Weather Forecast
(Subject to change, of course.) THURSDAY Temperature: 57 degrees / 45 degrees Conditions: Break out the shorts, wash them and iron them. FRIDAY Temperature: 59 degrees / 42 degrees Conditions: Clouds: We’re used to them. SATURDAY Temperature: 56 degrees / 50 degrees Conditions: A little rain never hurt anybody. SUNDAY Temperature: 61 degrees / 54 degrees Conditions: Shorts weather (plus 10 degrees).
Arts & Crafts
Artisans Against Hunger Craft Show, Fundraiser Shop locally and independently. Come check out all that is good in Central New York. Donations will be accepted for the Humane Society and the local food bank. Where: Dewitt Community Church at 3600 Erie Blvd E., DeWitt. When: Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free admission. Donations weclome.
Comedy & Improv
Salt City Improv presents: Our “Most Wonderful Time” Show Salt City Improv’s seasonally-named Pork Pie Hutt and SkittleFett take your mind off of the “War on Christmas” and showcase short and long-form improv, proving there is no light or dark side with improv. Where: Salt City Improv Theatre, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse When: Saturday, Dec. 12: 8 p.m. Cost: $10 | 410-1962 Syracuse Improv Collective presents: “Seasonally Appropriate SIC Salad” Treat yourself to a healthy dose of long-form improv, music and art with this monthly installment of the beloved “Bank Show.” Eat the Cake 2, No Friends Just Benefits and Satan’s Closet will generate some scene work, Tin Can Twins Cantina will provide the tunes, and Frank and Meghan will visually articulate improvised art. Where: The Vault, 451 S. Warren St., Syracuse When: Friday, Dec. 11: 8 p.m. Cost: $5 | 430-9027
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. 10 – 19 | 6-7 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Cost: $15 (adults), $8 (children), Free (12 and younger) | 252-1283 Dickens Christmas 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.) 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) Festival of Trees The 30th Anniversary of Festival of Trees is taking place at the Everson again, and its aging and becoming more vibrant every year. To celebrate, here are additional special events: Happy Hour with Joe Driscoll | Thursday, Dec. 10 | 5-8 p.m. Casual attire | $10 (members), $15 (non-members) | 474-6943 Santa Saturdays | Saturday, Dec. 12 | 1-4 p.m. $5 (per person), free (10 and younger Where: Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., Syracuse When: Thursday, Dec. 10 – Sunday, Dec. 13 | Open Wednesdays – Sundays Cost: $5 (per person) | Free (10 and younger) Lights on the Lake 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 A Magical Christmas!
Four-Legged Fun
CNY SPCA Santa Paws Santa stops by the local SPCA for some photo opportunities with your pets. All proceeds help fund the shelter. Where: CNY SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Rd., Syracuse When: Saturday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, Dec. 13: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $7 (per picture) Holidays with the Animals Come hang out with the zoo’s friendly faces as they receive some treats for the holiday season. Schedule: 10:15 a.m. | African Lion 10:30 a.m. | Meerkat, Fossa 10:45 a.m. | Giant Pacific Octopus 11:00 a.m. | Humboldt Penguin 11:15 a.m. | Gray Wolf 11:30 a.m. | Amur Tiger 11:45 a.m. | Eurasian Lynx 12:00 p.m. | Asian Elephant 12:15 p.m. | Snow Leopard, Red Panda 12:30 p.m. | Spectacled Bear 1:30 p.m. | Desert Lizard 1:45 p.m. | Armadillo, Golden Lion Tamarin 2:00 p.m. | Siamang 2:15 p.m. | Patas Monkey 2:30 p.m. | Lemur Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, One Conservation Pl., Syracuse When: Saturday, Dec. 12: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: Free for members, included with paid admission Recycle-A-Bull Bully Breed Rescue The pit pull rescue program, Recycle-A-Bull, is also hosting Santa Paws. Aside having the opportunity to snap a pic of your pup with Santa, enjoy local vendors with great offerings. Bring clothing and toys a drive to go to local families in need. Where: Lakeside Fire Department, 1002 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse When: Sunday, Dec. 13: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. How much: $3 (person), Free (12 and under)
The Great Outdoors
Weekend Guided Walks 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. 12 – Sunday, Dec. 13: 2 p.m. Cost: Free with cost of admission | Pre-registration may be required: 683-2519 Winter Farmers Market It’s the second Saturday of the month, which means the Baltimore Woods market is taking place this weekend. Where: Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus When: Saturday, Dec. 12: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cost: Free to attend
Music
Sports
Syracuse Crunch The Toronto Marlies venture back to Syracuse to take on the Crunch this holiday weekend. Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse When: Saturday, Dec. 12: 7 p.m. Cost: $16, $20 | Buy Online | 473-4444 Syracuse Silver Knights Whose side are you on? Of course, you’ll be cheering for the Silver Knights as they host Baltimore Blast. The question is will you join the light or dark side? At this “Star Wars” event, the Knights will be wearing customized “Star Wars” jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game, and the first 1,000 kids under 16 will be given Blue Rock Energy light swords. Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse When: Friday, Nov. 11: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $17.50 (adult), $14.50 (youth) | 303-7261 Syracuse University Women’s Basketball Come cheer on SU as they host Arizona State. The Orange women are off to a great start and are undefeated at home. Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University, 900 Irving Ave., Syracuse When: Saturday, Dec. 12: 1 p.m. Cost: $5, $20 | Buy Online | 1-888-DOME-TIX
Stage
Beauty and the Beast Jr. The Landmark Theatre’s camp presents the timeless tale of not-so-much love at first site. The children between the ages of 8 and 15 have been participating in the camp since October, and these are the two culminating performances. Where: The Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse When: Saturday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, Dec. 13: 1 p.m. (both days) Cost: $16 (adults), $10 (children) | 475-7979 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. 11 | 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 | 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 | 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 | 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13| 2 p.m. Where: Open Hand Theater, 518 Prospect Ave., Syracuse When: Friday, Dec. 11 – Sunday, Dec. 20 Cost: $15 (adults), $10 (children) | Buy Online | 476-0466