DECEMBER 2025
(SC) Ongoing HOMESCHOOL IN THE PARKS, Ages: 7-12. Several parks throughout the Charleston County Parks system. 843-795-4386, customerservice@ccprc.com. Charleston County Parks hosts various events for homeschool groups in our parks throughout the year! From the marsh to the oceans, the outdoors serves as our classroom and makes for great homeschool field trips during science lessons. ccprc.com.
(NC) Ongoing, OPEN STUDIO EVERY SUNDAY UNTIL MAY 31, 2026, 1:30-3:30pm (Ends), Ages 5+. Artspace NC, 201 East Davie Street, Raleigh NC, 27601, 919-821-2787, info@artspacenc.org Let your imagination soar in Artspace’s Open Studio and enjoy a self-guided art making activity for ages 5 and up. Every month there will be a new, beginner-level art making activity to experience. Registration is required for children and adults. Free. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artspace-open-studio-tickets-1115849950239?aff=oddtdtcreator
(VA) Through-December 30, 2025, Gingerbread Contest & Exhibit at Ferry Farm, during museum hours, All ages. George Washington’s Ferry Farm, 268 George Washington Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, 540-370-0732, Learn@gwffoundation.org. Enter the gingerbread house-making contest and view the exhibitors throughout the month. $6 adults, $3 kids. Kenmore.org/events.
(VA) Through-December 30, 2025, WEE CHRISTMAS DOLLHOUSES AND MINIATURES, during museum hours, All ages, Historic Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, 540-370-0732, Learn@gwffoundation.org, Enter your dollhouses or miniature display in the exhibit and view all the exhibitors throughout the month. $6 adults, $3 kids. Kenmore.org/events.
(FL) Now – December 31, 2025, EXHIBITION: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS! FEATURED EXHIBIT, 10 am – 5 pm, All ages. History of Diving Museum, 82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, (305) 664-9737, programs@divingmuseum.org.This special limited-time featured exhibit examines how the world’s largest collection of diving equipment on public display was created, how diving has evolved since the Museum opened, and will give you an opportunity to see unique artifacts never before displayed. Admission: $15 for adults, $7 for children ages 6-11, 5 and under free. divingmuseum.org.
(NC) Every Tuesday in December, HOMESCHOOL TUESDAYS, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, All ages. Sylvan Heights Bird Park, 500 Sylvan Heights Park Way, Scotland Neck, NC 27874, (252) 826-3186, education@shwpark.com. North Carolina homeschool students and families can enjoy discounted admission on Tuesdays from November – February! Sylvan Heights Bird Park offers a fun and engaging winter field trip experience where students can meet and learn about more than 2,000 birds from around the world. To qualify for this special discount, homeschool families must be registered with the state of North Carolina, and must present proof of their registered status at the ticket window. PreK-12th grade homeschool students: $8.00 Adults accompanying homeschool students: $12.00. shwpark.com.
(TN) December 1, 2025; HOMESCHOOL DAY, 10 am-12 pm. Ages event for: 6-18. Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38103, 901-636-4132, julie.obryan@membg.org. Join us for hands-on learning that supplements your homeschool curriculum for ages 6+. This semester of Homeschool Days we will discover the natural world around us through activities and lessons on fall plants and the harvest season. Students will learn all about insects and spiders, explore our Delta Garden and learn old fashioned gardening methods, master the basics of fruits and vegetables, and discover the joy of nature journaling. Your registration includes all four sessions listed below. Please note Homeschool Days are on Mondays. Cost of Event: $60 MBG Members/$80 Non-Members. Price per child participant for the semester, which includes the four sessions listed above. Adults who accompany their child will need to pay Garden admission upon entry to the Garden. https://membg.org/events/homeschool-days-fall-2025/.
(MD) December 5, 2025, FIRST FRIDAY IN LEONARDTOWN, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Old Jail Museum, 41625 Court House Dr, Leonardtown, MD 20650.Come take a tour of this fascinating historic site or shop at the Museum Store for a variety of unique gifts. Admission is free Facebook.com/TheOldJailMuseum.
(PA) December 05, 2025, SANTA’S ARRIVAL, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, any age is perfect for this event, Camelback Lodge, 193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, Pennsylvania, 18372, (855) 515-1283, info@camelbackresort.com. Kick off the holiday season with a magical celebration at Camelback Resort! Santa and Mrs. Claus are making their grand arrival, joined by their merry Elves—and our friends from the Pocono Township Fire Department will be helping Santa make a special entrance! Together, they’ll light our Resort Christmas tree in style. Camelback Resort and Santa will again be partnering with Toys for Tots of Monroe County. Bring a new, unwrapped toy (valued $10–$30) to receive a custom reindeer pillowcase—a fun keepsake for your little ones! This free, family-friendly event is open to all and packed with festive fun, including live entertainment, kids’ activities, a hot cocoa bar, and delicious holiday treats like cookies. Gather with family and friends to welcome the season and create lasting memories. Free Event, https://www.camelbackresort.com/events/tannersville/santas-arrival
(GA) December 6, 2025, SAVANNAH SANTA TRAIN, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, All ages. Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd, Savannah, GA 31401, 912-651-6840, admin@chsgeorgia.org. Savannah Santa Train is Savannah’s annual favorite family holiday event with festive activities and entertainment, including a holiday-themed locomotive train ride experience and live demonstrations with community partners. Children and their families learn about holiday traditions from around the world through hands-on participation. Free for Coastal Heritage Society members. https://chsgeorgia.org/.
(NJ) December 6, 2025, NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY: ELF IN CONCERT, 2 pm, All ages, New Jersey Performing Arts Center; NJPAC (1 Center Street); Count Basie Center for the Arts (99 Monmouth Street), NJPAC (Newark, NJ 07102); (ticketservices@njpac.org); info: NJPAC (888.466.5722); Count Basie Center for the Arts, 732.842.9000. (boxoffice@thebasie.org). Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf in Concert! Presentation licensed by CineConcerts. Rated PG. ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s25). $46-$108. https://www.njsymphony.org/
(NJ) December 7, 2025, NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY: ELF IN CONCERT, 2 pm, All ages, Count Basie Center for the Arts, NJPAC (1 Center Street); Count Basie Center for the Arts (99 Monmouth Street), Count Basie Center for the Arts (Red Bank, NJ 07701), Count Basie Center for the Arts (732.842.9000), (boxoffice@thebasie.org). Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf in Concert! Presentation licensed by CineConcerts. Rated PG. ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s25). $46-$108. https://www.njsymphony.org/
(FL) December 7, 2025, Pearl Harbor Commemorative Guided Tours, 11 am and 2 pm,, All ages. History of Diving Museum 82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, (305) 664-9737,, programs@divingmuseum.org.Join the History of Diving Museum at 11 AM and 2 PM for a special guided tour of the exhibits! The tour is included in your admission price. December’s tours will commemorate the 84th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and feature special highlights of the US Navy’s largest ever salvage operation which took place there. Admission: $15 for adults, $7 for children ages 6-11, 5 and under free. divingmuseum.org.
(GA) December 11, 2025, HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM AT ELACHEE NATURE SCIENCE CENTER, 1-3 pm. kindergarten through 6th grade. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504, 770-535-1976, sam@elachee.org. Explore guided and self-guided stations that cover different science and nature themes each month. Attendees will also have access to the entire Nature Center and hiking trails. Member child: free, non-member child: $10. www.elachee.org.
December 12, 2025 (Anticipated), CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN OPENING DAY, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Teens, Adults, and Families looking to ski or snowboard. Camelback Mountain, 301 Resort Drive. Tannersville, Pennsylvania, 18372, (855) 515-1283. info@camelbackresort.com . Hit the slopes, ride the trails, and soak in stunning Poconos views all winter long. Your mountain adventure starts here! From single-day lift tickets and season-long access, there’s an option for every skier and snowboarder. The slopes are calling—let’s ride! $55 and up. https://www.camelbackresort.com/lift-tickets-and-passes
(NJ) Dec. 13, 2025, SMALL EXPLORERS LEARNING TOGETHER “SPACE EXTRAVAGANZA!”, 9:30 am – 12:00 noon, 1 – 5 years old, New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608, Devra.Hock-Reid@sos.nj.gov. This event is a winter solstice tradition; it’s the only session to include a Planetarium show with your session fee! Caregivers and children will participate in activities that introduce the stars and constellations. Families will learn more about the Earth’s moon and participate in activities that engage in observation and play. All participants will take home multiple arts and crafts projects related to the theme. After the 10:30 am One World, One Sky show, families can return to Riverview Court for more activities or explore the Museum. Cost of Event: $20 for 1st child, $16 for additional sibling. www.Statemuseum.nj.gov.
(SC) December 13, 2025, COLONIAL CHRISTMAS, 3:00pm-8:00pm, All ages, Walnut Grove Plantation, 1200 Otts Shoals Rd, Roebuck, SC 29376, 864-576-6546, info@spartanburghistory.org. Join us for a Colonial Christmas celebration that blends the magic of the past with the joy of the present. With candlelight tours, a backcountry Christmas service, pictures with Father Christmas & crafts, this event promises to be a cherished highlight of your holiday season. Colonial hot chocolate, wassail and s’mores will be available for purchase to make your evening even cozier. Cost: $12. https://www.spartanburghistory.org/events.
(VA) December 14, 2025, TASTE THROUGH TIME, 10am-2pm, All ages. Historic Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, 540-370-0732. Learn@gwffoundation.org. See what’s being made colonial-style in a historic kitchen. Watch the process, sample the food afterwards. $6 without House tour, $12 with House tour. Kenmore.org/events.
December 14, 2025, HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) Interpretive Center, located at 21675 S. Coral Drive in Lexington Manor Passive Park in Lexington Park. Experience the magic of the season with our Museum Division! And Join Santa & Mrs. Claus for a Festive ‘Storytime. Gather ‘round for two special readings of the beloved holiday classic, The Polar Express at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Children and parents alike are encouraged to wear their pajamas to truly capture the spirit of the story! Festive Fun for All Ages: Holiday coloring activities will be provided, and guests are encouraged to explore the fascinating exhibits at the interpretive center while there. Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus. Enjoy delicious cookies and refreshments. a joyful holiday Open House you won’t want to miss! This free event is brought to you by St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division and the Friends of St. Clement’s Island & Piney Point Museums. Mark your calendars and join us for this heartwarming celebration filled with holiday spirit, family fun, and a little Santa magic! Learn more: https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/pio/docs/2025 199NewsReleaseMuseumHolidayEvents.pdf.
(FL) December 17, 2025, IMMERSE YOURSELF! AQUACULTURE IN THE KEYS, 7 pm, All ages. History of Diving Museum, 82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, (305) 664-9737, programs@divingmuseum.org. Join the History of Diving Museum as it hosts Ken Nedimyer of Reef Renewal, who will take us through the fascinating world of aquaculture, or the captive raising of marine creatures, in the Florida Keys, and the environmental benefits of the practice. Presentation will be both in-person and virtual and take place at 7 PM on December 17th at the History of Diving Museum. Free admission. divingmuseum.org.
(VA) December 18, 2025, MINI MORNINGS AT THE MUSEUM: GINGERBREAD, 10:15am, Preschoolers & their caregivers. George Washington’s Ferry Farm, 268 George Washington Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, 540-370-0732, Learn@gwffoundation.org. Preschoolers and their caregivers will learn about gingerbread, with a craft and storytime. $6 kids, adults free. Kenmore.org/events
(NJ) December 19 and December 20, HANDEL’S MESSIAH, 7:30 pm All ages. Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542, 609-258-5000. Handel’s Messiah embraces every emotion, from the first voice singing “Comfort ye,” inviting you to step aside from the season’s frenzy, to the riveting Amen Chorus at the end. In between are moments of transcendence, loss, and deeply-felt awe—what makes a classic a classic, $36-$122. https://www.njsymphony.org/.
(NJ) December 21, 2025, HANDEL’S MESSIAH, 7 pm. All ages. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street, Newark, NJ 07104, 973.484.4600, cathedralinfo@rcan.org, Handel’s Messiah embraces every emotion, from the first voice singing “Comfort ye,” inviting you to step aside from the season’s frenzy, to the riveting Amen Chorus at the end. In between are moments of transcendence, loss, and deeply-felt awe—what makes a classic a classic, $36-$122. https://www.njsymphony.org/.
(PA) December 22, 2025, SANTA MONDAY, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Santa Group Photo – 11:00 AM . Adults and families looking to ski or snowboard. Camelback Mountain, 301 Resort Drive, Tannersville, Pennsylvania, 18372, (855) 515-1283, info@camelbackresort.com. Santa Monday at Camelback Mountain! Dress from head to toe in a Santa Claus costume and enjoy 50% off your lift ticket! Stop by Guest Services to claim your discounted ticket and join the fun. Meet us slopeside at the base area for a festive photo at 11am.! Afterward, we’ll hit the slopes together for a few laps—Santa-style! Important: This festive offer is for full Santa attire only—a simple red hat, jacket, or helmet won’t qualify. Get decked out and embrace the holiday spirit on the slopes! $29.50 – 40.00. Website address: https://www.camelbackresort.com/events/tannersville/santa-monday?startdate=12-22-2025&enddate=12-22-2025
(PA) December 23, 2025, Ugly Sweater Party & Christmas Karaoke, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Adults, Camelback Mountain Resort, 301 Resort Drive, Tannersville, Pennsylvania, 18372, (855) 515-1283, info@camelbackresort.com. Get festive with us at Camelback! Throw on your most outrageous holiday sweater and get ready to sing your heart out during a jolly night of Christmas karaoke. Prizes will be awarded for the best (and worst!) sweaters. Join us for holiday fun, laughter, and plenty of festive cheer. Please note: A valid lift ticket is required to access the snow. Free Event. www.camelbackresort.com/events/tannersville/ugly-sweater-party-christmas-karaoke?startdate=12-23-2025&enddate=12-23-2025
(PA) December 24, 2025, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AT HEMISPHERES, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Families with younger kids and teens. Camelback Lodge, 193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, Pennsylvania, 18372, (855) 515-1283, info@camelbackresort.com. Celebrate the magic of Christmas Eve at Hemispheres inside Camelback Resort. Gather with family and friends for a festive holiday dinner featuring seasonal favorites, chef-inspired dishes, and a joyful atmosphere filled with warmth and cheer. Make your holiday unforgettable with a night of delicious food and cherished memories. Adults (13 and up) are $59.99, children (ages 6-12) are $32.99, and children five and under are free. Reservations are highly recommended, reserve your table today! Cost of Event: $32.99 – 59.99.https://www.camelbackresort.com/events/tannersville/christmas-dinner-at-hemisphere?startdate=12-24-2025&enddate=12-24-2025
(VA) December 28, 2025,KAARLO TUOMI’S TALE AS A COMMUNIST TURNED COUNTERSPY. 7 PM, Zoom Meeting held by the Cold War Museum, Warrenton, VA, 540-341-2008, gpowersjr@coldwar.org. Speaker Carol James will talk about KGB / FBI double agent Kaarlo Tuomi’s tale as a communist turned counterspy. In 1972, when she was editor of The Cooperative Builder, Tuomi shared with her stories about the role he played in the Cold War and how he felt as a participant. According to www.fi.wikipedia.org, Kaarlo Tuomi was recruited by the KGB in 1954. Because he could speak English fluently and still had a U.S. passport, he was trained by the KGB and the GRU and sent to the United States in 1958 as a spy. However, the FBI found out about Tuomi’s actions and made him become a double agent. Tuomi worked under the direction of the FBI, but he still continued as a KGB/GRU spy, supplying the Russians with material provided by the FBI. This continued until 1963. For tickets, go to website, https://coldwar.org/default.asp?pid=16883 and click on the drop-down menu and select “Other” to enter your own amount which could also be zero. https://coldwar.org/
(PA) December 31st, 2025, NOON YEARS PARTY, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Families with younger kids and teens, Camelback Mountain Village, 301 Resort Drive, Tannersville, Pennsylvania, 18372, (855) 515-1283. info@camelbackresort.com. Join us in ringing in the New Year at Camelback Mountain Village! From 11am to 1pm, immerse yourself in the celebration with our fantastic DJ spinning the hottest tracks. At noon, raise your glass for a toast to the incoming year and stand a chance to snag some awesome swag. Before entering, grab a black and gold lei to add an extra touch of festivity. Plus, don’t miss our L.E.D screen showcasing vintage mountain videos for a nostalgic vibe! Free Event. https://www.camelbackresort.com/events/tannersville/noon-years-party
(PA)December 31st, 2025, NEW YEARS EVE DINNER, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Families with younger kids and teens. Camelback Resort, 193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, Pennsylvania, 18372, (855) 515-1283, info@camelbackresort.com. Come ring in the New Year right at Hemisphere New Years Eve Buffet. Enjoy fresh salads and appetizers, a poke bowl station, build-your-own pasta bar, sizzling hibachi, and a butcher’s station featuring herb-roasted beef ribeye. Indulge in decadent desserts like petite pastries, ice cream with waffles, and a chocolate fountain. Plus, kid-friendly favorites for the little ones make it a celebration for the whole family! Adults (13 and up) $69.99; Children (6-12) $22.00; Children 5 and under are free. https://www.camelbackresort.com/events/tannersville/new-years-eve-dinner?startdate=12-31-2025&enddate=12-31-2025.