Winter break starts after school on Friday. With Hanukkah starting at sundown on Sunday and Christmas on Wednesday, there are lots of holiday events this weekend including Randazzo Dance Company’s Nutcracker who sponsored Arbor Annie’s picks this weekend. Plus, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opened Thursday night.

Arbor Annie’s Weekend Picks
This weekend’s events are heavily slanted to holiday events.
As mentioned above, it’s your last chance to see a Nutcracker ballet in 2019 with the Randazzo Dance Company’s performances at the Power Center. You can also check out Theatre Nova’s DJ Whittington’s Kook Kat: A Hip-Hop Panto.
Check out our Santa Sightings list for any kids who want to fit in a last minute visit to Santa – hopefully not to add something to their wish list. My daughter’s birthday is a couple of weeks after Christmas, so at least I can defer last minute requests to her birthday. This weekend Santa Clay, a black Santa will be at Ypsilanti Co-Op if you are looking for a black Santa.
Also, it’s a great time to make sure your child is signed up for a Winter Break Camp. There are lots of options especially for the first week of January. There are also a few options for both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
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Top Weekend Event Picks
Friday Picks
Saturday Picks
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Sunday Picks
Hanukah begins at sundown. Be sure to check our list of Hanukah events.

Movies
The big movie news this weekend is the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – the conclusion of the latest trilogy – and the conclusion of the trilogy of trilogies. We have tickets for Saturday afternoon and will have a review after that. If you want to see it, I suggest buying your tickets in right away. We bought our tickets a couple of weeks ago and seats were already limited.
Cats also opens this weekend. I loved the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber and loved seeing Cats on Broadway about 20 years ago. However, I am in the camp that did not like the trailer and styling of the cats.
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Family friendly films in the theater include:
- Frozen 2
- Jumanji: The Next Level (PG-13)
- Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
- Ford v. Ferrari (PG-13)
Other upcoming Family Friendly movies through next spring:
- March 6 – Onward
- March 27 – Mulan
- March 27 – The Queen’s Corgi
- April 3 – The New Mutants
- April 3 – Peter Rabbit 2
- April 17 – Trolls World Tour
- May 1 – Black Widow
- May 15 – Scoob
- May 22 – The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
- May 29 – Artemis Fowl
- June 5 – Wonder Woman 1984
- June 19 – Soul
- July 3 – Minions: The Rise of Gru
- July 10 – Ghostbusters: Afterlife
- July 24 – Jungle Cruise
- August 14 – The One and Only Ivan
- August 21 – Bill & Ted Face the Music
- September 4 – Monster Hunter
- October 2 – Venom 2
- October 9 – The Witches
- November 6 – Eternals
- November 13 – Clifford the Big Red Dog
- November 20 – Godzilla vs. Kong
- November 25 – Raya and the Last Dragon
- December 18 – Dune
- December 18 – West Side Story
- December 25 – The Croods 2
- December 25 – Tom and Jerry
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Upcoming Sponsored Events
Thank you to our advertisers for sponsoring these event listings:
Looking Forward to Next Week
With Winter Break and the holidays next week, Arbor Annie will share a Weekly Roundup article on Monday
Date/Time | Event | |
---|---|---|
💙🎟 | 12/23/2019
2:00pm-9:00pm |
Knockerball Open Play
at Knockerball Saline, Saline Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/23/2019
5:30pm-7:30pm |
Chanukah on Ice
at Ann Arbor Ice Cube, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙 | 12/24/2019
2:00pm |
Flashback Cinema: It's A Wonderful Life
at Quality 16, Ann Arbor MI |
💙 | 12/26/2019
1:00pm-2:30pm |
Winter Peekaboo Penguin Painting
at Painting with a Twist, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/26/2019
2:00pm-8:00pm |
Knockerball Open Play
at Knockerball Saline, Saline Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/26/2019
2:00pm-3:00pm |
New Year's Crafts
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/26/2019
2:00pm-3:00pm |
Zine Workshop
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/26/2019
3:00pm-5:30pm |
Family Plank & Canvas Workshop
at AR Workshop, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/27/2019
2:00pm-3:30pm |
Family Day - Mr Polar Bear
at Paint and Pour, Ypsilanti MI - Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/27/2019
2:00pm-3:00pm |
Unicorn Crowns!
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/28/2019
1:00pm-2:30pm |
Catching Snowflakes
at Painting with a Twist, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/28/2019
1:00pm-2:00pm |
Mushroom Fairy House
at Westgate Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/28/2019
5:00pm-9:00pm |
Parents' Night Out - Just Imagine![]() at Kidopolis, Ann Arbor Michigan Just Imagine - Best Date Night Ever. Kidopolis is holding a Parents' Night Out on December 28. There will be Crafts, Snacks, Playing, Dinner, and Dancing. The event will run from 5-9p, but is priced hourly, so you can adjust the length and timing based on your family's needs. Please...Read More |
💙🆓 | 12/28/2019
7:00pm |
Chanukah Night Lights
at Liberty Plaza, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/29/2019
1:00pm-3:00pm |
Thank You Card Party
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙 | 12/29/2019
2:00pm-4:00pm |
Mom/Dad & Me Fox & Blizzard Set Painting
at Painting with a Twist, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/29/2019
4:00pm |
Chanukah at Briarwood Mall!
at Briarwood Mall, Ann Arbor Michigan |

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All Weekend Events
Friday, December 20, 2019
Date/Time | Event | |
---|---|---|
🎟 | 12/20/2019
12:00pm-7:00pm |
Gingerbread Workshop
at Dexter Creamery, Dexter Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/20/2019
4:30pm-5:30pm |
Decorate A Nutcracker
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓🎟 | 12/20/2019
5:30pm-7:30pm |
Cookie Decorating Contest
at Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse, Ypsilanti Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/20/2019
6:00pm-8:00pm |
Festive Friday
at The Creature Conservancy, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/20/2019
6:00pm-10:00pm |
Knockerball Open Play
at Knockerball Saline, Saline Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/20/2019
7:00pm-10:00pm |
Polar Express Pajama Party
at Kensington Hotel, Ann Arbor Michigan |
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Date/Time | Event | |
---|---|---|
💙🆓 | 12/21/2019
10:00am-2:00pm |
Santa Visits Yankee Air Museum
at Yankee Air Museum, Belleville Michigan |
12/21/2019
10:30am |
CANCELED - The Little Scientists Club![]() at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor MI CANCELED - This has been canceled due to coronavirus quarantine The Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum offers The Little Scientists Club for toddlers and preschoolers. Each week has a different theme. The Little Scientists Club is held in the Green Room on the Lower Level. The Little Scientists Club is currently...Read More |
|
💙🎟 | 12/21/2019
11:00am-4:00pm |
Giant Pine Cone Decorating
at Turner’s Garden Center, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/21/2019
11:00am-2:00pm |
Santa Clay
at Ypsilanti Food Co-Op, Ypsilanti Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/21/2019
12:00pm-3:00pm |
Cookie Decorating and Wood Tray or Apron Workshop
at AR Workshop, Ann Arbor Michigan |
🎟 | 12/21/2019
12:00pm-7:00pm |
Gingerbread Workshop
at Dexter Creamery, Dexter Michigan |
💙 | 12/21/2019
12:00pm-2:00pm |
Santa is Coming to Salt Springs
at Salt Springs Brewery, Saline Michigan |
💙 | 12/21/2019
1:00pm-3:00pm |
Frosty Top Hat Painting
at Painting with a Twist, Ann Arbor Michigan |
12/21/2019
1:00pm-2:30pm |
Open Gym
at Champion Gymnastics, Ann Arbor Michigan |
|
💙🎟 | 12/21/2019
1:30pm-4:00pm |
Stenciled Holiday Plates
at Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/21/2019
2:00pm-4:00pm |
Randazzo Dance Company's The Nutcracker![]() at Power Center, Ann Arbor Michigan Celebrate the holiday season with this delightful rendition of the beloved holiday classic, with guest dancers from THE BOSTON BALLET and Michael Lee as Drosselmeyer. Randazzo Dance Company’s 51st annual The Nutcracker will run at the Power Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:00...Read More |
💙🆓 | 12/21/2019
2:00pm-3:00pm |
Star Wars Crafts
at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
🎟 | 12/21/2019
4:00pm-9:00pm |
Knockerball Open Play
at Knockerball Saline, Saline Michigan |
💙 | 12/21/2019
6:00pm-10:00pm |
Illuminate: An Experiential Festival of Lights
at Beth Israel Congregation, Ann Arbor MI |
💙🎟 | 12/21/2019
7:00pm-9:00pm |
Randazzo Dance Company's The Nutcracker![]() at Power Center, Ann Arbor Michigan Celebrate the holiday season with this delightful rendition of the beloved holiday classic, with guest dancers from THE BOSTON BALLET and Michael Lee as Drosselmeyer. Randazzo Dance Company’s 51st annual The Nutcracker will run at the Power Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:00...Read More |
💙 | 12/21/2019
7:30pm-9:30pm |
Family Mewvie Night
at Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center, Ann Arbor Michigan |
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Date/Time | Event | |
---|---|---|
12/22/2019
10:30am-4:00pm |
CANCELED - Open Play
at Kidopolis, Ann Arbor Michigan |
|
💙🎟 | 12/22/2019
12:00pm-4:00pm |
Family Bowl with Santa
at Maplewood Lanes, Saline Michigan |
🎟 | 12/22/2019
12:00pm-7:00pm |
Gingerbread Workshop
at Dexter Creamery, Dexter Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/22/2019
12:00pm-3:00pm |
Santa Visits
at Kerrytown Market & Shops, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/22/2019
12:30pm-1:30pm |
Winter Wonderland
at Gym America, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/22/2019
1:00pm-2:30pm |
DIY Felt Paw Print Ornaments
at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🆓 | 12/22/2019
1:30pm |
It's a Wonderful Life - Holiday Classic Film Series
at Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor MI |
💙🆓 | 12/22/2019
2:00pm-3:30pm |
Electronics Lab: Intro to Soldering
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙 | 12/22/2019
2:00pm |
Flashback Cinema: It's A Wonderful Life
at Quality 16, Ann Arbor MI |
💙🆓 | 12/22/2019
2:00pm-3:00pm |
Penguin Awareness Day Craft
at Westgate Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
💙🎟 | 12/22/2019
2:00pm-4:00pm |
Randazzo Dance Company's The Nutcracker![]() at Power Center, Ann Arbor Michigan Celebrate the holiday season with this delightful rendition of the beloved holiday classic, with guest dancers from THE BOSTON BALLET and Michael Lee as Drosselmeyer. Randazzo Dance Company’s 51st annual The Nutcracker will run at the Power Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:00...Read More |
💙 | 12/22/2019
2:00pm-4:00pm |
Winter Symmetry Painting
at Paint and Pour, Ypsilanti MI - Michigan |
💙 | 12/22/2019
7:00pm |
Flashback Cinema: It's A Wonderful Life
at Quality 16, Ann Arbor MI |