After Thanksgiving, ice skating, visits with Santa and 'The Snowman' on tap for the weekend
Happy Thanksgiving (almost). Because of the holiday, we're publishing this week's Five Things to Do a tad early. Enjoy the rest of the week and the weekend, and check The Tribune's online calendar of events for more events happening in and near South Bend.
Skating season opens Nov. 25 at South Bend’s Howard Park
SOUTH BEND — The Howard Park ice path and pond open Nov. 25 and remain open until March 11 at 219 S. St. Louis Blvd.
The ice trail features rolling hills and soft curves that provide skaters with a diverse terrain when making their way around the loop. The ice pond is attached to the ice trail but provides a more traditional skating experience with an isolated skating area that can be used for learning to skate or activities such as broomball.
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Opening Day events include performances by Irish Figure Skating Club at 10 a.m. and River City Rovers at 10:20 a.m.; free doughnuts and hot cocoa starting at 10:30 a.m.; face painting and balloon artists at noon; visits by Spark, the Grinch, Frozone, Elsa and other characters at 1 p.m., “Frosty the Snowman” movie indoors at 2:30 p.m.; and skating with tunes from 7 to 9 p.m.
Everything is free, except for skating. The first public skating session begins at 11 a.m.
Also, the Holiday Market with local vendors will open from 4 to 8 p.m. inside of the Howard Park Event Center and return from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 26.
Promotions include skate classes on Mondays; $5 admission on Tuesdays, except from Dec. 23 to Jan. 6; DJ Skate Night on Thursdays; a mid-day skating time reserved just for children, 14 and younger, and their families on Fridays; and Yoga on Ice, which begins in January, on Saturdays.
The park books skating sessions in 90-minute blocks. Regular start times are as follows: 7 p.m. Mondays; 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 12:30 (kids only), 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. and 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Sundays.
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Special start times are 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 23 to Jan. 6, except for Dec. 24 (no 7 or 9 p.m.), Dec. 31 (no 9 p.m.) and Jan. 16 and Feb. 20 (no 9 p.m., and the 5 p.m. session is for skating class, with open access to the ice trail still available).
Cost is $10-$7; season passes are $50 for individuals and $140 for families. Skate-It-Forward reduced-rate admission for $4 is available for those who qualify.
The Family Season Pass is valid for two named adults living in the same household and up to six of their dependent children 17 and younger.
Skate rental is included with admission.
Admission to the skate trail and pond and skate rentals are available at the support building located on the east side of the park.
For more information, call 574-299-4765 or visit visithowardpark.com.
‘The Gift of Lights’ returns to Potawatomi Zoo to light up holiday season
SOUTH BEND — “The Gift of Lights” opens Nov. 25 and continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 18 at Potawatomi Zoo, 500 S. Greenlawn Ave.
Santa will be in the River Run Yurt every night from 6 to 8 p.m. There is no charge to visit Santa.
The Potawatomi Zoo Holiday Express train tickets are $3 (ages 3 and older). The Zoo train will run as weather permits.
The Zoo Learning Center and Laidig Giraffe Conservation Center will be open.
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The Congo Café will be open with hot drinks and a limited menu. The Otter Outpost will be open with snacks, beverages and special seasonal adult drinks. The Round Barn Monkey Bar will be open as weather permits with seasonal adult drinks and snacks as well.
The Zoo Gift Shop is open from 5 to 9 p.m. during The Gift of Lights.
For the health and safety of the animals and visitors, some parts of the zoo are closed after dark and in cold weather.
Admission is $11 for ages 15 and older, $6 for ages 3 to 14; free for ages 2 and younger. Admission for zoo members is $8-$4.
For more information, call 574-235-9800 or visit potawatomizoo.org.
Hillsiders perform free Black Friday concert at Potato Creek
NORTH LIBERTY — As part of Indiana State Parks’ free-admission “Opt-Out Black Friday” at state parks, Potato Creek State Park presents a concert by The Hillsiders from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Nature Center Auditorium, 25601 Indiana 4.
Known for its folk, rock and Americana music and conducting sing-alongs, the acoustic band will perform holiday music and popular songs for sing-alongs.
Families are encouraged to attend.
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Light refreshments will be provided.
Admission to the park and the concert Nov. 25 are free.
For more information, call 574-656-8186 or visit on.in.gov/potatocreeksp.
GhostLight presents ‘Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish’
BENTON HARBOR — The GhostLight Theatre presents the Michigan regional premiere of “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish — The Musical” from Nov. 26 to Dec. 11 at 101 Hinkley St.
Based on the 2015 book by Denise McGowan Tracy, who adapted it for the stage, the musical features eight original songs by her and composer Kathleen Butler-Duplessis.
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In the story, Eleanor, a rag doll who lives in the magical world of the North Pole surrounded by Santa, Mrs. Claus, Clara Claus and the elves Twinkle, Sprinkle and Sparkle, loves her North Pole family, but she wishes for a best friend and home of her own.
With the help of her North Pole family, Eleanor learns that wishing alone is simply not enough to make your dreams come true.
The production stars Samantha Bonzi, who originated the title role when the musical premiered at Chicago’s Greenhouse Theater in 2019.
Following the performance, audience members are invited onstage for “Selfies with Santa” at no additional charge.
Performances are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and at 1 and 4 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $17.50-$15.
For more information, call 269-252-5222 or visit ghostlightbh.com.
SBSO performs ‘The Snowman’ for family concert at Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Symphony Orchestra presents its annual family concert at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
Titled “The Snowman” and based on Raymond Briggs’ 1978 children’s book by the same name, this adaptation by Howard Blake showcases a full orchestra as the audience follows a little boy and his Snowman as they get into mischief and meet Father Christmas.
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Additionally, the program includes the University of Notre Dame Children’s Choir for the song “Walking in the Air” and traditional carols from around the world.
Tickets are $20-$10.
For more information, call 574-631-2800 or visit performingarts.nd.edu.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Things to do in South Bend on Thanksgiving weekend
