There's Plenty of Activities This Holiday Season; Check These Out

Are you ready for the holidays?

Well, Brandon organizations and businesses are preparing to help residents get into the spirit of the season with a number of events scheduled throughout the month of December.

A Christmas to Remember

The Palmer House Bed & Breakfast, in partnership with Florida Baptist Children's Home will host A Christmas to Remember from 3-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3 at 2221 Hinton Ranch Rd., Lithia. There will be a tour of the Palmer House decorated for the season, holiday gift items to purchase, refreshments and live music and a drawing for a weekend stay. The donation is $10. Call 813-654-0961.

The Nutcracker

The Brandon Ballet, the area's regional ballet company, will present its annual holiday production of Dec. 10-11. Performances will take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 2 and 5:30 p.m. at Spoto High School's auditorium, 8538 Eagle Palm Dr., Riverview. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children 18 and under and $20 for seniors 55 and up. For assisted living communities where chaperones are required, the ballet offers two free chaperone tickets for every 10 seats purchased.Tickets are available at shop.brandonballet.org or by calling 813-684-4282.

All That Glitters

The All Children's Hospital Guild of Brandon will host "All That Glitters" Friday, Dec. 2 at the in FishHawk Ranch starting at 6:30 p.m. The Brandon School of Dance Arts will provide entertainment and a disc jockey will provide music throughout the evening. The master of ceremonies for the event is WFLA News Channel 8 anchor Rod Carter. There will be a dance contest, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, a cash bar with beer and wine, desserts, a 50/50 drawing and a lottery board. Artwork and decorated ornaments made by children in the hospital will be for sale. Dress if business casual. Advance tickets are $25 and tickets are $30 at the door.

Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival

Apostles Lutheran Church invites residents to celebrate the holidays in the style of the Middle Ages in England with the annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival Dec. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. at the church, 200 Kingsway Rd., Brandon. In the tradition of the Middle Ages in England, the church invites residents to experience the pageantry and merriment, music, theater and the wonder of the nativity all woven together to celebrate the coming of Jesus. Doors open a half hour prior to the performances. The performances are free. Visit apostlesfestival.org or call 813-689-2571.

Winterfest at Winthrop

The second annual Winterfest at Winthrop will take place Dec. 2-4. Hosted by the Greater Brandon Community Foundation, the event will feature a tree lighting, entertainment, a fun zone, Santa's workshop, vendors, a Santa 5K run, lunch with Santa and a Santa Paws Parade. Visit the foundation's website for more information.

Walk Through Bethlehem

Kings Avenue Baptist Church will again transform the church grounds in the town of Bethlehem for its annual Walk Through Bethlehem, a free program for the community. This year's walk is set for Dec. 8 from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Dec. 9 from 6:30-10 p.m., Dec. 10 from 4-10 p.m. and Dec. 11 from 4-9:30 p.m. Members of the church will dress in period costumes and present the story of the birth of Jesus as residents tour the town.

Madrigal Dinner

's Chamber Choir will present a Dec. 2-3 at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Brandon, 121 N. Knights Ave., Brandon. The medieval feast will feature roast chicken, side items, bread, dessert and wassail for $22. Costumed choir students will perform skits, tell jokes and serenade diners. For information, call 813-334-6023.

Wigilia Polish Christmas Eve Concert

The Cultural and Diversity Ministry at , 5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico, will present a , a traditional Polish Christmas Eve concert, starring Emily Tworek-Helenbrook and Roxana Nowicki, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Accompanying the guest singers will be the church's youth string musicians, the Cross Bows, and Valrico pianist Amanda Cooley. George Miecyjak will be the narrator. Pre-sale tickets are $10 and tickets at the door are $12. They can be purchased at the church office or at Taste of Europe Polish Deli, 717 Lumsden Rd., Brandon.

Holiday Events at Center Place

Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Rd., Brandon, will host Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 27th annual will take place Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

Pat's Corner will host a holiday open house Thursday, Dec. 8 from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

children theater with Stages Productions will take place Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.

For more information call 813-685-8888.

Santa Breakfast

The Newsome High School Band will host its annual at the Fishhawk Boulevard on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children and includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice, milk or soft drinks. Several themed gift baskets will be raffled, and many local vendors available so residents can purchase gifts. All Proceeds will go to the Newsome High School Marching Band. If you would like to be included as a vendor, contact Theresa Ketcham at tketcham@scsengineers.com or 813-731-0269.

Boat Parade and Chili Cook-Off

The FishHawk-Riverview Rotary Club will present the 28th annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade and Chili Cook-Off Dec. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the International Independent Showmen's Association, 6915 Riverview Drive, on the Alafia River. Admission is free. There will be face painting, free kids' photos with Santa, entertainment, food and a silent auction. Those interested in entering the chili cook-off should contact Dr. Kimberly Tyson, secretary of the club, at 813-672-3687. The first-place winner will receive $75 and a restaurant certificate. The entry fee is $15. There also will be cash prizes for the best-decorated boats. The boat entry fee is $25. The entry deadline is Nov. 30. All proceeds will benefit the club's charitable work.

Holiday Home Tour

Be prepared to see some beautiful homes and outstanding holiday decorations that will inspire you to decorate your own homes. The Brandon Service League is hosting its 19th annual Holiday Home Tour Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring four beautifully decorated homes in the area. In addition to touring the homes, guests will enjoy light refreshments and a holiday gourmet booth where they can purchase goodies. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at , 1032 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico; Divine Designs Salon & Spa, 1606 Oakfield Dr., Brandon; , 863 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon; and the Law Office of B. Lee Elam, 101 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon. Residents will receive a map locating the homes on the tour at the time of the ticket purchase. All proceeds will benefit area charities. For additional information, contact Melinda White at 813-967-1925.