Nutcracker, Santa-themed Bar Crawl, other holiday events highlight Lexington’s weekend

Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do including family-friendly events, theatre plays, live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, Christmas and holiday holiday craft fairs, and holiday shopping events, holiday concerts and music,foodie events, 10K benefits and Nutcracker ballet performances.

Holiday shopping: MixMas Market at Manchester Music Hall

Lexington Mercantile Co. and MIX 94.5 will host a MixMas Market with holiday shopping from local vendors at Manchester Music Hall on Dec. 8 from 5-9 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com.

Wilderness Trail Distillery 10 Year Anniversary Celebration

Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville will celebrate its 10 year anniversary on Dec. 8 from 6-9 p.m. with cocktails, food and live music from Kings of Freon. 4095 Lebanon Rd, Danville. Facebook.com.

Crafted Social Winter Market at Greyline Station

The Crafted Social Winter Market will take place at Greyline Station featuring holiday shopping from artist, designers and more on Dec. 8 from 6-9 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 101 W Loudon Ave. facebook.com/events/1722845331544584.

‘City Of Bethlehem,’ Story of Jesus’ Birth at Georgetown First United Methodist Church

Watch the story of Jesus’ birth unfold during productions of “City Of Bethlehem” at Georgetown First United Methodist Church on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. Free. 1280 Lexington Rd. Facebook.com/GeorgetownFirst.

Dinner Theatre Show: ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Spotlight Playhouse, Thoroughbred Theatre

Two Central Kentucky communities will be presenting dinner shows of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” this weekend. The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea’s showtimes are on Dec. 8 and 9 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m. $29-69. 214 Richmond Rd N, Berea. TheSpotlightPlayhouse.com.

Midway’s Thoroughbred Theatre will also host the holiday classic with dinner shows on Dec. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. $75. 127 E Main St, Midway. AdventureTheatreKy.com.

Holiday play: ‘Miracle On 34th Street’ at the Woodford Theatre

The Woodford Theatre in Versailles will present “Miracle On 34th Street” on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. $18-25. 275 Beasley Dr, Versailles. WoodfordTheatre.com.

Comedian Henry Cho at Comedy Off Broadway

Comedian Henry Cho will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 6 and 8:30 p.m. $23-25. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

Kelsey Waldon Concert at The Burl

Western Kentucky born, Nashville based country artist Kelsey Waldon will perform at The Burl with support from William Matheny on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. $18. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

YMCA of Central Kentucky Benefit: Reindeer Ramble 5K at Keeneland

The 17th annual Reindeer Ramble 5K benefiting the YMCA of Central Kentucky will take place at the grounds of Keeneland on Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. $35. 4201 Versailles Rd. RunSignUp.com.

Bluegrass Distillers Christmas Market at Elkwood Farm

Bluegrass Distillers will host a Christmas market at Elkwood Farm in Midway with shopping vendors on Dec. 9 from 12-3 p.m. 158 W Leestown Rd. facebook.com/events/657573533175704.

Merry Mary Open House at the Mary Todd Lincoln House

Celebrate Mary Todd Lincoln’s 205th birthday during an open house at the Mary Todd Lincoln House on Dec. 9 from 1-4 p.m. 578 W Main St. www.mtlhouse.org.

SantaCon: Santa-themed Bar Crawl at Bourbon On Rye

Get into the Christmas spirit with a Santa-themed bar crawl when SantaCon returns to downtown Lexington on Dec. 9. The event will begin at Bourbon On Rye at 5 p.m. and continue on to places like McCarthy’s, Henry Clay’s, The Bluegrass Tavern and more before wrapping up at midnight. Free. 115 W Main St. SantaCon.info/Lexington-KY.

Central Kentucky Ballet Theatre: ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Lexington Opera House

The Central Kentucky Ballet Theatre will present “The Nutcracker” at the Lexington Opera House through Dec. 17. This week’s showtimes are on Dec. 9 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. From $33. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.

‘A Holiday To Remember’ at the T.B. Ripy Mansion

David Alford’s “A Holiday To Remember” featuring performances of Truman Capote’s “The Thanksgiving Visitor” and “A Christmas Memory” will come to the T.B. Ripy Mansion in Lawrenceburg on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. $45. 320 S Main St, Lawrenceburg. Eventbrite.com.

Hogwarts Yule Ball at the Gateway Regional Arts Center

The Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mt. Sterling will host a Harry Potter-themed Hogwarts Yule Ball on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. $20. 101 E Main St, Mt. Sterling. GRACKentucky.org.

KCAL Old-Time Radio Christmas Show in Nicholasville

Feeling nostalgic for old-time radio? Feed your appetite with the KCAL Old-Time Radio Troupe when they bring their annual Christmas show to the KCAL Old Time Radio Theater in Nicholasville on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. $8-10. 109 S Main St, Nicholasville. KCALOTR.com.

Gingerbread Workshop & Wine Class at Harkness Edwards Vineyards

Sip on wine and craft your own gingerbread house during a workshop at Harkness Edwards Vineyards in Winchester on Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. $57. 5199 Combs Ferry Rd, Winchester. facebook.com/events/238600122533018.

Central Kentucky Concert Band at Haggin Auditorium

The Central Kentucky Concert Band will kick off its 2023-24 season with its holiday-themed “Festivals and Praise...And Bassoons!” at Transylvania University’s Haggin Auditorium on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. 350 N Broadway. CKCB.org.

Alltech Celebration of Song featuring UK Opera Theatre at Alltech Arena

The next chapter of a local tradition will be written when Alltech’s Celebration of Song featuring the UK Opera Theatre returns to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. Free. 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. Alltech.com.

Kentucky Bach Choir And Orchestra Concert at First Presbyterian Church

The Kentucky Bach Choir and Orchestra will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” at First Presbyterian Church on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. $10-35. 174 N Mill St. KentuckyBachChoir.org.

Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .