DEC. 2-3
THE MESSIAH: Murfreesboro.

The Middle Tennessee Choral Society performs portions of Handel's "Messiah" at 3 p.m. in the Hinton Music Hall of MTSU's Wright Music Building. In addition, the advanced MTSU Schola Cantorum chorale will feature a grouping of seasonal favorites. Plus, Dr. Raphael Bundage will direct a select orchestra in Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" -- a tribute to the composer's 100th birthday. Tickets at the door: $10 for adults; seniors age 65+ $9; children age 12 and younger $8; MTSU students free. For information, call 867-4781. Note: There is a Monday performance at 7 p.m.

DEC. 3-8
SANTA'S WONDERLAND: Murfreesboro. Walk through the enchanted forest of lights and glimpse a view of Christmas past, present and future. This great family event, Santa’s Wonderland, will be at Patterson Community Center. Don’t forget to stop and visit the holly, jolly man himself – Santa Claus! Visit times are Monday-Thursday, 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, 1-5 p.m. The fee is either general pass admission or donation of two cans of food for the Murfreesboro City Schools’ Family Resource Center. Patterson Community Center is located at 521 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

DEC. 6-23
"A CHRISTMAS STORY" Murfreesboro: The classic holiday movie adapted for the stage will be presented at the Center for the Arts, 110 West College St. The play centers on memories of growing up in a small town and what happens with a second-grader’s quest for a Red Ryder BB gun. Tickets: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and $8 for children under age 12. For more information, call the Center for the Arts at 904-ARTS (2787) or visit website www.BoroArts.org Continues weekends throughout December.


DEC. 7
SANTA ARRIVES ON THE HISTORIC MURFREESBORO SQUARE. Murfreesboro's Public Square: 6 to 8 p.m. The night is filled with Christmas music from school and church choirs, music ensembles, storytellers, dance groups and more. Plus, the Murfreesboro Fire Department brings Santa to town and the County Christmas Tree is lit in front of the Historic Courthouse in what is one of the community's favorite holiday events. Downtown merchants and restaurants are open for the arrival.


DEC. 8
OAKLANDS CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES: Oaklands Historic House Museum, Murfreesboro. Usher in the holiday season with an enchanting tour of historic homes. The annual Tour of Homes will be from 4 – 8 p.m. The tour, sponsored by the Oaklands Association, will feature beautiful and historic private homes and the graceful Oaklands Mansion. Set in the historic district of Murfreesboro, stops along the tour will include festively adorned historical homes and churches. Additionally, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Murfreesboro Camp #33 will present a living history demonstration of the lawn of the mansion. Admission charged. CONTACT: 615-893-0022, www.oaklandsmuseum.org

REMINISCING IN BLUE AND GRAY: THE BATTLE OF THE CEDARS: Murfreesboro. Stones River Battlefield visitors are invited to share the stories of two soldiers who fought each other during the Battle of the Cedars on Dec. 7, 1864. This small battle pitted Union forces from Fortress Rosecrans against Confederates commanded by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. The Federal victory along the Wilkinson Pike ended the last major threat to Northern control of the Murfreesboro area. Programs will be presented at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Tour Stop #2. Each program will include a musket demonstration. CONTACT: 615-893-9501, www.nps.gov/stri

SMYRNA TOUR OF HOMES: A Candlelight Christmas: The Smyrna Tour of Homes will be taking place on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. The Sam Davis Home will be the first stop, and the primary place to purchase tickets on the day of the event. Historic homes, modern homes, a local church, and a few family-owned businesses will be showcased around Smyrna, each home filled with door prizes from local establishments. The door prize drawings will take place at the last house on the tour. All the proceeds from this event will go to the Smyrna Boys and Girls Club and the Sam Davis Home.

The Sam Davis Home is located at 1399 Sam Davis Road in Smyrna, Tennessee. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Pre-purchased tickets are available at the Sam Davis Home and local Smyrna businesses. CONTACT: 615-459-2341, www.samdavishome.org

CHRISTMAS AT CANNONSBURGH: Cannonsburgh Village, Murfreesboro. Cannonsburgh will be dressed in old-time tradition. Music and fun for the family. CONTACT: 615-890-0355

DEC. 8-9
Bethlehem Marketplace: Murfreesboro. 26th Annual Bethlehem Marketplace at Southeast Baptist Church, 708 Minerva Drive. This is a walk-through drama re-enacting how the village Bethlehem might have appeared the morning after the birth of Jesus. There are live camels, Roman soldiers taking a census and villagers with all dressed in historically accurate costumes. This is a free Christmas gift to the community by Southeast Baptist. CONTACT: 615-896-0940, www.sebaptist.org


DEC. 9
Murfreesboro Christmas Parade: The annual Murfreesboro Christmas Parade begins at 2:30 p.m. with the route starting on Middle Tennessee Boulevard and continuing down Historic East Main Street to the Square.

DEC. 10-14
SANTA IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: From Monday through Saturday 6 to 8 p.m. Santa is in the Neighborhood aboard the Santa Express ... watch for Santa and his elves taking a different route each night. Wave at the Jolly Old Elf as he passes by or give him your list at selected stops. Visit www.santaintheneighborhood.com for nightly locations or phone 907-9664. Sponsored by The Murfreesboro Post.


DEC. 15
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Murfreesboro. Join in the festive, annual Rotary Club pancake breakfast. 7 to 10 a.m. in the cafeteria at Middle Tennessee Christian School (on Memorial, across from Reeves-Sain Drugstore). Tickets are available from any Murfreesboro Rotary Club member or at the door.

DEC. 17
SYMPHONY COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra to perform Christmas Concert and Sing-Along featuring Tim King, tenor; conducted by Jeffrey A. Reed, special appearance by Santa! The concert is set for Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro Music Director Reed will present a pre-concert talk about the music to be performed off of the lobby of the church at 6:45. CONTACT: www.murfreesborosymphony.com/