Have a very prairie Christmas

When I was a kid growing up in the tiny town of Marquette, Man., one of my favourite holiday happenings was visiting Santa Claus at Polo Park in Winnipeg. Not only did it mean a trip to the ‘big city’ and a visit to the mall, it also meant the big day was just around the corner.

Then, as we’d drive back home across frozen wide-open prairie landscapes, visions of what Santa might bring danced in my head. To me, that mall visit was the official kick-off to Christmas — a holiday tradition and cherished memory that remains as vivid as it was in real-life.

All these years later, Santa Claus still brings the magic of the season to malls across the city with photo sessions, selfie stations, and larger-than-life toys and games. Locations this year include Kildonan Place, and – my old stompin’ grounds – CF Polo Park. Over at St. Vital Centre, if you book your photo in advance you’ll receive a free personalized phone call from Santa before your visit. Check out their full schedule at stvitalcentre.com for sensory and story-time events, ugly sweater gatherings, and pajama parties in the Enchanted Forest.

If you like holiday music, then you’ll love the many diverse offerings this Christmas. I’ve been seeing a lot of online promotion for Candlelight concerts and they look divine. The Fort Garry Hotel is hosting a Candlelight Holiday Special that will bring a multi-sensory live musical experience to its historical downtown destination. Enjoy classics like O Holy Night, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, and more, from Dec. 20-23.

If grooving to the sounds of ‘The King’ is more your style… don’t miss Rockin’ Elvis Christmas with Rory Allen and his 11-piece band at Club Regent Event Centre on Dec. 15. The next night, take in local folk/roots band Red Moon Road and its holiday show, Simple Kind of Christmas, at the West End Cultural Centre on Dec. 16. The night after that, on Dec. 17, Winnipeg musical legend Fred Penner takes the stage at Burton Cummings Theatre. Then you can take a breath before heading back to Club Regent Event Centre on Dec. 21 for Crash Test Dummies, who are on tour with their festive record, Jingle All the Way.

Theatre shows are also popular this time of year. It’s A Wonderful Life, based on the beloved 1946 film that follows the life of George Bailey, plays at Kilcona Park Alliance Church Dec. 14-17. A musical adaption of the C.S. Lewis novel, Narnia, is on at Manitoba Theatre for Young People until Dec. 23.

Over at Prairie Theatre Exchange, Outside Joke’s A Christmas Carol: Big Dickens Energy – the classic tale of redemption as you’ve never seen it before, performed by a musical improv troupe – is on Dec. 12-23. Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre presents The Sound of Music until Dec. 23, kicking off the holiday season on a high note with catchy songs, singing children, a doting nanny, and a strict but affectionate father.

At Knox United Church, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, along with the Canadian Mennonite University Festival Chorus, will perform the story of mankind’s redemption through Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 15 and 16. Written in just three weeks, Handel’s beautiful work continues to withstand the test of time. Orchestras and choirs perform it annually to audiences around the world, making it the only composition of its time to be performed continuously since first premiering in 1742 in Dublin.

Whether your holiday tradition is old or new… may you enjoy it with your favourite people as you gather together to celebrate this special time of year.