SPEND THE HOLIDAYS IN STEUBEN COUNTY

Steuben Arts Scene Holiday Pop-Up

Thursday-Saturday through Dec. 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
101 W. Maumee St., Angola

The Gallery on the public square in Angola features 20 regional artists with more than 150 items including pottery, paintings, sculptures, wooden items, jewelry and glass artwork for the Holiday Pop-Up.

Angola Christmas on the Square

Friday, Nov. 29, noon to 9 p.m.
Downtown Angola

Angola’s downtown festivities include ice sculpture demonstrations between noon and 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. Eight sculptures will be displayed throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Hear the sounds of carolers as they bring festive cheer throughout the downtown between 2 and 3 p.m. as well as at the entrance to Sutton’s Deli between 5 and 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus make their holiday season debut at 6 p.m. Visit the public square to watch various artists paint downtown holiday scenes starting at noon. Various restaurants and shops will be offering special discounts throughout the day.

Drive Through Light Show

Nov. 29-Dec. 1; Dec. 6-8; Dec. 13-15; Dec. 20-22 and Dec. 27-28, 6 to 10 p.m.
Steuben County Park
100 LN 101B Crooked Lake, Angola

Drive through the Steuben County 4-H Park on Crooked Lake to see a variety of lighted displays. Free admission with donations accepted.

Old-Fashioned Horse-Drawn Christmas Parade

Saturday, Nov. 30
6 p.m. Downtown Hamilton

Now in its 25th year, the Old-Fashioned Horse-Drawn Christmas Parade in Hamilton is a community favorite. Approximately 40 horse-drawn wagons, festively decked out for Christmas, parade through the town. The route begins at Hamilton High School, proceeds north to Brookside Park, then heads back toward the school. The last wagon brings Santa to town for a visit with the kids at Hamilton Town Hall. Bring your lawn chairs as well as a bag or container to collect the candy that’s thrown during the parade. Be sure to visit The Nutcracker Village between 4:30 and 7 p.m. that features food and gift vendors, free kids crafts and caroling.

Powers Church Christmas Service

Sunday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m.
8090 E. 40 S., Angola
www.powerschurch.org
Free event

Bundle up and enjoy the Christmas service at Powers Church. This service includes a reading of the Christmas story in the King James version of the Bible and congregational singing of traditional carols. Don’t miss this inspiring celebration. Hot cider and cookies will follow the service. Dress warmly, the church, built in 1876, is not heated.

Christmas at The Wishing Well Studio & Gifts

Friday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
7662 N. VanGuilder Rd., Fremont

The Wishing Well Studio & Gifts celebrates their annual open house that features a variety of hand-painted items. The store’s offering 20% off all items during the open house and will serve coffee, cocoa and cookies.

Indiana Christmas Train

Dec. 6-8; Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-23
Pleasant Lake Depot
1469 W. Main St., Pleasant Lake
www.indianarailexperience.org

The Indiana Christmas Trains will depart Pleasant Lake for 90-minute rides with St. Nick on board Dec. 6-8; Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-23. Deluxe coach, first class, family packages, private suites and private cars for families and groups are available. This year, enjoy the Christmas cocktail car for groups of up to 28 guests and ornament class, where guests can create their own ornament during the trip. Upon your arrival at Santa’s Station in Pleasant Lake, sing along with carols and savor a warm drink from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee. Tickets are selling fast, so book your holiday adventure today by first choosing the date, then the time of your trip.

Christmas at Camp

Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 6-7; Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21, 6-10 p.m.
Anthony Wayne Scout Reservation
2282 W. 500 S., Pleasant Lake
Free event and donations accepted

This new drive-through event features more than two miles of lighted displays. Enter the camp then enjoy the displays from the comfort of your vehicle. On Dec. 6 and 7, stop in for the craft bazaar. On Dec. 14 and 21, kids are invited to meet Santa, enjoy refreshments and play games.

Holiday Wagon Rides

Saturday, Dec. 7, 5-8 p.m.
Downtown Angola
Free event

Hop on a horse-drawn wagon and enjoy a short ride through the streets of Angola. Pick up and drop off will be at Monument Plaza, 206 N. Wayne St.

Bethlehem Marketplace

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, 2 to 5 p.m.
Fairview Missionary Church
525 E. 200 N., Angola

Walk the streets of Bethlehem the day after the birth of Christ at the annual Bethlehem Marketplace free indoor walk-through drama.

Trine Christmas Concert

Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m.
T. Furth Center for Performing Arts
500 W. Maumee St., Angola
Free event

Enjoy the sounds of the holidays from both the Trine University orchestra and choir. Traditional Christmas carols as well as other holiday music will be performed.

Holiday Light Ride

Friday, Dec. 13, 5-7 p.m.

Meet at Monument Plaza at 5 p.m. to ride to the YMCA and back. Afterward, gather at Healthie’s for cookies, cocoa and prizes. Rumor has it the Grinch will be joining us again this year. Decorated bikes and Christmas attire are encouraged!

Christmas on the Farm

Dec. 13-14 and 20-21, 5 to 8 p.m.
Double H Farms
7100 S. State Road 1, Hamilton
$15 for adults and $10 for kids

Double H Farms is excited to welcome you to our annual Christmas at the Farm. This popular holiday event is designed to bring joy to families and friends with festive attractions and winter activities, all in the warmth of our climate-controlled barn. Enjoy petting zoo animals, sparkling holiday lights, Santa’s cozy corner, hot chocolate, delicious treats, and live music. Outside, enjoy sledding (weather permitting) and take a tractor ride on our classic John Deere.

Due to popular demand, this event is limited to just four nights with small-group tickets available only by pre-purchase.

No tickets will be sold at the door. 

Fort Wayne Philharmonic Holiday Pops Concert

Saturday, Dec. 14, 2-4 p.m.
T. Furth Center for Performing Arts
500 W. Maumee St., Angola
www.trine.edu/furth

Take a journey through the winter wonderlands and traditional Christmases of bygone days right up to the present, in an entertaining concert of traditional and contemporary favorites, featuring the Philharmonic and soloist Stephanie Carlson. Andrew Constantine, conductor.

Winter Wonderland

Saturday, Dec. 14, noon to 4 p.m.
YMCA of Steuben County, 500 E. Harcourt Rd., Angola,

Join the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce as they host the third Winter Wonderland. Bring the kids to the YMCA of Steuben County for a free afternoon of fun featuring bounce houses, crafts and time with Santa, The Grinch, Anna and Elsa.

Brunch with Santa

Sunday, Dec. 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Potawatomi Inn, 6 LN 100A Lake James, Angola, IN 46703

Join Santa between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Potawatomi Inn & Restaurant for brunch. The menu features carved ham, fried chicken, French toast casserole, an omelet and waffle station, biscuits and gravy and more. Adults $26.99 and children 4-10 $12.99. Call (260) 833-1077 for reservations.

Handel’s Messiah

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2:30 p.m.
T. Furth Center for Performing Arts
500 W. Maumee St., Angola

The Steuben County Festival Choir is performing this holiday favorite for the 11th year. Proceeds benefit the Steuben County Humanities Fund which offers grants to students of the arts. Composed in 1741 by George Handel, “Messiah” is a time-honored Christmas tradition around the world and still remains the most performed piece of music in the Classical repertoire.

Christmas Eve Hike

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 9 a.m.
Pokagon State Park, 450 LN 100 Lake James, Angola

Meet the Pokagon State Park Naturalist at the CCC Shelter for a guided hike to the Spring Shelter, then enjoy a warm fire upon your return. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance. The gate fee of $7 per Indiana vehicle and $9 per out-of-state vehicle will be charged.