Top 5 ways to get in the Holiday Spirit

What are you celebrating this December? Christmas? Hanukkah? Kwanzaa? Maybe Three Kings Day? Whatever the holiday you are preparing to celebrate, here are Oakland Symphony’s Top 5 Ways to get in the Holiday Spirit.

1. Let Us Break Bread Together: Music from the Era of the Black Panthers – December 11

Celebrate the holidays with your Oakland Symphony! On Sunday, December 11, 4PM Oakland Symphony takes the stage at the Paramount Theatre to bring you a nontraditional holiday tradition. Performers joining the Symphony include Kugelplex, Linda TIllery & Friends, Mt. Eden Concert Choir, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Oakland Symphony Chorus, and Vocal Rush. You’ll hear some holiday favorites to get you in the mood and this year we perform protest music from the 60’s and 70’s, Motown classics, gospel and so much more!

There will be performances in the lobby before the concert and a photo exhibit of the Black Panther Party.

Get your tickets and see the full program here.

2. Fairy Winterland Celebration

Bring the kids to Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave, Lakside Park, for the Fairy Winterland Celebration running from December 16-23. Park hours are from noon to 7PM.

Fairyland will be transformed featuring live performances celebrating holidays from many cultures, appearances by Santa Claus, special decorations and thousands of twinkling lights, rides, puppet shows, arts and crafts, free holiday treats, cider and hot cocoa, and more surprises.

For more information visit fairyland.org.

3. Oakland Ballet performs The Nutcracker – December 17 & 18

Oakland Symphony provides the soundtrack for Oakland Ballet’s performances of Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker on December 17 & 18 at the Paramount Theatre.

Learn the story of this ballet here.

Find more information and tickets here.

4. Skate into the holidays at Oakland Ice Center

Enjoy the holidays in Oakland this year as you ice skate to all of your favorite holiday music. The Oakland Ice Center is open to the public now through January 8 to get you in the holiday spirit.

For full details visit oaklandice.com.

5. Holidays are FUN on Lakeshore – December 9 & 10

Have fun in the Lakeshore Business District with free carriage rides and face painting for the family. On Friday, December 9, rides run from 4-6PM at 3340 Lakeshore and on Saturday, December 10 from 1-3PM. For full details visit lakeshoreoakland.com.