Christmas in Brown County
You’ll find the spirit of Christmas in the hills of Brown County during the month of December. The leaves may be gone but their absence reveals the county’s beautiful glacier-carved ridges and hilltops. When the snow falls there is no prettier place.
Brown County’s beauty is reason enough to visit anytime, but the traditional holiday Christmas in Brown County is an event for the ages—and all ages, from kids to coots.
Imagine the village of Nashville decorated with white lights, sprigs of evergreen, strolling carolers in Victorian costumes—sing along, they won’t mind—and you’ll feel the season come alive for you and your family.
On weekends, horse-drawn carriages offer visitors free rides around village streets. Or you can ride with Frosty and the Elves on a Nashville Express train trip. (Weather permitting Nov. 28–30, Dec. 6–7, 13–14, 20–21)
On the weekend of Thanksgiving celebrate with our ancestors the holiday we hold so dear at the 1850s Christmas at the Pioneer Village Museum. The Brown County Pioneer Women will conduct tours of the historic buildings. Cookies and cider will be served.
The season kicks off on Friday Nov. 28, with the Holiday Open House featuring Santa Claus at the Brown County Visitors Center (noon–7 p.m.) and the Winter Art and Craft Fair at The Seasons Conference Center. (Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Music is an important part of Christmas in Brown County with many special holiday performances.
Nov. 29 features the annual Slats Klug and Friends Holiday Show and Dance at the Brown County Inn. Original and traditional Christmas songs plus some tunes from the new CD Brown County Lies and Lovesongs will be presented by some of Brown County’s finest home grown musicians. (8 p.m. doors open at 7:15 p.m.)
Over 80 Christmas and winter related songs are featured in Pine Box Theatre’s Old Fashioned Christmas. This is the 14th season The Good Time Girls and Guys have performed this popular holiday show, a favorite for all ages. The costumes are delightful, the Gals dance up a storm, and everyone has a good time. The audience also gets in the act singing Christmas carols. (Nov. 28 thru Dec. 20. Mon., Thurs., Fri., and Sat. at 8:00 p.m. and Sun. at 3:00 p.m.)
Winter Wonderland (The Christmas Show) at the Nashville Follies Musical Theatre features contemporary and traditional holiday favorites filled with fun, joy, and inspiration. (Nov. 29 thru Dec. 20. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 5 and 8:30 p.m.)
Get in the Spirit with Christmas Worship, Christmas Joy at the Joybell Theater. Kristine Stout will perform a special 60 minute holiday program daily from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19. Watch Kristine as she gracefully handles three octaves of English handbells (37 bells) ALL BY HERSELF! Reservations are required.
The Brown County Community Band will perform Home for the Holidays on Saturday, December 6th at the Brown County High School Auditorium. The concert is free and donations will be taken at the door to benefit the Brown County Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
On the 12th and 13th there’s a Madrigal Dinner planned at the Presbyterian Fellowship Church. For information call (812) 988-4194 or (800) 753-3255.
Santa intends to spend a lot of his time in Brown County this season starting with the Artists Colony Inn Porch each weekend afternoon throughout the season. On the 5th Santa arrives on the Santa Train at 8:30 at Helmsburg’s old train depot. Everyone always has a great time singing carols and playing with Rudolph and Frosty while waiting to see Santa.
Breakfast with Santa is on the menu for the 14th at the Brown County Inn. Eat a hearty country breakfast while the kids visit with St. Nick. There will be door prizes. (8:30–noon.)
There’s also the Barn Yard Petting Zoo at the Village Green Gazebo for young and old alike. Meet reindeer, elves, and our barn yard friends. (Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14)
Also Nov. 28 and 29 and Saturdays in December (weather permitting) enjoy the Holiday Hay Rides.
And don’t forget the Children’s Benefit Auction at The Ordinary at 6:30 on the 5th.
There’s Art to be found all month in the Brown County studios and Galleries.
Enjoy the Christmas Show at the Brown County Art Gallery and Museum located at East Main and Artists Drive in Nashville. Paintings make great gifts.
Waldron Gallery in downtown Nashville is featuring a holiday collection of small works during the season.
On Dec 6 and 7 turn right at Stone Head on SR 135 to visit the Spears Gallery Holiday Open House featuring Larry Spears pottery and area artisans works, including baskets, wood work and fine art. Refreshments will be served.
Fox Run Pottery is also having an open house on Dec. 6. Call 812-597-1839 for directions to their northern Brown County studio.
Enjoy the Snow on the Fig Christmas Art Show at the Figtree Galley and Coffeeshop in Helmsburg (Dec. 11-13). It’s the beautiful brick building by the railroad tracks. Their Christmas at the Figtree celebration will take place Dec. 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Avoid the hectic pace of mall shopping this Christmas and find your special gifts in Brown County where there are more than 300 art, craft, and specialty shops offering unique, one-of-a-kind gift and decorative items. Skip the cooking and dine in our restaurants and then stick around and enjoy a fine holiday show.
For more Christmas in Brown County Festival information or a complimentary brochure contact the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 812-988-7303, 800-753-3255, or visit their web site at <www.browncounty.com>.