.
(50th & Memphis)

Santa’s Land Drive Thru Park in Tahoka (free!):  Open November 26 (Thanksgiving!), 27,28,29 and December 4,5,6,11,12,13,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 and light will be on 25, 26 & 27.

Kingsgate Shopping Center:  Saturdays Thanksgiving – 12/20 (82nd & Quaker).
Also don’t miss their complimentary carriage rides Friday – Sunday evenings through Christmas Eve!
Bring a coat to donate to their Coat Drive!

Santa Land @ Mackenzie Park:  Nightly 12/10 – 12/23 from 6-10pm.
Opening Ceremony:  Tues. 12/10 @ 6pm.  Help welcome Santa & Mrs. Claus from the North Pole & turn on the lights to the tree and winter village!

And you can help Santa…. If you have him scheduled to be at an event open to the public – or if you know of any great event or activity for our kids – just add the listing to LubbockForKids.com or comment here on our blog to help spread the word!

This article was originally published in 2013 and updated for 2015.

 

2013 Holiday Camp Guide: Camps & Classes for Kids in the Lubbock area during the Holidays

 

Kid-approved Holiday Camps & Classes offer fun & learning for kids and valuable time for busy parents!Winter Camps get 4 thumbs up!

What to do with the kids over the holidays?  With all the hustle & bustle of the season, be sure to take advantage of all the classes and drop & shop events in the Lubbock area.  Many of them provide artistic fun for the kids AND a handmade craft or work of art that will make a priceless gift for someone special!  We’ve gathered a sleigh-full of area winter classes, camps, drop & shops, and holiday childcare options from our Holiday Camps section of LubbockForKids.com for our nifty 2013 Holiday Camp Guide.  Classes and camps fill up quickly so click their link to register or check availability asap!

Note that events are in order by date in each category.  Check back frequently for new additions to the list and see our Holiday Page for dozens more ideas for winter fun – search by child’s age, interests and dates!  And if you know of a camp for kids, let us know or add it to the online listing on LubbockForKids.com!
(updated 1/1/2014)


Arts & Crafts Camps:

Kids’ Paint the Day Away class @ Art & Co.:
Thurs. 1/2 & Fri. 1/3:  1-3pm:
Grades: any age if parent stays with children. Grades 1st & up without a parent.
$20.
Kids can select a pottery piece to paint or take a blank canvas and design and paint their own masterpiece!  $25 per child without parent/adult staying with children or price of the piece/canvas if parent/adult stays with children.

Science Camps:

Go 4 Gold! Camp @ Science Spectrum:
Thurs – Fri, Jan. 2nd-3rd, 1-4 PM.
Ages 4-6.
Members $36/Non-members $40.
Get in the Winter Olympic spirit!  Learn about the different sports & games played during the Winter Olympics and the science behind how they work.  They’ll enjoy an “Olympic Day” on the final day of camp where students compete in fun Olympic-themed challenges.  Come a camper, leave a champion in Go 4 Gold!

Winter Wonderlab Camp @ Science Spectrum:
Thurs – Fri, Jan. 2nd-3rd, 10 AM – 3 PM.
Ages 7-9.
Members $36/Non-Members $40.
Walkin’ in our Winter Wonderlab, you will have the chance to do tons of fun and exciting experiments! We will take on icy investigations, explore candyology, study of science of toys, light up the world, and so much more.


Holiday Child Care:

New Years Week Camp @ Rawlings, Trejo & Simmons Community Centers:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri. of New Year’s week: Open 7:45am-5:30pm daily 12/30/2013, 12/31/2013, 1/2/2014, & 1/3/2014.
Ages 6-12.
$28 for the week.
While school’s out New Year’s week, the kids can play all day! Crafts, games, sports, and more! Children must provide lunch & drink.

New Years Week Camp @ Hodges & Maxey Community Centers:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri. of New Year’s week: Open 7:30am-5:30pm daily 12/30/2013, 12/31/2013, 1/2/2014, & 1/3/2014.
Ages 6-12.
$64 for the week.
While school’s out New Year’s week, the kids can play all day! Crafts, games, sports, and more! Children must provide lunch & drink.

TEGA Kid’s Superplex:
Day camps are offered on most school holidays:
From 7:30 -3:00pm or 7:30-6:00pm.
$45 per day.
Currently enrolled afterschool care students:  Full-Day (7:30-6:00) = $40 per child.   Non-enrolled students.