Arts & Events Calendar

Animal Allies Presents Humane Education Events

Most events are scheduled upon request; please contact Animal Allies for details

Animal Allies Humane Society believes that caring children become caring adults. They are pleased to be able to share their mission and message with classrooms and community organizations through planned lessons and programs, including everything from classroom visits, educational programming for adults, senior living programming, college therapy animal visits, Friday Night Movie Nights, Sunday morning Reading to Dogs, shelter tours, birthday parties, and Youth Allies service clubs! To learn more, please visit animalallies.net, or contact Dr. Shawna Weaver, Animal Allies’ humane education manager: (218) 722-5341, ext. 220, or email education@animalallies.net.

The Duluth Playhouse Presents A Christmas Carol Now through December 17

A Christmas Carol, adapted from the Charles Dickens novel, brings the beloved classic to life on the Depot stage. Ebenezer Scrooge is a solitary old miser, embittered after a life spent in pursuit of wealth. But the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future visit him on Christmas Eve. They show him the impact of his life in the hopes of persuading him to make a change for the better before it is too late. Visit duluthplayhouse.org or call (218) 733-7555.

Bentleyville! Now through December 26

Billed as America’s largest free walk-through lighting display, Bentleyville invites guests to stroll under the glow of over four million lights in a 20-acre park situated on the shores of Lake Superior, while enjoying complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and roasted marshmallows! Have your photo taken with Rudolph, and visit with Santa to share your Christmas wishes (kids ten and under will receive a new knit hat after visiting with Santa!). Mrs. Claus will also be at Bentleyville to tell stories and hand out candy canes! Bentleyvilleusa.org

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Duluth Art Institute Presents Laurentian: Paul LaJeunesse & Lake Superior Wood Turners

On display now through January 1st

The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province, also known as the North Woods, is a forested eco-region in the United States and Canada. This exhibition celebrates the wild woodland surrounding Duluth with five new paintings by Paul LaJeunesse that are allegories for stewardship of the Northland’s natural environment. Sound artists will create aural works that respond to the paintings and will be played directly over each one by parametric speakers. Also on view will be items made from Laurentian wood by the Lake Superior Wood Turners, a group of some 60 individuals interested in the creation and promotion of turned wood. Duluthartinstitute. org

A Glensheen Christmas

Now through January 7th

Come to A Glensheen Christmas, to see the 39-room Glensheen Mansion decked out for the holidays. Featuring over 25 Christmas Trees, hundreds of feet of garland, and small hidden elves for you to find through the mansion. Start your experience with free hot cocoa in the Carriage House. Take a memorable family photo on a Portland Cutter sleigh. See if you can spot the hidden elves as you hear Christmas Congdon stories. Sample a free Christmas cookie recreated from Clara’s very own shortbread cookie recipe. Finish your tour by exploring the lakeside grounds. Glensheen.com

Glensheen’s Candlelight Christmas Tours

December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 – 23, 26 – 30

Find yourself in the Glensheen Mansion, being guided by the lights of the Christmas trees. This gorgeous display will surely make it onto your yearly Christmas bucket list, as you are fully immersed into what it must have been like for the Congdons on a magical Christmas evening. On this guided tour, each group is accompanied by two guides who will illuminate pieces throughout the house. Glensheen requests that guests do not bring their own flashlights. Glensheen.com

Christmas City Express Train aboard the North Shore Scenic Railroad

December 1 – 3, 8 - 10, 15 - 17

Experience the magic of the holidays aboard the North Shore Scenic Railroad. Travel from Fitgers to the Duluth Depot, where you’ll be treated to a reading of the new Christmas City Express story, enjoy carolers, and a visit from a special guest! Reservations are strongly recommended, as most trains sell out in advance. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Fitgers complex starting at 3 pm on the dates of departure, but space is limited and RELAXED reservations are strongly recommended. All tickets will need to be picked up at Fitgers before departure. northshorescenicrailroad. org/exspecial.html

Duluth Art Institute Presents Window to the West

December 1 – 31

Photographer Nik Nerburn and painter Brad Tollefson are creating a collaborative art exhibit on the streets of West Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, titled “Window to the West.” A selection of Tollefson’s paintings and Nerburn’s photographs will be on display in the storefront windows of 2001 West Superior Street for six months. Lincoln Park is undergoing a rebranding as the “Lincoln Park Craft District,” with many new craft businesses and artists moving in, providing tangible benefits to the neighborhood and its residents. “Window to the West” focuses on people and places on the margins of the neighborhood’s transformation, however, and their worries about affordability, displacement, and change. The work will be on display in two empty storefronts at 2001 West Superior Street, through a partnership between the Duluth Art Institute and the Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Agency, which owns the Seaway Hotel building. Duluthartinstitute.org

Bright Nights at the Great Lakes Aquarium

December 7, 14, 21

Make the Aquarium your pre-Bentleyville stop on Thursday nights between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Park early and enjoy extended hours at the Aquarium and a special dive program before heading to the tour of lights. $5.00 parking during Bentleyville is limited and not guaranteed. Bright Nights at the Aquarium … Come for the Fish. Stay for the Lights! Held at 353 Harbor Drive. Glaquarium. org

The Underground presents Santaland Diaries

December 7 - 9

Join the Underground for an outrageous holiday comedy starring Crumpet, a rebel without a Clause who recounts the true-life tale of an out-of-work writer’s stint as a Macy’s Department Store elf. The Underground Theater is located on the 1st floor of the Depot. Visit duluthplayhouse.org or call (218) 733-7555.

The Minnesota Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

December 8 - 10

It’s time for the Nutcracker! This holiday favorite sparkles with Robert Gardner’s Uncle Drosselmeier and Mother Ginger, classic roles he has delightfully filled for the Minnesota Ballet for 25 years. And there’s so much more in this Allen Fields’ production. The festive party in a Manhattan townhouse. The fierce battle between the Nutcracker and soldiers against the Mouse King and his minions. Shimmery snowflakes waltzing in whitecapped Central Park. A journey to exotic lands of beautiful dance presided over by the Sugar Plum Fairy and capped by lovely waltzing flowers, all to the beloved Tchaikovsky music played by our Minnesota Ballet Orchestra. Performance times are as follows: Friday, December 8, 2017: 7 pm. Saturday, December 9, 2017: 7 pm. Sunday, December 10, 2017: 3 pm. All performances held at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Purchase tickets at the DECC ticket office, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com.