Holiday Events: Raising Bakersfield

"Season of Light" Planetarium Show

December 5th & 6th, 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm, BC Planetarium.

Each show will begin with a short tour of the evening sky using the planetarium's Goto Chronos star projector followed by the 37-minute all-dome presentation from Loch Ness Productions called "Season of Light" using our Spitz SciDome projector.

"This presentation traces the history and development of many of the world's most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season — from the burning Yule log, sparkling Christmas tree lights and candles in windows, to the lighting of luminarias in the American Southwest and the traditional ritual of the Hanukkah Menorah.

'Season of Light' also recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice — not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. It also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions: from gift-giving and kissing under the mistletoe, to songs about lords a-leaping and ladies dancing, and the custom of decking the halls with greenery and candles. St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all drop by as well.

Naturally, there is some astronomy in 'Season of Light'. Audiences learn a selection of Northern hemisphere winter constellations, and find out why we even have seasons, as we demonstrate the Sun's path across the sky throughout the year, and the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun. And of course, the program explores the possible astronomical explanations for a 'Star over Bethlehem' in the last quarter of the show: comets, meteors, novae and supernovae, and planetary conjunctions." (Loch Ness Productions) Tickets are available for $5/adults and $3/children+seniors from the Bakersfield College Ticket Office only (tickets will NOT be sold at the door). The BC Ticket Office is in Business Services (395-4326) and the William M Thomas Planetarium is on the second floor, northwest end of the Math-Science Building, Room 112. The map below shows you where the ticket office and the planetarium are. No food, drink, or gum/candy are allowed in the planetarium. Children must be 5 years or older.

The Magical Forest

Enjoy a holiday adventure! With the holiday season approaching, the top of Stockdale Towers parking structure will be transformed for the month of December into a winter wonderland of lights and displays. Magical Forest, BARC's signature event, will delight every age! Enjoy Santa's Secret Shoppe, forest of sights and sounds, tantalizing food, Santa at the North Pole, Grinchmobile and train rides, live entertainment, and over 30 crafters.

Make it a Family Tradition

December 5th - 28th, 2008
6 P.M. - 9 P.M.

Stockdale Towers Parking Structure
5060 California Avenue

Call 71-MAGIC for more Information

COME SEE SANTA AT ELLIE JAYES BABY BOUTIQUE!!!

Holiday shopping night on FIRST FRIDAY DECEMBER 5TH from 5pm to 8pm!!!

Santa Clause will be at Ellie Jayes!!!! There will be horse drawn carrage rides on 19th, and also FFREEtrolley rides!! Bring the family for a fun filled event!!!

Hope to see you all there!!

Ellie Jayes Baby Boutique!

Santa's Breakfast

8 - 11 am, Greenacres Community Center.

Have pancakes with the big guy! Bring the whole family for breakfast with Santa and have your picture taken with the jolly ol' elf.

Be sure to get your tickets early! This popular holiday event has sold out for the past 11 years. Tickets sold in advance at Greenacres Community Center beginning Nov. 17, 2008.

The Knack Saturdays: Santa's Workshop

10am - 12pm, Michaels. Santa's Workshop: Kids can make three great gifts for friends and loved ones — and wrap them too!

During The KnackSM Saturdays events, kids ages 5–12 will create their own fun craft for only $5 per child, including supplies. The Knack Saturdays offer 30-minute sessions at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30am.

Christmas Bizarre Open House!!

All your last minute Christmas shopping in one spot!!

Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Purses, Tupperware, Partylite, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Arbonne, and Hairbows.

Sunday, December 7th.

Come shopping anytime between 1pm and 4pm.

Bring some friends, but please no children!!

Contact me with any questions!!

Holiday Party at Borders

6 pm, Borders.

Join us for an evening of in-store holiday festivities and bring the whole family. While you shop for the perfect gifts, kids will enjoy caroling, games, fun activities and storytimes. Join in the memory game, scavenger hunt and more. Color the holiday elves, make gift labels, solve the holiday word puzzle, then cozy up for a holiday story with Chaucer the bear. Enjoy tasty treats from Seattle's Best Coffee® too.

Children's Holiday Activity

Tuesday, 4 - 5 pm, Beal Memorial Library.

"Season of Light" Planetarium Show

December 12th & 13th, 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm, BC Planetarium.

Bakersfield Symphony Nutcracker

Rabobank Arena.

December 12, 7:30 pm

December 13, 1 pm & 7:30 pm

December 14, 1 pm

The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra and Civic Dance Center will celebrate their 31st season of performing Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker together. The beautiful music of Tchaikovsky and magical dancing combine to bring the story of the Nutcracker to life!

http://www.bakersfieldsymphony.org/special_events.php

NOR Christmas Parade 2008

10 am, North Chester Avenue.

This year's theme is Christmas Past: Remembering 100 Years. Please join us for this holiday tradition. We encourage floats, bicycles, roller skates and precision marching groups. All entries must be propelled by people power.

Cookies at the Clock Tower

11:00am to 3:00pm, Kern County Museum.

Enjoy a family day at the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center with plenty of cookies and hot drinks. Visions of Sugar Plums will be the theme for great craft activities for the children. Everyone gets a chance at the raffle prizes, family activities and entertainment including magicians and visits with Santa! Admission is $5.00 for adults and children 3-12. Children under 3 and Museum Members are admitted free.