What’s Happening in the Parks
The week ahead
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The following events and programs are happening the week ahead:
Reminder:
Santa’s Workshop
Wednesday, November 22, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center, 233 West Main Street
Start your downtown celebration at the Community Center with free holiday activities for kids, such as crafts, milk and cookies and holiday shopping. Kids can shop for inexpensive holiday gifts for $7 of less at the North Pole Stop-n-Shop while Mom and Dad shop for hand-crafted items at Candy Cane Lane. Donate a new or gently-used stuffed bear to enter a drawing to win a giant elf bear. The outdoor lighting ceremony will be held at 6:05p.m.
$1 Night Light Display
Wednesday, November 22, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day
Thursdays & Fridays, November 24-December 22, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
The gardens in light are best seen at night! Find yourself surrounded by festive greenery, stunning poinsettias and enchanted scenery as part of illuminated photo ops at the Botanical Conservatory. Cross gift buying off your list after stopping into the Conservatory Shop where there is a unique selection of thoughtful gifts. Kick-off your holidays with a stroll through gardens glistening and glowing on the $1 Night before Thanksgiving. Then come again to the $1 Night Light Display every Thursday and Friday evening from Black Friday leading up to Christmas. Civic Center Garage parking is validated for free.
$1 Night Light Displays In November:
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Wednesday, Nov. 22 |
5:00-8:00 p.m. |
In Conjunction with Downtown Fort Wayne Night of Lights, Conjure Coffee will be open. |
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Friday, Nov. 24 |
5:00-8:00 p.m. |
In the spirit of the season, the Botanical Conservatory welcomes Tom Didier and Todd Frymier who are in the holiday mood and singin’ with style! Find Those 2 Guys in Suits & Ties inside the “Timeless Tradition” holiday exhibit from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Standing room only. |
Holly Shopping at the Conservatory
Saturday, November 25, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
On this Day of Holly Shopping, locally owned and operated shops celebrate small businesses throughout downtown Fort Wayne, the West Main Shops and Wells Street Corridor. This includes the Conservatory Shop in partnership with Downtown Fort Wayne! Meet your holiday shopping needs in the Botanical Conservatory’s own “Artisan Village” consisting of local artisans, crafters and unique vendors. In addition, Cozmé Jewelry is hosting a pop-up shopping experience. Conservatory admission is not required to shop.
Holly Trolley Stop at Promenade Park
Saturday, November 25, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Park Foundation Pavilion, 202 West Superior Street
The Park Foundation Pavilion will open as a trolley stop location during the first day of the Downtown Improvement District’s Holly Shopping with no admission fee. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and meet two special winter princesses before heading back out on your day of shopping.
Featuring:
Christmas on the Farm
Saturday, December 2, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road
Tis the season for Christmas cheer, handmade gifts and goodies. Christmas on the Farm offers horse drawn wagon rides provided by DeKalb Co. Horsemen, photos with Santa Claus, a crafting activity for kids, letter-writing to Santa, vendors in the Wolf Learning Center for holiday shopping, live holiday music by Mike Conley in the Old Barn, food available for purchase in the Old barn provided by the Lions Club. Admission is $5 per car.
Santa & Reindeer Saturdays
Saturday, December 2, 9,16 & 23, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
This December, Santa himself returns to the Botanical Conservatory on all four Saturdays leading up to Christmas! Strike a pose with the man in red while enjoying indoor scenery accompanied by the “Timeless Tradition” holiday exhibit. Please note: Santa takes a break from 2:00-2:30 p.m. While visiting, you also won’t want to miss out on an outdoor appearance with a friendly and majestic reindeer. Regular admission fees apply. Sponsored by: Air-Xray, PBS Fort Wayne and Majic 95.1.
Summit City Music Theatre presents: A Christmas Carol
November 30–December 10
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 2:00 p.m. (12/9 only), 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, 2:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Salomon Farm Park, 817 West Dupont Road
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol captivates, entertains and changes hearts. This holiday season, Gavin Thomas Drew and Chapman Shields return their immersive adaptation of this classic tale to the Old Barn at Salomon Farm Park along with a cast of talented local artists and musicians. This show is rated G and is family-friendly. Tickets are $25 per person and seating is general admission. The historic venue is not a temperature-controlled building. There will be a heater blowing warm air into the Old Barn but it cannot maintain a warm temperature during the cold winter months, so guests are encouraged to bring blankets to stay cozy and warm. Heated restrooms will be available right next to the Old Barn and restroom facilities on the north side of the Wolf Family Learning Center will be available for use. Purchase tickets online at www.fortwayneparks.org or by phone at 260-427-6000.
Wassail Reunion at Jennings Center
Sunday, December 3, 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Jennings Youth Center, 1330 McCulloch Street
Wassailing is an ancient custom that involves toasting to good health. Kick off the holiday season with performances reminiscent of Wassail’s past and refreshments such as cookies and a traditional nonalcoholic Wassail punch. This year the Jennings Recreation Center is celebrating 75 years of serving the community. The celebration is free and open to the public.
Also happening:
Holiday Showcase Exhibit: Timeless Tradition, 40 Years
Until January 7, 2024, public hours
Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Holidays at the Botanical Conservatory have delighted the community as a family favorite over the last 40 years. Its gardens in light and scenes of merriment contribute to a warm holiday spirit in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. Fresh cut evergreens, a lush poinsettia tree and deep ruby undertones are the backdrop to this year’s memories. Join us in celebrating an oasis of growth and tradition. Sponsored by the English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Waterfield Foundation, Wilson Foundation, M.E. Raker Foundation, Air Xray, PBS Fort Wayne and Majic 95.1.
Headwaters Park Ice Rink
Tuesday-Friday, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Headwaters Park, 333 South Clinton Street
Enjoy skating outside in downtown Fort Wayne. Admission is $6 for age 3 and above and free for age 2 and under. Skate rental is $3. Ice conditions are subject to weather. Stay up to date on special holiday hours and parking on the @HeadwatersParkFW Facebook page and FortWayneParks.org.
Art Display features Julia Meek: Fort Wayne Traditions
November 28–January 5
Artist Reception: December 10, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 South Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne native Julia is a radio host, graphic artist and legendary community volunteer who has contributed to Northeast Indiana Public Radio both on- and off-air for forty years. Besides being WBOI's arts & culture reporter, she currently co-produces and hosts “Folktales” and “Meet the Music.” She also hosts live concerts and festival stages in northeast Indiana and coordinates special programs with Gregg Coyle, Director of Clyde Theatre. Known for her accessible arts and cultural offerings, Julia's list of achievements includes Easter Seals ARC's 26-year Portraits of Pride series and two decades of Cityscapes and Schooldays renderings, countless private commissions, multiple Mastodons on Parade, Canal Society of Indiana co-founder, Three Rivers Festival Millennial Artist and Fort Wayne's 1st Female Muralist designation as well as various works of public art including a recent mural in the Landing neighborhood.
