In December, the Gillette area gets into the holiday spirit and is filled with fun for kids and adults alike.
Events range from those for those interested in the arts to music concerts and festival parades. Here are the dates and times for a variety of Christmas-themed fun in Campbell County:
Holiday Cirque Show at Camplex
December begins with a holiday-themed Cirque show by ZirKiss Productions on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Camplex Heritage Center Theater.
Prices for Cirque Dream Story range from $10 to $35, depending on seat selection. This magical show tells the story of Eva, a girl whose vacation dreams are stolen by the evil Ice Queen. See how sparkling dancers, aerialists, and acrobats portray Eva’s journey to protect the Christmas spirit. Tickets can be purchased at cam-plex.com.
47th New Life Wesleyan Ladies Craft Show
For its 47th year, the New Life Wesleyan women are back for a fun craft show. The show begins from 4 to 8 p.m. Held at the Camplex Wyoming Center on Friday, December 1st and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
There will be approximately 130 booths displaying handmade items. At the concession stand, you can also try holiday favorites like chili, potato cheese soup, and cinnamon rolls. Proceeds from the event benefit local organizations.
Jingle Bell Run rings out for the 12th year
Those who jog or walk can exercise for a good cause. December 2. The Kids Fun Run begins at 8:15 a.m. at the Field House at the Campbell County Recreation Center, with walkers following at 8:30 a.m. and runners starting at 9 a.m.
The 4.6-mile run is sponsored by the school district and benefits the Gillette Abuse Protection Foundation. Athletes are encouraged to wear their best tacky sweaters for a chance to win gift cards. A silent auction will be set up for viewing before and after the race, and door prizes will be awarded after the race. Pre-registration costs $12 for adults without a shirt and $18 for adults with a shirt. Child rates are $15 with shirt and $10 without shirt. Race day registration is $23 for adults and $18 for children. You can register at any school building.
Check out ABATE’s parade
The ABATE Toy Store Parade begins downtown on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Those participating in the parade should line up at Twin Spruce Middle School at 1:30 p.m.
Organizers plan to accept new toys at the toy store, which has provided Christmas toys to children in need for more than 35 years. Those interested can also donate to the Toy Store Fund located at Campco Credit Union, 1110 E. Boxelder Road. If you have any questions, please call Jessica at 307-660-6552, James at 307-670-5065, or Nancy at 307-660-9952.
After the parade, locals can visit Santa at the Masonic Lodge (407 S. Gillette Ave) from approximately 2:30 to 4 p.m. Hot chocolate, cider and cookies will be available.
Those interested in finding out if they are eligible for the ABATE Toy Store can visit the Community Services Council Food Pantry on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Employees ask guests to bring a photo ID and ID. Income for registration. If you have any questions, please call us at 307-686-2730. Sign-up ends on December 7th.
Parade of Lights running through downtown
At this year’s annual Parade of Lights, visitors will enjoy a “Gingerbread Christmas” theme. Gillette Main Street will host a parade on Dec. 2 starting at 5 p.m. on Gillette Avenue.
The route will move from 7th Avenue to 1st Avenue. Interested parties can also join in some hands-on Pottery fun beginning at 3:30 p.m. Guests will paint their Christmas tree plates during the Masterpiece On main class, which ends just before the Parade of Lights begins. Tickets are $16 and search for Hands On Pottery at placefull.com.
AVA class creates a wine bottle gnome
Wine and gnome lovers flock to the Wine Bottle Christmas Gnome Class taught by Eileen Daly at the AVA Community Arts Center. The class will be held at AVA on December 2nd from 3pm to 5pm.
Students must only bring their own wine bottle. All other items are provided at a cost. All ages are welcome, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $20 at avacenter.org.
Parade of Homes unveils decorations
The Parade of Homes, a fundraiser for the Powder River Symphony Orchestra, will be held Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. Participants will tour five different homes in Gillette: Dennis and Eva Campbell, Tony and Angi Crum, and Stuart and Carolyn. Matthews, William, Angie Morfeld and Rich, Summer Robertson.
Tickets must be presented at each household for both children and adults. All visitors are asked to remove their shoes at the entrance of the house. Home visits can be made at any time and in any order for up to 5 hours. A fundraising reception will be held at City Brew, 2711 S. Douglas Highway, on Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also purchase tickets during this time. Tickets cost $25 and are available in advance at City Brew and Ida Snead – State Farm Insurance (201 E. Third St.).
Christmas spirit shines at Gillette University
Christmas in College will be back at the Gillette College Tech Center on December 5th from 4:30pm to 6pm.
Guests can enjoy taking photos with Santa and taking home cookies, hot chocolate, and crafts. In previous years, photographers would take photos of children with Santa, but this year organizers are asking parents and guardians to take photos of themselves with cameras or cellphones.
Santa Claus will be visiting the town’s public library on Dec. 6 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Christmas celebrations will take place in the Wyoming Room and Children’s Department and will feature appearances by Santa, holiday story readings, and crafts to take home.
Sparkling Holiday Ornaments with AVA
Anyone age 16 or older can sign up for a class with Robert Sauerwein who will teach you how to carve basswood holiday ornaments. The class will be held at the AVA Community Art Center on Dec. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Students will learn wood carving techniques and safe methods when using carving tools. All teaching materials will be provided for the tuition fee. The cost is $35 for AVA members and $40 for non-members.
Local corporate partners for pottery classes
Hands on Pottery and Big Lost Meadery and Brewery are teaming up to offer a class at Big Lost on Dec. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Students will learn about the classic wassail drink while creating memories and painting their own tumblers. Food can be delivered through Ranch and Roost, and a variety of drinks can be purchased at Big Lost. The $24 cost includes one tumbler and the Big Lost stencil. At checkout, students can choose to add a snowflake, deer, or tree stencil. To purchase tickets to the family-friendly event, visit placefull.com/-big-lost-meadery—dec-7th.
Farmers markets go indoors for Christmas
The annual Christmas Farmers Market, hosted by the Gillette Saturday Farmers Market, will be open to visitors at the Camplex Central Pavilion on December 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This festive event will feature Santa himself, fun cookie decorating activities, and a variety of local businesses and their unique products and crafts. The market has everything from homemade jewelry to jam.
Watch the classic ballet “The Nutcracker”
The World Ballet Series returns with a performance of the classic “The Nutcracker” at Camplex Heritage Center Theater on December 10th at 2pm and 6pm.
Approximately 50 ballet dancers, wearing more than 150 handmade costumes and hand-painted sets, come together to perform to the haunting music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The story follows Clara and the Nutcracker’s adventure into the land of sweets on Christmas night.
Theater doors open one hour before showtime, and ticket prices range from $28 to $89, depending on seat. Find tickets online at cam-plex.com.
Community band holds autumn-themed concert
The Gillette Community Band will perform its Fall Semester Holiday Concert at Thunder Basin High School on December 10th at 3 p.m.
The band will perform several Christmas songs, spooky-themed Halloween songs, and songs celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Veterans Day. The band director is Estela Torres Guernsey.
Get crafty at Rockpile Family Day
Rockpile Museum employees will bring out glitter, glue and all sorts of crafty things at the museum’s annual Christmas Craft Family Day from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 16.
Registration will be open to the public on Monday and will be accepted until capacity is reached. Children ages 3 to 12 can participate with their parents to create a holiday project. The free event is limited to her 50 people and reservations are required. For more information, visit rockpilemuseum.com.
Buy a gift in the nick of time
The Nick of Time Trade Show returns at the perfect time for those looking for last-minute gifts. The trade show will be held at Cam-plex Energy Hall on December 15th from 4pm to 8pm and December 16th from 9am to 2pm.
Load your sleigh with handmade crafts and products from local businesses. Concessions provided by Home Fire Foods and Cowboy Concessions. Since it is a donation-based service, there is no need to worry about gift wrapping.
Wreath Day Across America
Civil Air Patrol cadets will lay flowers at the graves of local veterans at 11 a.m. Dec. 16 at Mount Pisgah Cemetery.
Organizers invite everyone to attend the free event honoring local veterans. Cadets will also deliver sponsored wreaths to living veterans. As of Monday, his 826 wreaths had been sponsored, about half of his goal of 1,500. To become a sponsor, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/17659/Overview/?popularId=0 or call Maj. Toni Brown at 307-660-8592.
ucross christmas celebration
The 11th Annual Ucross Community Christmas Celebration begins Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. at the Raymond Plank Center in Clearmont. The event ends around 6:30 p.m. and is free to those who register at bit.ly/UcrossChristmas2023.
The event will feature author Craig Johnson, who will perform a special reading of a new Christmas short story featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire. Also included are Christmas carols by the Buffalo High School Balladiers, crafts and refreshments for the kids, cannon firing by Joe Reed, fireworks by Bruce Burns and crew, and the annual Christmas tree lighting throughout Ucross parks. . Guests are asked to bring canned goods and non-perishable food for families in need, which will be donated to food pantries in Sheridan, Buffalo and Clearmont. Get your free tickets online or by calling 307-737-2291.
Christmas with a symphony
The Powder River Symphony will present a holiday concert, “Christmas with the Symphony,” at the Camplex Heritage Center Theater on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.
Musicians embody the Christmas spirit and invite locals to bring their families and friends to the free event. Admission is by donation.
Enjoy Christmas at the library
Craig Johnson will be at the public library on Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. to talk about his latest book, “Hell and Back,” and share his annual Christmas story.
Before Johnson’s event, locals can attend the library’s gift wrapping party from 1 to 5 p.m. Guests can bring in unwrapped presents from home and join the party to show off tape, bows, scissors, wrapping paper, holiday thongs, snacks, and gifts for pals. rapper.
Incorporate the sounds of the season
The Campbell County Public Library Atrium will be the venue for the “Sounds of the Season” recital from Dec. 18-22. On that day, local musicians will perform mini piano recitals in the atrium at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Discover winter recitals at Cam-plex
The Live2Dance Winter Recital features talented dancers and performers and will be held at the Camplex Heritage Center Theater on December 20th from 6:30pm. In this performance, dancers show off their skill and passion as they transport guests to the magic of winter. Ticket price at cam-plex.com is $12.