By the Sea Productions presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” based on the book by Barbara Robinson.
Directed by Jill Turnbow, a former Estero Bay News contributor, it’s the story of a small-town Christmas pageant that includes a family of misfit kids whose performances bring a funny and wonderful appreciation of the true meaning of the holiday.
The cast includes Gregory DeMartini, John Geever, Kate Kravets, Brandon MacDonald, Janice Peters, Zoe Saba, and Jude Walker.
”Christmas Pageant” is a staged reading and plays one weekend only, December 15-17, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at 545 Shasta Ave. Morro Bay. Reserve tickets at bytheseaproductions.org or call 805-776-3287.
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Experience the sounds of the season trumpet style on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College. The exuberant SLO County Trumpet Alliance comrades are excited to share a fun and festive concert with you. This holiday matinee will showcase a variety of Brassy Christmas hits, leading audiences of all ages in this jubilant winter celebration. Parking in Lot 2A is included with ticket purchase: tickets.cuesta.edu.
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Due to popular demand, and a recent large donation, the Morro Bay Friends of the Library are holding their first ever pop-up book sale at the Morro Bay Library, 625 Harbor St. on December 16th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
All proceeds benefit the library. The sale showcases a large selection of quality and large format books in all subjects, from art to zoology. There are many unusual titles and fascinating items. Additionally, there will be hundreds of quality DVDs, sorted by type. This includes drama, action and adventure, comedy, children and family films, and even a good selection of documentaries.
All music CDs will be available with hundreds of popular and classical titles to choose from. The sale is in the Program Room and takes place rain or shine! There may even be be a few surprises while you shop for holiday gifts.
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Grinch Photo Op – He’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch, but you know you want to meet him and soak in his grumpy cheer. The Morro Bay Peace Officers Association present a meet the Grinch photo event at the Morro Bay Veteran’s Hall on Surf St. from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16.
There will be free hot chocolate and cookies, and a snow machine for children. Bring your camera to get a memorable shot.
A $20 donation per family will be asked for before entering the facility. Proceeds collected go towards future events hosted by the Morro Bay Peace Officers Association.
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The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden (SLOBG) presents Nature Nights, an immersive outdoor holiday light, art, and music experience. Visit the gardens to enjoy this second annual event – newly reimagined! The December nightly schedule brings exciting new additions to Nature Nights, including: Popups from Crave Mini-donuts (Fridays and Saturdays) and Sichuan Kitchen SLO (12/15, 12/22, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31 only) and live music from Walk the Whale on December 15 and 16. Santa will visit the Garden on 12/23 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
SLOBG continues to feature amazing live local music with Bellissima Handbells on December 15 and 16, a special holiday performance by the fabulous SLO Jingle Belles on December 22 and 23, and a closing weekend with Hakeem on December 29 and 30.
Nature Nights also features enthralling lighting exhibitions and art throughout eight acres of the Garden. Local culinary treats, regional wine, and beer will also be available.
Nature Nights runs through December 31 at the SLO Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo. For more information, the public may visit www.slobg.org or call (805) 541-1400. Tickets are $27 for adults, $17 for youth, and children 5 and under are free. Readers can get 10% off tickets with the code “ESTERO.” Tickets can be purchased at my805tix.com.
Photo courtesy of E.Wand Photography
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Free upcoming December programs at the Morro Bay Library – 625 Harbor St, (805) 772-6394
• Hexbugs – Wednesday, December 20, 3 – 5 p.m.
Create mazes for these motorized bugs, race them and more! All ages welcome.
• Nintendo Switch – Wednesday, December 27, 3 – 5 p.m.
Master your gaming skills and make new friends with our Nintendo Switch! We will provide one Switch for up to 4 players at a time – feel free to bring your own too. Games include Mario Kart and Just Dance.
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Don’t miss the Jingle Jazz Holiday Part featuring the Big Riptide Band presented by the The Basin Street Regulars on December 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 780 Bello St. Pismo Beach. Indulge in a festive feast by Sonny and April Paz, the culinary maestros behind our Sunday sessions. The menu? A scrumptious spread featuring ham, turkey, scalloped potatoes, butternut squash casserole, Italian green beans, and rolls. All this, plus the joyous tunes of the Riptide Big Band, awaits you for just $25, which includes both the meal and entertainment. Silver members enjoy complimentary entry, and everyone gets a sparkling champagne toast with their ticket.
To secure your spot, RSVP to Shonda Croly at (805) 837 2419 or shamrockshonda59@gmail.com. 📆 RSVPs are a must for meal tickets! Reserve your spot online at My805tix.com and Eventbrite.com.
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Usher in the holidays with the 2nd annual Kingdom Come drag show, a night of drag king royalty at Bang the Drum Brewery on December 22, doors open at 6 p.m. Enjoy performances by a variety of male and genderqueer drag talent for a show that is sure to make your winter merry and gay! Co-hosted by Pandora Mystere and Jackson Havoc, music by DJ Cryptid, and food and drink from Bang the Drum Brewery, expect a cheerful night of queer celebration to herald in the end of the year.
This event is hosted in partnership with the GALA Pride and Diversity Center and the House of Mello-Havoc. Tickets are $20 and available at my805tix.com. 21+
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Book club fans rejoice. Cozy Winter Reading is Coming
Jan 1 – Feb 10 at San Luis Obipso County libraries. It’s all about warm blankets and big books to kick off the new year! Kids, teens, and adults are invited to track and rate their titles for fun and for bookish prizes. Look for Cozy Winter Reading at your favorite library in January.
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Cal Poly Arts presents Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas in Hawaii on December 19 from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center (PAC). Tickets are $34 – $56 and are available at
www.calpolyarts.org/20232024-events/jake.
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Don’t miss SLO Rep’s presentation of “A Christmas Story” through Dec. 23.
Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Goldblatt’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more. “A Christmas Story” is a Central Coast holiday tradition!
Check dates, times, and tickets at SLOrp.org.
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Join the Grover Beach Library and Exploration Discovery Center on Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a visit with Santa. We will give away children’s mini books about kindness to attendees while supplies last at 867 Ramona Ave., Grover Beach. (Note this is across the street from the library.) Bring your cameras and save the moment for years to come.
• Day-pass and membership rates apply.
• $15 – Adults
• $5 – Kids (2-12yrs)
• $10 – Seniors (65yrs+)
Half off one adult day pass admission available for active-duty military, first responders and nurses.
Send your event listing at least three weeks in advance to Editor@EsteroBayNews.com. Make sure to include the who, what, why, where and when of the event and contact information. Please, type out in paragraph form rather than attaching flyers.
