Whether you’re just stopping by or have lived here for years, there are always fun events and concerts to keep everyone busy.  December and January has everything from musicals to festivals, so get ready because it’s a great time to be in the Santa Clarita Valley.

December 2012

Friday, November 30-Saturday, December 1
HMNMH Holiday Home Tour & Gift Boutique
Holiday revelers can ring in the season with the Preview Gala on Friday, enjoying an exclusive first look at the homes from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and a buffet dinner at the TPC as well.  Gala tickets are $100 per person.  The Holiday Home Tour Boutique is at the Hyatt Regency Valencia on Saturday, December 1, and open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Home Tour is also Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  For more information, contact the hospital’s Volunteer Services office at 661-253-8051 or visit www.henrymayogiving.com

Saturday, December 1
COC Music Prelude Strings
7 p.m.
Start your holiday season off right with a concert featuring musicians of all ages presenting music fitting to the season.  Symphony of the Canyons will perform in conjunction with guests, the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra and Prelude Strings.  Cost: $10, $5.  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.

Friday – Sunday, December 1-15
Repertory East Playhouse Presents Moonlight & Magnolias
8 p.m. Fri./Sat. • 2 p.m. Sun.
In 1939 Hollywood is abuzz. Legendary producer David O. Selznick has shut down production of his new epic, Gone with the Wind, a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s novel. The screenplay, you see, just doesn’t work. So what’s an all-powerful movie mogul to do? While fending off the film’s stars, gossip columnists and his own father-in-law, Selznick sends a car for famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and pulls formidable director Victor Fleming from the set of The Wizard of Oz. Summoning both to his office, he locks the doors, closes the shades, and on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men labor over five days to fashion a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time.  The Repertory East Playhouse is located at 24266 Main Street in Santa Clarita.

Sunday, December 2, 9 & 23
Ice Station Valencia’s Family Snow Days
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost Child Admission: $12, Adult Admission: Free to play, $5/skate rentals
Ice Station Valencia’s Family Snow Days offer the best of the holidays.  Featuring ice skating, snow play, skating performances, hot cocoa, free skating lessons, and more! Child admission includes: Snow play area on our pond rink from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (shoes, no skates), ice skating and skate rentals on our Olympic rink, hot cocoa, the opportunity to meet Santa, and more!  Special figure skating performances will be from 3:15 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. with free beginning skating lessons at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.  Located at Ice Station Valencia, 27745 N. Smyth Drive in Valencia.  For more information, please visit www.icestation.net.

Sunday, December 2
27th Annual Community Tree Lighting
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Come and visit the Henry Mayo campus for the holiday festivities including free photos with Santa, letters to Santa, holiday carols, hot cocoa and cookies.  You can also make get well cards and crafts for Henry Mayo paitents.  The tree lighting will be at 5 p.m.  For more information, please call 661-200-1304 and visit www.HenryMayo.com/HenryHolidays.

Sunday, December 2
Chancellor’s Choice Series
Manhattan Transfer: Holiday Show with a Special Appearance by COC’s “Just Jazz” Vocal Ensemble
7 p.m.
Manhattan Transfer, the Grammy Award-winning, classic jazz quartet makes its anxiously anticipated return to Santa Clarita.  Come ?nd yourself surrounded by the quartets sounds of the season as they bring holiday ?air to their already breath-taking set.  Whether or not you’re already in the holiday spirit, this uplifting performance is sure to ignite all the wonderful feelings that the season brings.  This remarkable quartet sold out their show in their ?rst appearance at the PAC, so be sure not to miss their return engagement!  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.

Wednesday & Thursday, December 5 & 6
COC Dance – Black Box Holiday Dance Showcase
8 p.m.
Come out and experience the magic and festive spirit of dance as COC Dance presents a showcase of past and present works featuring the dancing and choreography of the COC Dance Company students, guest artists, faculty and alumni.  This show is guaranteed to get you ready for the Holidays and have you singing and moving along to the display of dance through holiday favorites and timeless tunes.  Cost: $10, $5.  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.

Friday, December 7
Second Annual GK Christmas Concert
6:30 p.m.
The concert headliner is the fabulous “Back on Track” along with the some of the most talented singers in SCV and neighboring cities.  They will entertain you with movies greatest hit songs and Christmas songs to bring in the Christmas spirit in to your hearts!  This is one concert you shouldn’t miss! Cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 60 years and older, and $15 for children five through 14 years old, children five years and under are free. All proceeds will go to the building our 4th Santa Clarita Valley Village in the Philippines.  Located at Northpark Community Church, 28310 Kelly Johnson Parkway in Santa Clarita. For tickets and sponsorship, please call Marietta Pascua at 661-476-4684 or Zeny Justiniano at 661-904-6632.

Friday, December 7
Annual Holiday Jazz Band Concert
7:30 p.m.
The Studio Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Bands, under the direction of KC Manji, will usher in the holiday season by performing everyone’s favorite holiday songs. The audience is always welcome to sing along at this event! Grab your singing voice and a joyous spirit, and get ready to tap your foot along with singer Katherine Lench-Meyering and the COC Studio Jazz Ensemble.  Cost: $10 & $5.  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.

Sunday, December 9
Santa Clarita Master Chorale
A World Of Holiday Joy
3:30 p.m.
Welcome the season with a joyful collection of music from around the world.  Featured in this international program of holiday music will be Italian composer, Ottorino Respigi’s lovely “Laud to the Nativity.”  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.

Sunday, December 9
Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society Open Pro Blues Jam hosted by Stoney B. Blues Band
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A very popular Blues Jam, bring your instruments and sign in at the door.  Come hungry, Vincenzo’s has great pizza and salads.  Located at Vincenzo’s Pizza, 24504 1/2 Lyons Avenue in Santa Clarita.   For more information please contact info@scvblues.org.

Sunday, December 9
Annual Christmas Concert
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Kick the Christmas season off by attending Santa Clarita UMC’s annual Christmas concert.  All our choirs will perform, from the Littlest Disciples Preschool Choir to the adult Chancel Voices Choir.  The Hand Bell Choirs will also perform along with the Messenger’s Gospel Choir and our praise band, Living Reign.  This is a wonderful evening of Christmas music, traditional and modern.  Everyone is invited to come and bring friends.  Located at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  Contact the church office at 661-297-3783 for more information.

Saturday & Sunday, December 15 & 16
Santa Clarita Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Saturday • 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Sunday
In their 18th annual performance of The Nutcracker, the Santa Clarita Ballet presents a classic program and favorite holiday tradition for the Santa Clarita families and patrons of the arts from all over Southern California. The Santa Clarita Ballet beautifully illustrates E.T.A. Hoffman’s timeless story of “The Nutcracker,” complete with beloved characters, magical staging, exquisite costumes, and the recognizable composition by Peter Tchaikovsky.  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.

Saturday-Sunday, December 15 & 16
Drive-Through Living Nativity
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Experience the Nativity with your family as you drive through. Beautiful scenery and many costumed actors bring the Nativity to life. A favorite of families for many years.  Located at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  Contact the church at 661-297-3783 for more information.

Thursday, December 20
SENSES on Main
7 p.m.
Wondering where everyone is on the third Thursday of the month?  Well come on down to Main Street in Old Town Newhall for SENSES on Main.  Each month a newly themed event is held for all to enjoy.  Bring your friends and family down for a fun-filled evening.  For more information, please visit www.SensesonMain.com or call the Arts and Events Office at 661-250-3787.

Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve Worship
5 p.m. – 6 p.m., 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. & 11p.m.
Come worship with us!  The Christmas Pageant, “Dude, You Hear What I Hear?” will be performed by the children at 5 p.m.  Traditional Christmas Eve worship with choirs, an orchestra and candlelight takes place at 7 p.m. and a traditional service with carols, communion and candlelight takes place at 11 p.m.  Childcare is available for the 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. services.  Everyone is invited to join us as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child.  Located at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  Contact the church at 661-297-3783 for more information.

Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Tuesday, December 25  Christmas Day

January 2013

Saturday, January 5.  Book Signing with Author Stephen Hemmert
Come meet author and Agua Dulce resident, Stephen Hemmert as he will be signing and promoting his new book Dating and the 50-Year-Old Man.  The book signing will be at noon at Barnes & Noble, located at 23630 Valencia Boulevard in Santa Clarita.  Books will be available for purchase as well.

Saturday, January 19
Chancellor’s Choice Series
An Intimate Evening With Clint Black
8 p.m.
Spend an intimate evening with one of Country Music’s biggest stars: award-winning singer-songwriter Clint Black!  Cost: $85, $70 & $55.  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.

Thursday, January 24
College of the Canyons Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
5:30 p.m.
The College of the Canyons Athletic Hall of Fame committee will induct the 2013 class including the 1975 State Championship men’s cross country team, former softball coach Ray Whitten, former men’s basketball player Nick Sanderson, former swimmer Christine (Castellanos) Worby, former softball player Chantal Pershing and the late former baseball player Robert Corrales.  Cost: $75 per person.  Located at the Hyatt Regency in Valencia. For more information and tickets, please visit www.COCAthletics.com or call the COC Foundation at 661-362- 3434.

Friday, January 25
Great Performances Series
Drum Line Live
8 p.m.
DRUMLine Live is a sound and visual explosion of high-energy beats, incredible athleticism and infectious choreography that will overload your senses with pure elation. Created by the music team behind 20th Century Fox’s hit movie “Drumline,” this energetic stage show is based on the show-style marching bands traditionally found at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). These bands started out as support for their college football teams and quickly grew into a sport of their own, featuring characteristic high stepping, funky dance rhythms, and exciting musical repertoire ranging from classical to Top 40.  Located at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at COC, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.  For more information, please call 661-362-5304 and visit www.canyonspac.com.