Geek out for Comic Con, and more this week in Abilene
The first Abilene Comic Con will celebrate superheroes, sci-fi, anime and more for two days at the Abilene Convention Center, starting at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Events include celebrity panels, vendors and a cosplay contest, with special guests including Karan Ashley, Kaiji Tang and Kenn Scott.
Tickets are $20 Saturday and $15 Sunday, or $30 for both days. For information, go to abilenecomiccon.com.
'Christmas in the Garden'
The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council will present "Christmas in the Garden" in sessions starting at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday at Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St.
Train rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment and Santa Claus will be available, with a reading of "An Otis Christmas" by Mrs. Claus.
Registration is $10 per family, and is available at abilenecac.org.
Christmas Lane
The annual Christmas Lane, featuring more than 120 outdoor displays, will open Friday at Abilene State Supported Living Center, 2501 Maple St., continuing through Dec. 26.
Hours will be 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from 6-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Admission is free.
'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol'
Abilene Community Theatre will present a production of "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Thursday through Dec. 11, in the Black Box Theatre, 809 Barrow St.
For tickets or information, go to abilenecommunitytheatre.org.
Reindeer Run
The Junior League of Abilene's annual Reindeer Run 5K will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St.
Registration is $35 for adults and $25 for children age 12 and under. For information, go to jrleagueabilene.com.
Music from the movies
The Abilene Philharmonic will present "Christmas Movie Magic" at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. The earlier matinee showing will be shorter with no intermission.
For tickets or information, go to abilenephilharmonic.org.
'Home Alone'
As part of the Paramount Film Series, a showing of "Home Alone," rated PG, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children. For tickets, go to paramountabilene.com.
ZZ Top in concert
A concert featuring ZZ Top will begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Taylor County Expo Center Coliseum, 1700 Highway 36.
Tickets start at $39.50. For tickets or information, go to taylorcountyexpocenter.com.
Bert Kreischer comedy tour
As part of "Berty Boy Relapse" tour, comedian Bert Kreischer will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Taylor County Coliseum, 1700 Highway 36.
Tickets start at $37.75. For tickets or information, go to taylorcountyexpocenter.com.
'White Christmas'
As part of the Paramount Film Series, a showing of "White Christmas" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children. For tickets, go to paramountabilene.com.
And more ...
► A showing of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St, followed by a crafting activity.
► The Christian Women's Job Corps will conduct a Christmas market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Alliance for Women & Children, 1350 N. 10th St.
► The Silver Spur Gun & Blade Show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Taylor County Expo Center. Admission is $6 for adults.
► A gem and mineral show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Courtyard by Marriott, 2141 Scottish Road. Admission is free.
► CISCO — The "Holiday at the Hilton Extravaganza" will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Cisco, with vendors and local businesses open for Christmas shopping. A block party celebrating the release of "Under the Sun" and "Nothing Knew" by Sean King will begin at 11 a.m. at Waverly's Coffee & Gifts, featuring a magician, live music and book signings.
► Children's book authors Stephanie Ellison, Cindy Mims, Jami Moss and Sue Harris will sign copies of their books from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday at Texas Star Trading Co., 174 Cypress St. For information, call 325-672-9696.
► A free showing of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mockingbird Lane branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane.
► HAWLEY — "Christmas on the Farm" will be open from 4-9 p.m. Saturday at May Farm, 7933 U.S. Highway 277. A petting zoo, vendors, hay rides and visits with Santa will be available.
► MERKEL — A Christmas parade through downtown Merkel will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Visits with Santa, cookies and "Santa's Secret Forest" will be available following the parade.
► A benefit concert featuring Freeride Band and Ariel Hutchins will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at Heff's Burgers at the Mall of Abilene. Admission is $10, benefiting New Horizons. Toy donations will also be accepted.
► The Abilene Christian University Department of Music will present Christmas vespers, "What Sweeter Music," at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St.
► A showing of a classic Christmas special and related craft activity will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Mockingbird Lane branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane. Materials will be provided.
► John Thompson will sign copies of his new memoir, "Memories of a Texas Oilman," from 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday at Texas Star Trading Co., 174 Cypress St. For information, call 325-672-9696.
► ArtWalk, a free monthly program of Center for Contemporary Arts, will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday in downtown Abilene. A free holiday project will be available at The Grace Museum, with visits with Santa starting at 6 p.m. For information, go to center-arts.com.
► The Big County Master Gardeners will present a composting workshop at 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Participants are encouraged to bring a pen and paper.
► Abilene Christian University Theatre will present a livestreamed debut of "Dances of Courage" at noon Dec. 10. Tickets are $25. For tickets or information, go to acu.edu/theatre.
► Mistletoe Market, featuring local vendors and businesses, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at Comfort Inn, 6350 Director's Parkway. Admission is free.
► The Abilene Society of Model Railroaders will conduct its annual open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11 and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 12 at 598 Westwood Drive. Admission is free.
► BUFFALO GAP — The Chautauqua Learning Series will continue with a presentation by Lou David Allen, "Tools and Weapons of Paleolithic & Later American Peoples," at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Taylor County History Center, 133 N. William St. Admission is free.
► Tours of Swenson House, in Christmas décor, will be presented from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 at 1726 Swenson St. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children age 12 and younger.
► The annual "Fa La La in the Forest" celebration will be 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11 at Abilene State Park, with the public invited to drive through to tour decorated campsites. Entrance fees will be waived, but donations will be accepted.
► Chorus Abilene will present its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Wylie Performing Arts Center, 4502 Antilley Road. Tickets are $10, and are available at chorusabilene.org.
► VIEW — A chili fundraiser will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the View Volunteer Fire Department.
► OLD GLORY — A country music dance will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Old Glory Community Center. A live band will perform, and a potluck meal will be served. For information, call 940-989-2816.
► Abilene Community Band will present its annual Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. Admission is free.
► Performers of all skill levels are invited to a special holiday open mic night starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the south branch of the Abilene Public Library, in the Mall of Abilene. Space is limited. To register, go to abilenetx.gov/apl.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Geek out for Comic Con, and more this week in Abilene
