It may be opening weekend for Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Syracuse and everywhere else, but this is way too obvious of an event. The movie franchise fans already bought their tickets, and those who are not fans are apathetic.
For those looking to spend time outside of a movie theater and away from the mall, there are plenty of things going on in Central New York.
So, what are your plans?
Weather Forecast
(Subject to change, of course.)
THURSDAY
Temperature: 53 degrees / 35 degrees
Conditions: Rain with a side of gloom.
FRIDAY
Temperature: 42 degrees / 28 degrees
Conditions: That cold “wintery mix” everyone loves.
SATURDAY
Temperature: 35 degrees / 28 degrees
Conditions: Lake effect snow, but the sun will be shining.
SUNDAY
Temperature: 39 degrees / 30 degrees
Conditions: Back to spring weather.
Festivals and Family Fun
Candlelight Tours at Seward House Museum
What’s cooler than “traveling back in time,” taking a tour of a historic mansion and learning some national and local history? Experiencing all of this by candlelight! Head over to Auburn for this unique experience.
Where: Seward House Museum, 33 South St., Auburn.
When: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: Dec. 17 – 19 | 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.
Cost: $15 (adults), $8 (children), Free (12 and younger) | 252-1283
For its 22nd year, Dickens Christmas returns to Skaneateles, and it kicks off this Friday. Stop by for the annual tradition, whether it’s your first time or you’re re returning fan.
Where: Village of Skaneateles, Skaneateles
When: Every Saturday and Sunday | Thursday, Dec. 24 | Noon – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Gingerbread Gallery
The Gingerbread Gallery is in its 30th year! In late November, the event kicked off after the tree-lighting ceremony. Come check out the gingerbread displays created by local bakers. (Please eat beforehand and resist temptation to pick at the designs.)
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Gingerbread Workshops | $10 (child), $8 (members) | Call to reserve a spot
Where: Erie Canal Museum, 318 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Event ends Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016.
Cost: $2 (children), $4 (seniors), $5 (adults) | 471-0593 x 10
The two-mile-long light spectacular continues to the beginning of January. Come ring in the holiday season with favorite and familiar displays and new ones.
Where: Onondaga Lake Park, 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool
When: Daily | 5-10 p.m.
Cost: $10/car (Monday – Thursday) | $15 (Friday – Sunday) | $6/car with Wegmans Shoppers Club Card (Mondays and Tuesdays) | 453-6712
Film
Decorating cookies. The movie Elf itself. Eating cookies. Is more of a description needed? Oh… All of it is free.
Friday, Dec. 18| 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 1 p.m., 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20 | 10 a.m., 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Where: Green Lakes State Park, 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville
When: Friday, Dec. 18 – Sunday, Dec. 20
Cost: Free and supplies included | Registration is required | 637-6111
The Landmark Theatre Holiday Film Series
Three nights this pre-holiday weekend will have movies featured at the historic Landmark Theatre. On Sunday, a free pajama party-themed showing of “The Polar Express” will begin at 2 p.m., and the event is free.
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. | “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) | $5
Sunday, Dec. 20 | 2 p.m. | “The Polar Express” (2004) | Free
**Pajama Party | Holiday activities start at 2 p.m. | Film starts at 4 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. | “A Christmas Story” (1983) | $5
Where: The Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Dec. 17 – Monday, Dec. 21
Cost: Free – $5 (see above)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Redhouse presents a different and very interactive experience that goes along with the 2001 live-action adaptation.
Where: The Redhouse Arts Center, 201 S. West St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Dec. 21 | 4 p.m.
Cost: $10 (members and nonmembers) | Buy Online | 362-2785
The Great Outdoors
To celebrate the longest night of the year, come join the team at the Marcellus nature center for a lantern-lit hike. It’s suggested to dress warmly, and snowshoes will be provided if needed.
Where: Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus
When: Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $6 (members), $9 (nonmembers) | Buy Online | 673-1350
Each weekend, stop by Beaver Lake Nature Center for guided walks and talks. This month, enjoy and learn about winter homes of the creatures that roam around the nature center.
December: Winter Wildlife Homes
January: Tracking Wildlife on Snowshoes*
February: Tracking Wildlife on Snowshoes*
*Offered only on snowshoes, with appropriate snowfall
Where: Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville
When: Saturday, Dec. 19 – Sunday, Dec. 20 | 2 p.m.
Cost: Free with cost of admission | Pre-registration may be required: 683-2519
Music
Whether you love ’em or you dislike ’em, which may be in part due to the overplayed commercial (you gotta know when to change the channel), the iconic singer will be entertaining the Turning Stone audience with holiday favorites and originals… and probably throwing “The Gambler” in there for good measure.
Where: Turning Stone Resort Event Center, 5218 Patrick Road, Verona
When: Thursday, Dec. 17 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $30, $50, $60 | Buy Online | 877-361-7469
Local all-star musicians are teaming up for a three-night holiday concert, and the proceeds will benefit The Centers at St. Camillus. Join Loren Barrigar, Donna Colton, Joe Davoli and more at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Where: Crouse Hinds Theater, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 18 – Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $27.36 (general admission), $37.92 (reserved) | Buy Online | 474-6053
Conductor Sean O’Loughlin leads Symphoria with plenty of special guests joining the holiday-themed experience: Julia Goodwin, Nick Ziobro, Syracuse Pops Chorus, Syracuse Children’s Chorus and the Symphoria Dancers.
Each evening begins with a special 6:30 p.m. Spotlight Series performance:
Friday | West Genesee High School Symphony, William Mercer
Saturday | West Genesee High School Wind Ensemble, Andrew Perry; West Genesee High School Chorale, Anthony Alvaro
Where: Crouse Hinds Theater, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 18 – Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $36 (orchestra), $65 (balcony), $80 (mezzanine) | Buy Online Friday, Saturday | 299-5598
Sports
The Crunch are home two consecutive nights this weekend, hosting the Binghamton Senators…
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $16, $20 | Buy Online | 473-4444
…and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $16, $20 | Buy Online | 473-4444
Syracuse University Men’s Basketball
Come cheer on SU as they host Cornell University.
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University, 900 Irving Ave., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Dec. 19: 12 p.m.
Cost: $25 | Buy Online | 1-888-DOME-TIX
Stage
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Come see Charlie Brown and friends like you may have not seen them before — as puppets. The Open Hand Theater presents Charles Shulz’s Christmas Story with handcrafted puppets.
This weekend:
Friday, Dec. 18| 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 2 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20 | 2 p.m.
Where: Open Hand Theater, 518 Prospect Ave., Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 18 – Sunday, Dec. 20
Cost: $15 (adults), $10 (children) | Buy Online | 476-0466
Come see Jim Coon’s retelling of the Dickens holiday classic, which features the array of characters such as Scrooge, the Cratchit family and all the ghosts.
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S. Main St., Homer
When: Thursday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $7 (general), $5 (seniors, students)| Buy Online | 877-749-ARTS (2787)
The beloved Christmas story will come to a close this weekend at the playhouse. Come see Ralphie Parker’s ninth Christmas play-out live as he hopes to find that Red Ryder BB gun under the tree. Bring your own pink rabbit onesies.
This weekend’s schedule:
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18 | 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19| 8 p.m.
Where: Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Dec. 17 – Saturday, Dec. 19
Cost: $17 (Thursday); $20 (Friday, Saturday)| Buy Online | 885-8960
A Christmas Story — Radio Play
What’s the difference between a staged radio play and an actual play? It’s definitely a different experience, which is ever the more reason to go and enjoy the unique experience about this adapted holiday story.
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S. Main St., Homer
When: Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 | Buy Online | 877-749-ARTS (2787)
Syracuse Children’s Theatre presents a musical version of the story we know so well. If you pass up this show, you’ll probably turn into a pumpkin.
This weekend:
Friday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 10 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20| 2 p.m.
Where: Civic Center, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 18 – Sunday, Dec. 20
Cost: $18.50 (adults), $16.50 (students, seniors), $10 (ages 3 to 12) | Buy Online | 432-5437 (info)
Syracuse Children’s Theatre is also performing the musical that incorporates stories such as “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Saturday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m.
Where: Civic Center, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Dec. 18 – Sunday, Dec. 20
Cost: $18.50 (adults), $16.50 (students, seniors), $10 (ages 3 to 12) | Buy Online | 432-5437 (info)
The adventure comes to life, live on stage in this adaptation of the beloved timeless children’s (and adult’s) story. The shows continue until January 3, 2016.
This weekend’s schedule:
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18 | 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20 | 2 p.m.
Where: Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Dec. 17 – Sunday, Jan. 3
Cost: Ticket prices vary by day, time: $20 – $53 | Buy Online | 443-3275
Binghamton native David Sedaris’ essay adaptation returns to Syracuse Stage to brighten your holiday spirit. Come see Crumpet’s one-person show and hear about his past experiences as an elf at Macy’s.
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20 | 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Where: Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Dec. 17 – Sunday, Jan. 3
Cost: $40 (adult), $35 (40 and under, seniors, students), $20 (12 and under) | Buy Online | 443-3275