December 1 at 7:30 pm – Advent Vespers with Schola Cantorum United Lutheran Seminary
Music Gettysburg offers a candlelight service with music of hope and expectation from four centuries to begin the season of Advent. Schola Cantorum, under the direction of Dr. Steve Folkemer, will lead the service. Free admission and parking. www.musicgettysburg.org
December 4 at 4 pm – The Art of Travel Schmucker Art Gallery
Under the direction of Professor Yan Sun, student curators examine the theme of travel in both Eastern and Western works of art. Exploring topics such as artists’ trips, the imagined landscape, pilgrimages, tourism, and modes of travel, the exhibition features prints, paintings, carvings, photography and material culture. Gallery Talks by student curators will be held on December 4 at 4 pm and the exhibit will run through April 12, 2025. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm. Free admission. www.gettysburg.edu/art
December 6 from 5 – 7 pm – First Friday Art Exhibits Opening Adams County Arts Council
A busy month at the Arts Council! In the Reception Hall Carol Williams will display her art, Barbara DeUgarte will display in the Gallery, and Heather Sefcheck in the Studio. Gingerbread Celebration and Holiday Mart will be at the Arts Council from December 6 -8, as well. Stop by to meet the artists and enjoy their work! www.adamsarts.org
December 6 at 7 pm – Poetry First Friday Ragged Edge Coffee House
Performance Poet, Writer, Percussionist, Storyteller, and Picture Maker Linda Joy Burke will be the featured reader this month, traveling from Maryland. Open mic begins at 7, so grab some goodies downstairs and join the fun upstairs. Free admission. www.theraggededgecoffeehouse.com
December 6 at 7 pm and Dec. 7 at 3 pm – Gettysburg Choral Society United Lutheran Seminary
Under the direction of John McKay, the Choral Society presents “Sing We Noel”, A Christmas Choral Celebration with Guest Organist Peggy Haas Howell in their festive annual holiday concert. Ms. Howell has performed throughout Europe and the United States. Admission and parking are free. Donations accepted. www.gettysburgchoralsociety.org
December 6 at 8 pm – Sunderman Conservatory Choral Concert Christ Chapel
Sunderman Conservatory Choirs and Symphony Orchestra will join forces to present Mozart’s Mass in C Major (KV 317), as well as other choral works. Tickets are $5 at the door, free for children and those with a college ID. www.gettysburg.edu/sunderman
December 6 – 15 – A Christmas Carol Majestic Theater
Totem Pole Playhouse revives its perennial holiday production with eight performances of this classic show. Performances are Dec. 6 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 7 at 2 and 7:30 pm, Dec. 8 at 2 pm, Dec. 13 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 14 at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Dec. 15 at 2 pm. Tickets are $40, $36, and $34. www.gettysburgmajestic.org
December 6-12 – A Gettysburg Christmas Majestic Theater
Facing Christmas alone on her Gettysburg farm, Hope’s life takes a turn when her family pays an unwanted visit and the arrival of her brother’s friend, Nick. A stranger named Charlie helps Hope find the Joy of Christmas in this 2023 movie filmed in Gettysburg. Tickets are $9 and check the website for times. Some showings are already sold out. www.gettysburgmajestic.org
December 6 – 22 at 2 or 7 pm – Finding Nemo Jr. Gettysburg Community Theatre
This 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning song-writing team Kristen-Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez, will bring joy to all who see it. Finding Nemo, Jr. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. Check the website for tickets and exact times. Tickets are in the $20-25 range. www.gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org
December 13 at 7 pm – 28th Gettysburg Tuba Carol Fest Lincoln Square
Join your friends and neighbors as over 50 tuba, sousaphone, baritone horn, and euphonium players gather to perform Christmas carols in front of the grand Hotel Gettysburg on Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg. Come experience 30 minutes of the most beautiful holiday sounds one might ever hear. Directed by Ben Jones and admission is free. www.gettysburgbrassbandfestival.com
December 14 and 15 at 3 pm – Gettysburg Civic Chorus Holiday Concert GAMS
Under the direction of Bill Serfass, your friends and neighbors in the Civic Chorus present their annual holiday concert from the stage of the Gettysburg Area Middle School. Admission and parking are free. Come enjoy this energetic and fun holiday tradition! www.gettysburgcivicchorus.com
December 15 at 7 pm – Christmas Offering United Lutheran Seminary
Music Gettysburg presents their annual celebrationof the holiday season with a concert featuring favorite performers – The Gettysburg Children’s Choir, Wayne Hill, Susan Hochmiller, Teresa Bowers, Jonathan Noel, and Steve Marx, plus Christmas carol singing by all. The music this year will explore the gifts of the Virgin Mary. Admission and parking are free with a freewill offering taken at intermission. www.musicgettysburg.org
December 31 from 7 – 10 pm – New Year’s Eve Open House Christ Lutheran Church
Join friends and neighbors in this free family-friendly event as Christ Lutheran opens its doors to welcome the New Year! In the sanctuary enjoy live entertainment with Magician John Wolfe at 7 pm; NYE Jazz Trio featuring Bret Crawford (saxophone), Ben Kennedy (piano), and Lisa Cadigan (vocals) at 8 pm; and The Willys Trio at 9 pm; followed by a brief candlelight Worship Service at 10 pm. Downstairs there will be refreshments, face painting, coloring, games, and fellowship. www.christgettysburg.org
Gail Jones has enjoyed a twenty-five-year career as a music educator in Pennsylvania and Maryland public schools as well as teaching music education methods at Gettysburg College for over a decade. She has also served as a guest conductor, French horn player, and private music instructor.
Gail has a deep appreciation for live music performances of all genres and encourages Adams County residents to attend the many concerts offered in our community.