Lights, concerts & a 'Nutcracker': 8 ways to celebrate the holidays Dec. 3-9

Cape Cod Times
·5 min read

Visit the Enchanted Village

The Cape Codder Resort & Spa will treat its guests, as well as nightly visitors from the local community, to its Enchanted Village display, featuring lights, animation and Santa, plus an opportunity to help others. Cider, hot chocolate and cookies are available for purchase. Visitors are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped gifts or gift cards to place under a Giving Tree through Dec. 23, after which they will be donated to Independence House in Hyannis.

When: nightly Dec. 3-23, with Santa visiting 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays Dec. 3-18

Where: Cape Codder Resort & Spa, 1225 Iyannough Road, Hyannis

Information: https://capecodderresort.com

The holiday lights from the Enchanted Village in 2019 at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, a holiday season display open to guests and community visitors.
The holiday lights from the Enchanted Village in 2019 at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, a holiday season display open to guests and community visitors.

Society recreates Christmas in Old Bourne Village

The Bourne Society for Historic Preservation will host its annual Christmas in Old Bourne Village event. The Briggs McDermott House will be decorated with Nutcracker-themed decorations. Visitors can tour the grounds, watch an ice-carving demonstration, drop by the blacksmith shop and watch blacksmiths in action, make an ornament with the local Cub Scouts and more. Refreshments will be available by the forge.

When: 4-8 p.m. Friday

Where: Briggs McDermott House, 22 Sandwich Road, Bourne

Information: https://bournepreservation.org

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Cabaret singer Dawn Derow will perform “What Child is This?” and “Christmas on Cape Cod,” among other classics, with the Cape Symphony.
Cabaret singer Dawn Derow will perform “What Child is This?” and “Christmas on Cape Cod,” among other classics, with the Cape Symphony.

Symphony celebrates 'Holidays on the Cape'

The Cape Symphony will put on its festive annual “Holiday on the Cape” concerts throughout the weekend. The orchestra will be joined by cabaret singer Dawn Derow, whose songs will include local writer Maureen Condon's "Christmas on Cape Cod," and jazz singer/saxophonist Danny Bacher. The symphony also commissioned a new piece of music in celebration of the Festival of Lights, “The Story of Chanukah,” which will be performed by cantorial soloist Samantha Stinson. 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the Chatham Chorale, and the Cape Symphony will commemorate the anniversary by featuring the frequent “Holiday on the Cape” guests.

When: concerts at 4 and 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Barnstable Performing Arts Center, 744 W. Main St., Hyannis

Admission: $16-$72

Information: https://capesymphony.org

Admission to the Cape Cod Museum of Art is free this Saturday and Sunday.
Admission to the Cape Cod Museum of Art is free this Saturday and Sunday.

Cape Cod Museum of Art opens doors for free holiday weekend

The Cape Cod Museum of Art will hold a holiday open house reception with free admission to the museum. The museum is currently hosting a Members’ Small Works Holiday Show & Sale “Wrap It Up!”, featuring 250 works created by 90 member artists. Visitors to the open house can check out the sale, see all the exhibitions, visit the museum shop, enter a free drawing and more. "Wrap It Up!" is on view through Dec. 19 during regular museum hours.

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis Village

Admission: Free

Information: https://ccmoa.org

Pictured, from left: Gabriel Dussaán, who has the dancing the role of Clara this year, and Elizabeth Wills and Olivia Harden in the New England Ballet Theatre production of "The Nutcracker."
Pictured, from left: Gabriel Dussaán, who has the dancing the role of Clara this year, and Elizabeth Wills and Olivia Harden in the New England Ballet Theatre production of "The Nutcracker."

New England Ballet Theatre presents 'The Nutcracker'

Dancers from New England Ballet Theatre in Cataumet will perform their annual "Nutcracker" ballet in two shows at the Lawrence School. Last year, the studio performed a virtual "Nutcracker" storybook, relating the classic story of young Clara's trip to the Land of Sweets set to Tchaikovsky music, to keep the holiday tradition alive. This year, the dance company will again be with a live audience.

When: noon and 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Lawrence School, 113 Lakeview Ave., Falmouth

Admission: $20 (available from the dancers and the studio)

Information: https://newenglandballet.net

Holiday concert has a global flavor

Multilingual vocalist and songwriter Eleanor Dubinsky and Argentine guitarist Dario Acosta Teich will bring music from around the world to Wellfleet with a selected tapestry of songs in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, plus holiday favorites. The duo will perform interpretations of jazz, Latin, French, popular and original songs. Festive treats and special holiday drinks will also be available.

When: 4-6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main St.

Admission: $20

Information: https://wellfleetpreservationhall.org

Emcee Stephen Russell, left, and musician Chandler Travis at the 2019 Yule for Fuel concert at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. This year's fundraiser will be held Saturday and Dec. 11.
Emcee Stephen Russell, left, and musician Chandler Travis at the 2019 Yule for Fuel concert at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. This year's fundraiser will be held Saturday and Dec. 11.

Yule for Fuel fundraiser shows return

Live music is back indoors at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater as Yule for Fuel concerts return as a community fundraiser for Lower Cape Outreach Council’s Fuel Assistance program. The holiday showcase of local talent, for which there will also be a live-streaming option, will be emceed by Stephen Russell, who began hosting Yule for Fuel in 2007 at WHAT. Performers this year will include: Christine Rathbun Ernst, Robert Finch, the Fix-It Sisters, Indira Ganesan, Kathy Shorr, John Shuman and Ira Wood. Musicians will include Alex Brewer, Broadway Central, Julie Charland, Heyday, Gregory and Rachel Hischak, Fred McGee, Chandler Travis, Jim Rohrer & Katie Hickey, Rising Tide, Ken Silvia, SummerTown, The Ticks, and Woof Woof Meow. More acts are due to be announced.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 11

Where: Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater 2357 State Highway Route 6

Tickets: $25; for in-person shows, patrons are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and to wear masks

Reservations and information: 508-349-9428, what.org; on COVID-19 precautions, http://www.what.org/public-health-and-covid-19

Ukulele celebration gets holiday theme

Cotuit Center for the Arts will hold its ninth annual "Ukulele Celebration," this year largely themed as a holiday-season event. The concert will feature some of the Cape’s best ukulele players and the traditional “Uke-A-Long,” which closes the show and gives anyone with a ukulele an opportunity to play and sing on stage together in a celebration of the stringed instrument. (Admission is free if you bring your ukulele and join the Uke-A-Long.)

When: 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road

Admission: $20

Information: https://artsonthecape.org

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod concerts, decorations, ballet: Celebrate holidays Dec. 3-9