A weekend of holiday-themed Wausau events: For the week of Dec. 8, 2022

By Kayla Zastrow

An Evening With George Winston

SUNDAY 12/11 | CAMPANILE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, MINOCQUA

TUESDAY 12/13 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU

Iconic pianist George Winston has inspired his fans and other musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs for more than 40 years, while selling 15 million albums. A tireless road warrior playing nearly 100 concerts annually, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. His music is evocative, offering us all a chance to step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander. Sunday: 8 pm. $43. Details at campanilecenter.org; Tuesday: 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $45. Details at grandtheater.org.

Silver Bells & Diamonds

THURSDAY 12/15 | CAMPANILE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, MINOCQUA

silver bells and diamonds

Silver Bells & Diamonds combines the best of The Diamonds with sparkling holiday favorites that everyone will enjoy. The show opens with a Jingle Bells medley followed by the hit songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Then, in the second half of the show, The Diamonds use their signature harmony-filled vocals and alway-entertaining stage presence to get the audience into the Christmas spirit with a fast-paced ride through many of the great holiday favorites. 7 pm. $30 adults, $15 students. Details at campanilecenter.org.

A Christmas Carol

FRI.-SUN. 12/9-11 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU

The Wausau Community Theatre tradition is back for its 15th year! If you haven’t seen this annual production before, be prepared to be impressed and emotionally moved. The group brings Charles Dickens’ classic story of holiday spirit and redemption to the stage and it’s become a beloved tradition for many who come back year after year to see it and even some of the actors return annually. In the performance, the stage becomes a cozy, wintery scene set in the late 1800s, and the hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. It’s an inspiring story of transformation as Scrooge discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Starts at 7:30 pm on Fri. & Sat. and 2 pm on Sun. $22 adults, $18 seniors, $14 youth. Details at wausaucommunitytheatre.org.

For Kids from 1-92: The Spirit of Christmas Music, Past & Present

WEDNESDAY 12/14 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU

In this family-friendly show led by legacy talent Steve March-Tormé and Michael Bailey from Vic Ferrari, you’ll hear holiday classics but with their own unique arrangements, including Steve’s wonderful version of the multi-platinum selling “The Christmas Song,” written by his father, the legendary Mel Tormé. With tunes ranging from rock to pop to jazz, the show is at times raucous and at times gentle. Charitable fundraising will go to “Blessings in a Backpack” for local Wausau Students who desire basic needs. Starts at 7 pm. Tickets start at $25. Grandtheater.org.

Holidays at the Houses: Collections and Their Stories

SATURDAY 12/10 |WOODSON HISTORY CENTER, WAUSAU. 

The Woodson History Center and Yawkey House Museum have been decorated for the holidays and visitors are welcome to tour the houses to experience the magic of the holiday season. This year, the Marathon County Historical Society features holiday collections and their stories. You’ll see trains, a Christmas village, ornaments, an ethnic/cultural display, vintage holiday items from the historical society’s own collection. Alice Richardson Yawkey’s glass baskets and Imari china, and more. It’s an entire day of fun with live entertainment, children’s activities, model railroad open house, refreshments and the Sweet Landmarks Gingerbread Contest. There will also be live music from the CenterStage Show Choir, Wausau High Schools combined orchestra, Wausau Conservatory of Music string duet, local dance and theater groups among others. Starts at 10:30 am with the last tour at 4 pm. Tickets for tour $5. Details at marathoncountyhistory.org. 

Luminary Garden Walk

THURSDAY 12/8 | MONK BOTANICAL GARDEN, WAUSAU

Bring your family and friends (leashed dogs, too!) for a luminary-lit walk through the beautiful Monk botanical Gardens. The trails will be cleared for easy walking, or you can bring snowshoes! The walk ends at the Kitchen Garden, where you can enjoy a bonfire and hot chocolate. Bring your own marshmallows and sticks to roast over the fire! Starts at 5:30 pm. $5 per person and free for members. Cash only. Details at monkgardens.org.