Looking for holiday cheer? Celebrate with these Topeka traditions, concerts and more

From a dancing violinist to breakfast with Santa, Topekans are sure to be impressed with this year’s holiday happenings through December.

Here’s the lowdown on what is going on.

Dancing with Joy

Those who want to see Lindsey Stirling’s Snow Waltz Tour had better act quickly, as the dancing violinist will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Topeka Performing Arts Center. Judging by her more than 13 million YouTube subscribers, she will be a sight to see.

“Whether you're a child or a grandparent or a teenager, there's just so many fun things,” Stirling said. “But it's not just about the music, it's about the visuals, of the costumes and the dancing, and we even do aerial acrobatics now.”

One highlight of the upcoming performance is “Joy to the World,” one of her favorite pieces.

Stirling, who began taking 15-minute weekly violin lessons as a child, added dance moves as an adult to give herself a leg up in the onstage presence department.

Qualifying to appear in 2010 on “America's Got Talent,” Stirling was cut after making it to the quarterfinals.

“Hearing that feedback really hurt my little artist heart, but I didn't give up,” she said. “I decided I was going to keep trying. I was going to believe in myself. And, you know, I'm very grateful I did.”

Since then, Stirling’s father suffered, and subsequently died, from cancer. She was able to pay her mother’s bills, but she knew many others could not. So, Stirling created Upside Fund, which networks with other organizations to help people in need pay their medical bills. Stirling uses her music to bring awareness to the cause.

The budding philanthropist is excited about her holiday concert.

“It's a very engaging show,” Stirling said. “I really don't think there's a chance to get bored. You'll be entertained the whole time.”

Zoo Lights gets two thumbs up

The Topeka Zoo is still lighting up the faces of its younger visitors this year. Zoo Lights attracts people of all ages, but children seem to love it the most.

Xavier Rodriguez, 11, has been to the zoo three times.

“It's good exercise, and it's just a lot of cool lights,” Xavier said. “I get to spend time with family. I really like where Santa is and stuff like that. It's just a fun time.”

Seven-year-old Piper Weir and her 6-year-old brother Aidan Weir, who were both first-time visitors, posed for a photo in front of a sign that read “I love you.”

“I thought it was going to be fun to look at the picture and see that it was kind of like what we were thinking,” said Piper. “So, when you're at home, you can look back and see how much fun that was.”

Aiden enthusiastically agreed.

“It's so fun!” he said. “Even there’s a candy cane over there!”

Lenny Isley, 4, and his 3-year-old cousin, Gigi Miller, both gave thumbs-up.

“I like the peacock,” Lenny said of lights that pictured that animal. “My mom took a picture.”

Gigi, who was partial to a light display that pictured penguins, loved everything.

“They all so pretty,” she said.

Kready Family brings the holidays home

Jeff Kready will be bringing his family home for the holidays again this year. This is the second year the Topeka native, his wife Nikki Renée Daniels, and their daughters Lena Kready, 10, and Louise Kready, 6, will share their holiday spirit with audiences at TPAC with the Kready Holiday Spectacular 2023.

They will appear at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23.

“We almost sold out TPAC last year,” Kready said. “They wanted us to do it again, and they want us to do two concerts this year.”

Like their Broadway star parents, Lena and Louise live a life immersed in music. The girls attend a magnet school that emphasizes music.

“They're surrounded by music day in and day out, at school, at home, and so they're excited to get to put some of their hard work to use on stage,” Kready said.

In addition to showing Topeka his family’s talents, Kready is giving back to his hometown by including local talent.

“I remember how much those kinds of experiences meant to me when I was a student and how it affected me,” he said. "It's only fair that I should pass that on to the next generation as best I can.”

Here is a rundown of Topeka’s holiday happenings

Now through Dec. 3

Festival of Trees, Fairlawn Plaza, 2114 S.W. Chelsea Drive. For more information go to the event’s website.

Now through Dec. 22

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Topeka Civic Theatre, 3028 S.W. 8th Ave. More information and tickets are available by visiting the theater’s website.

Now through Dec. 30

Zoo Lights, 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 6-9 p.m. on Christmas, Topeka Zoo, 635 S.W. Gage Blvd. Cost is $9 for children 12 and under, $9 for seniors and $12 for adults. For more information, visit the zoo’s website.

Winter Wonderland by TARC, 6-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 6-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday (closed Dec. 4 and 11), Lake Shawnee Campground, 3435 S.E. East Edge Road. Suggested donations are $10 per vehicle, $20 per bus.

Dec. 1

Lindsey Stirling — Snow Waltz Tour, 8 p.m., TPAC, 214 S.E. 8th Ave. Tickets are available at TPAC and Ticketmaster.

Christmas Movies — “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” The Woodshed, 6:30 p.m., 1901 N. Kansas Ave. Cost is $2.

Dec. 2

Miracle on Kansas Avenue, Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting, 5:30 – 6 p.m., Evergy Plaza, 630 S. Kansas Ave. Parade to follow. Free event.

The Topeka Symphony's "Most Wonderful Time," 7:30 p.m., White Concert Hall, 1700 S.W. Jewell Ave. at Washburn University. The symphony presents its traditional holiday concert where attendees not only get to sit back and listen to all the seasonal favorites, but also join in the annual carol sing-a-long.

Dec. 6

VoxAura: Wolcum Yule, Washburn University’s VoxAura vocal choir performs, Grace Cathedral, 701 S.W. 8th Ave. Free Event.

Dec. 8-10

Christmas Light Show, 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m., Topeka Bible Church, 1101 S.W. Mulvane St. Free event that features dazzling light displays synchronized to live performances of Christmas music by artists you can see through the windows of the building. A huge LED screen lets you get “up close” to the live performances as you enjoy the show from the comfort of your car. Music is played over your car’s stereo. Organizers recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your desired show time. Volunteers will usher you into the lot and provide free glow sticks for everyone.

Dec. 8-17

“’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” four showings at 7 p.m., two at 2 p.m. Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy, 3028 S.W. 8th Ave. See website for more information and tickets.

Ballet Midwest: "The Nutcracker," varied showtimes, TPAC, 214 S.E. 8th Ave. For tickets and more information visit Event Tickets Center.

Dec. 9

Breakfast with Santa, 9-10 a.m., West Ridge Mall, 1801 S.W. Wanamaker Road. Tickets are available online.

Royal Holiday Traditions with the Snow Sisters and princess friends, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., ROGUE Event Studio, 917 N. Kansas Ave., tickets, $40 and $65, are available online.

Dec. 10

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, 7-11 p.m., Stormont Vail Events Center, 1 Expocentre Drive. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

Dec. 13

Peace: A Multicultural Holiday Evening, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 600 S.W. Topeka Blvd. Celebration will include music, dance and stories of the many cultural traditions of Topekans. Already lined up to perform are Fil Am Dance group; dancing the Tinikling and Bamboo Clippers Dance, which is a dance done in the Filipino community; Omar Hazim from the Islamic Center; VictoryUS will celebrate in song; V. Heiland will share about Diwali, the Festival of Lights; Ultra Motion Dance Studios will present a Kwanzaa mini show; and Standing Bear Intertribal Brotherhood will beat drums.

Dec. 15

Jingle Bell Jam, 6-8 p.m., Bonkers, 5515 S.W. 21st. Tickets are $25. More information is available online.

A Very Merry Kyle Moreland Christmas Concert, 7:30 p.m., Serendipity, 820 N. Kansas Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 18. For more information, go to 785design.com.

Dec. 16

Old Prairie Town Christmas, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ward-Meade Historic Site and Botanical Garden, 124 N.W. Fillmore St., cost $5. See website for more information.

Dec. 18

Ad Astra Per Aspera: Journey (A Holiday Concert) sung by the Topeka Festival Singers.

Dec. 23

Kready Holiday Spectacular, 1:30 and 7 p.m., TPAC, 214 S.E. 8th Ave. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: These Topeka holiday events offer music, lights and Christmas cheer