Hub City Happenings: December

By: Aubrie Harris

Travel back to medieval times with The Amazing Castle exhibition at the Science Spectrum. Visitors can explore eight themed and interactive areas. This whimsical exhibit is on display every weekday and is included with the standard museum admission fee.

Enjoy the work of esteemed artists from across the nation as the International Affairs Office at Texas Tech hosts the High and Dry Gallery and Exhibition. The exhibit has been curated to premiere and create a conversation around the peoples and places of the world’s dry lands. From the dunes in the Sahara Desert to ghost towns in Terlingua, Texas, celebrate the unique beauty of the world’s arid and semiarid landscapes.

A visit to Lubbock during the first of the month is only completed by stopping by the First Friday Art Trail (FFAT) hosted by LHUCA. FFAT is a free, self-guided art tour in the Lubbock Cultural District in partnership with various art centers, museums, galleries, and downtown businesses. While there, enjoy live music, food trucks, and art from local, national, and international artists.

During this month’s FFAT, the Buddy Holly Center is hosting a group of carolers from Hutchinson Middle School Choir and the Pride of West Texas Show Chorus to help showcase their new exhibit “Urban Arts.”

Experience a cherished holiday tradition as Ballet Lubbock does its annual run of The Nutcracker. Clara and her Nutcracker take on the Mouse King in this epic ballet adventure the first two weekends of the month at Buddy Holly Hall. Shows run every weekend December 1-10.

Spend some time spinning around on the ice rink at Adventure Park this holiday season. The rink is open every weekend through December and is fun for the whole family!

Spend your Wednesday at the Cactus Theater as they stream the 1942 hit “Holiday Inn.” This star-studded film won an Academy Award and is best known for the song “White Christmas.” Vintage shorts will start 20 minutes before the show!

Walk through a winter wonderland full of dazzling lights and holiday cheer at Adventure Park. Each weekend until Christmas, Adventure Park is hosting a holiday gathering to meet Santa and spend some fun time with the family.

Experience Christmas on the frontier with the National Ranching Heritage Center. The halls will be decked and filled with all kinds of holiday fun. With holiday scenes playing out through 15 historic structures, it’s sure to be a night to remember. 

Rock around the Christmas trail with Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas Tour. The tradition began in the early ‘90s and continues to tell the tale of the relationship of Christmas with rural communities, farmers and ranchers. He will take the stage on December 8 and 9. 

The holiday tradition continues as the City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department creates a winter wonderland in Mackenzie Park. Wander through a festive holiday village full of animated displays, Santa’s Workshop and a 50-foot tree.

Listen as Lubbock native and Broadway star, David Gaschen takes the stage to showcase the true spirit of the season with his voice. While this is an annual show, there will be a few surprises along the way.

Spend your day full of shopping and fun Christmas activities for the whole family. With over 30 shopping vendors, food trucks and special guest appearances, you can’t miss this event.

Watch and listen as Blue October takes the stage with their Spinning the Truth Around (Part II) Tour. The American rock group has been inventing and inhabiting a genre since they started in 1998.

Catch the concert of the month as Texas Female Artist of the Decade, Bri Bagwell takes the stage at Blue Light. Bagwell has had three #1 singles since she started performing. The show starts at 9: 00 p.m.

A tribute from a son to his father comes to life on stage. A.J. Croce is celebrating two of his father Jim Croce’s albums’ 50th anniversary featuring a legendary band and a riveting multimedia presentation to capture the audience.

Watch the debut of a hilarious comedy show at the Cactus Theater! William Lee Martin has an adult holiday variety show without the adult language that you won’t want to miss. 

Lose yourself in an enchantment full evening with breathtaking acts and dazzling performers. This is a perfect treat to get into the holiday season with the entire family.

The Lubbock Symphony is bringing back one of its most popular programs, “Messiah.” This season celebrate with conductor Dr. Eric Allen, the symphony and the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.

A star-studded cast full of local favorites will take the Cactus Theater stage singing all of your Christmas favorites! This annual event is back again to bring you once-in-a-lifetime memories full of both new and old faces. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and the music will start at 7:30 p.m.

Caldwell Entertainment is back and better than ever with the Caldwell Kids Christmas concert. The show is full of the best talent Lubbock has to offer. You are sure to be blown away by the talent of kids on stage. Shows will take place on December 17 and 18.

Watch the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” with all of your friends and family. The Frank Capra-directed film has been ranked in the top 100 American films ever made and one of the top Christmas movies of all time. Vintage shorts will start 20 minutes before screen time.

Watch the combination of down-home laughs and big-city music take the stage at Cactus Theater. These are all classically trained veteran artists of musical comedy and are sure to make you laugh until you double over. There’s something for everyone in the group’s repertoire from country to Broadway to classical and everything in between!

Prepare to be amazed as the Dallas String Quartet takes the Cactus Theater stage with their holiday show. The group is known for a fusion of contemporary classical and pop music. This show will have a lot of holiday classics with an electric twist.

Blackwater Draw is back with its phenomenal Christmas show on the Cactus Theater stage. This sell-out show will be full of harmony-filled Christmas music that is sure to create an unforgettable evening.

Ring in the New Year with the Lubbock Science Spectrum. The night will be full of live science demonstrations, a special OMNI movie screening, a dance party and hands-on experiments. Advanced registration is required for this event!