More than 100 gingerbread creations are on display at the Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center in the historic Shields Room. The display is open through Dec. 19, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. 

Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and kids, and free for ages 2 and under. Gingerbread artists range from pre-K students to professionals.

Visit the farm for holiday crafts, petting zoo

Double H Farms at 7100 Indiana 1 in Hamilton will host a Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair Dec. 11, 18, and 24 from 4-7 p.m. 

Santa will be there along with a free cookie station for the kids, vendors, and a Christmas petting zoo.

Messiah by Candlelight makes its return

Messiah by Candlelight, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s sold-out tradition, returns on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 16-17, at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church for two performances. Experience the “Hallelujah” Chorus and other unforgettable Christmas favorites in the candlelit, acoustically resonant sanctuary.

Art Farm Holiday Pop Up Gallery opens up

The Art Farm, located at 17612 E. North County Line Road in Spencerville, will hold their annual Holiday Pop Up Gallery, hosting national and local artists, Wednesdays-Sundays, through January 9, from noon to 6 p.m. Masks are required, and the event is ticketed during weekend hours to maintain social distancing. 

Tickets ordered online at artfarmindiana.com are free, but if you’re unable to use it, they ask that you cancel your reservation to open the spot to another visitor.

Lace up your skates at Headwaters Park rink  

The Headwaters Ice Skating Rink is open for the 2021-22 season. The indoor concessions stand is operated by Mr. G’s and offers soup, sandwiches, and cold or hot drinks. Extended holiday hours from Dec. 17 through Jan. 2 will be noon-9 p.m. daily. Regular hours of operation are 3-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon-9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. on Sundays, through Feb. 27. 

Admission is $4 for ages 13 and under, $6 for ages 14 and over, and $3 for skate rental. Spectators and parking are free. There will also be free skate days for children under 14 on Dec. 14, Jan. 4, Jan. 18, Feb. 1, and Feb. 15. Skate rental for $3 still applies or kids can bring their own skates.

Animatronic Santa photos at Promenade Park

Bring your friends, family, or furry loved ones to Promenade Park for a photo and Christmas sing-alongs with an animatronic dancing Santa at the Sweetwater Bandshell East. 

No reservation or fee is required. In the event of inclement weather, please check the Riverfront Fort Wayne Facebook page for updates.

Get into the holiday spirit with local theater

Fort Wayne theaters have a wide variety of holiday-themed shows this year, including:

Dashing Through the Snow — Arena Dinner Theatre, through Dec. 18

Elf Jr. — Fort Wayne Youtheatre, performed at First Presbyterian Theater, Dec. 10-19

Christmas Spectacular — Three Rivers Music Theatre, performed at the PPG ArtsLab, Dec. 10-12

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) — Pulse Opera House, through Dec. 12

The Nutcracker — Fort Wayne Ballet, performed at the Arts United Center, through Dec. 12

Seniors highlighted at PFW Fine Arts Exhibition

The Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates graduating from the PFW Department of Art and Design will display their senior thesis projects in the Visual Arts Gallery through Dec. 12. The exhibition is free and open to the public. 

Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. For information about the Department of Art and Design, go to pfw.edu/art-design.

PFW Bands Concert features clarinet prof

On Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m., PFW will present a band concert including Respighi’s signature work Church Windows and featuring soloist Kylie Stultz-Dessent, professor of clarinet. Other works include composers Runestad, Higdon, and more. Dan Tembras will conduct. 

The concert will be in Auer Performance Hall with free admission for PFW students with ID and students 18 and younger. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (60 and older), and $4 for non-PFW students. For tickets, go to pfw.edu/tickets or call (260) 481-6555..

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