Just in time for the holidays! Theater, music, arts, shopping and a special tour are among the magical winter wonderland events during this joyous season!

Marion Ross Performing Arts Center

ACT presents “Uh Oh Here Comes Christmas” performed Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 10-13. A Christmas comedy for the entire family to enjoy! The box office number is 377-4371 for information on tickets.

“Christmas in the City”

This is a special concert presented by the Kiwanis to benefit local food shelves will be held on Dec. 19 at 7:30 pm and Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.

Lighthouse Events Center

“Simple Gifts” featuring Billy McLaughlin and 2008 Holiday Concert with Carols, Celtic and Christmas music at the Lighthouse Event Center, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

“A Lighthouse Christmas”

Music by the Lighthouse Friends: Neil & Barb Lang, Jack Beighley, Merle Krause, Todd Utpadel, Stephanie Erdman, Jim Pilgrim, Dunnell Lenort, Doug Neste, Dan Beighley & Jonathan Beighley perform Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Live Nativity

The Annual Drive thru Nativity at Church of Christ will be held Dec. 5 and 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Freeborn County Historical Museum Christmas Gathering

“An Old Fashioned Christmas” December 7th from 1 pm – 4 pm with Christmas music entertainment by Todd Utpadal at 2 pm. Do you remember stringing popcorn and making paper chains for the Christmas Tree? Bring the family and enjoy this joyous time of the season!

Festival of Trees

Brighten the holidays by visiting the annual Festival of Trees at the Albert Lea Art Center held Nov. 28 to Dec. 31. Local businesses and organizations decorate and celebrate the holidays by decking halls, trees with wreaths and all the trimmings! Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres served 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.

Story Lady Doll & Toy Museum

Browse through the Museum and Gift Shop beginning at 12 noon. Refreshments served from 3-6pm with free admission to the museum.

Downtown Albert Lea

Take a Holiday Stroll downtown to the many unique downtown shops and antique stores. Lighted Christmas trees in the Freeborn Bank Building and Jacobson Building to peek in the windows!

Northbridge Mall

A Model Train Show on December 6th – 7th.

The Albert Lea Community Band presents a Christmas concert plus musical performances by Abundant Life on Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., NRHEG musical performance on Dec. 16 and the Careyaires 7-8 p.m. on Dec. 19 all held center court.

Instead of dragging the treadmill out of the spare bedroom or cleaning up your home office, make life easy this season and have your guests stay in one of our comfortable hotels.

The CVB has openings for board positions. If you are interested please send a letter to the CVB or e-mail Susie at cvbdirector@albertlea.org.

Visit our Web site at www.albertleatourism.org for information on area events.

Did you know?

ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” spends $150,000 to $175,000 per day when they are in a community. (Conrad Rickets, executive producer)

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” airs in 69 countries reaching over 2 billion viewers each week.

It will be aired Dec. 7.

Susie Petersen is the executive director of the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau.