Connect2Culture’s list of December events and performances

December Performances

December 5–8:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

• Time: 7:00 PM (Sunday, 2:30 PM)
• Location: Stained Glass Theatre Joplin, 2101 Annie Baxter Ave.
• Tickets: Adults $12, Children (4–14) $5, 3 & under free.
• Details: A hilarious Christmas classic about a church pageant cast with the “most inventively awful kids in history.”
• Info: Amanda Klein, sgtjoplin@gmail.com.

December 5–8:

The Sound of Music

• Time: 7:00 PM (Sunday, 2:00 PM)
• Location: Ozark Christian College Chapel, 1111 N Main St.
• Tickets: Adults $15, Children (12 & under) $6.
• Details: The heartwarming tale of Maria and the von Trapp family set against WWII Austria.
• Info: Destiny Smith, smith.destiny@occ.edu, (417) 680-5608.

December 7:

An Evening in Kringle City

• Time: 7:00 PM (Doors 6:30 PM)
• Location: Harry M. Cornell Arts Complex, 212 W 7th St.
• Tickets: Adults $22.10–$27.30, Kids $11.70–$14.30.
• Details: A magical evening in Santa’s Kringle City featuring music, laughter, and holiday cheer.
• Info: Lauren Smith, lauren@connect2culture.org, (417) 621-9824.

December 8:

MSSU Choral Society Winter Concert

• Time: 3:00 PM
• Location: First Community Church, 2007 E 15th St.
• Tickets: Free and open to the public.
• Details: Celebrate the season through festive choral music.
• Info: Wally Bloss, wbloss@gmail.com, (417) 385-3996.

December 12:

A Jazzy Little Christmas with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

• Time: 7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM)
• Location: Neosho High School Performing Arts Center, 511 S Neosho Blvd.
• Tickets: Adults $25, Children (10 & under) $10.
• Details: Enjoy jazzy holiday classics while supporting Neosho Habitat for Humanity.
• Info: Pris Jeffers Reed, prisjeffersreed.habitat@gmail.com, (417) 451-7992.

December 12–15:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

• Time: 7:00 PM (Sunday, 2:30 PM)
• Location: Stained Glass Theatre Joplin, 2101 Annie Baxter Ave.
• Tickets: Adults $12, Children (4–14) $5, 3 & under free.
• Details: (See December 5–8 entry).

December 14:

Christmas with Guy Penrod

• Time: 7:00 PM (Doors 6:30 PM)
• Location: Harry M. Cornell Arts Complex, 212 W 7th St.
• Tickets: $53.30–$58.50.
• Details: Grammy-winning artist Guy Penrod performs faith-filled, country-style Christmas classics.
• Info: Lauren Smith, lauren@connect2culture.org, (417) 621-9824

December 5:

Holiday Open House

• Time: 5:00–8:00pm
• Location: Local Color Art Gallery & Studio (1027 S Main St)
• Details: Celebrate the season with award-winning artists, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and unique art pieces.
• Cost: Free
• Contact: localcolorartgallery@gmail.com | (417) 553-0835

December 5:

Connect2Culture’s Open Mic Night: Winter Wonders

• Time: 5:30–7:30pm
• Location: Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (212 W 7th St)
• Details: Showcase your talent or enjoy live performances. Sign-ups start at 5:30pm; event starts at 6:00pm.
• Cost: Minimum $5 donation
• Contact: lauren@connect2culture.org | (417) 621-9824

December 6:

Adult Holiday Crafts (Ages 14+)

• Time: 6:00–8:00pm
• Location: Wildcat Glades Education Cottage (301 Riviera Dr)
• Details: Choose from various crafts at this come-and-go event. Registration required.
• Cost: Free
• Contact: colvin@wildcatglades.org | (417) 708-7713

December 7:

Christkindle Holiday Market

• Time: 9:00am–Noon
• Location: Webb City Farmers Market (106 E Tracy St)
• Details: Seasonal food, handcrafted goods, and festive cheer.
• Cost: Free
• Contact: webbcityfm@gmail.com | (417) 438-5833

December 7:

7th Annual Holiday Market

• Time: 10:00am–2:00pm
• Location: Joplin Empire Market (931 E 4th St)
• Details: Artisan vendors, gourmet foods, gift wrapping, and holiday tunes.
• Cost: Free
• Contact: ivy@downtownjoplin.com | (928) 514-7713

December 7:

A Winter Welcome

• Time: 10:00am–9:00pm
• Location: Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (212 W 7th St)
• Details: Artisan shopping, ornament making, performances, and unveiling of a new outdoor stage canopy.
• Cost: Free during the day; ticketed performance at 7:00pm.
• Contact: lauren@connect2culture.org | (417) 621-9824

December 12:

Joplin Writers’ Guild

• Time: 6:00pm
• Location: Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St)
• Details: For hobbyists and professional writers. First meeting free.
• Cost: $10 annual dues
• Contact: s.v.farnsworth@gmail.com | (417) 691-0480
  

December 14:

7th Annual Holiday Market

• • Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
  • Location: Joplin Empire Market (931 E 4th St)
  • Details: Shop additional artisan vendors, gourmet foods, and handcrafted items. Enjoy holiday music and complimentary gift wrapping.
  • Contact: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@downtownjoplin.com, (928) 514-7713.

Holiday Open House

• • Time: 10:00 AM–2:30 PM
  • Location: Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center (201 Riviera Dr)
  • Details: Enjoy special sales, nature-themed gifts, and free snacks with staff.
  • Contact: Colvin Paige, colvin@wildcatglades.org, (417) 708-7713.

Joplin History & Mineral Museum Open House

• • Time: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
  • Location: Joplin History & Mineral Museum (504 S Schifferdecker Ave)
  • Details: Christmas cookies, crafts, local authors, and gingerbread contest winners.
  • Contact: Kelly Reddin, president@joplin-museum.org, (803) 603-8768.

Post Art Library Holiday Tea

• • Time: 2:00 PM–3:30 PM
  • Location: Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St)
  • Details: Enjoy tea, treats, crafts, and an ugly sweater contest. Music from Joplin High School Strolling Strings.
  • Contact: Jill Halbach, jill@postartlibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 X1041.

December 17:

Joplin Area Town and Country Quilters Meeting

• • Time: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
  • Location: Peace Lutheran/Sojourners Christian Church (3100 N St. Louis Ave)
  • Details: Potluck luncheon, ornament crafting, food collection for charity, awards, and gift exchanges.
  • Contact: Kathy Knapp, website.

December 20–22:

Heartland Opera Theatre Carolers

• • Details: Serenade loved ones with six holiday carols performed by professional singers.
  • Cost: $50–$100
  • Contact: Stacey Struble, heartlandopera@gmail.com, (417) 385-1454.

December 21:

Winter Solstice Hike (Ages 13+)

• • Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
  • Location: Wildcat Glades (301 Riviera Dr)
  • Details: A four-mile hike through Wildcat Park. Registration required.
  • Contact: Colvin Paige, colvin@wildcatglades.org, (417) 708-7713.

Children’s Holiday Crafts (Ages 3–8)

• • Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM & 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
  • Location: Wildcat Glades Education Cottage (301 Riviera Dr)
  • Details: Create holiday crafts; registration required.
  • Contact: Colvin Paige, colvin@wildcatglades.org, (417) 708-7713.

Film: Christmas in Yellowstone

• • Time: 1:00 PM
  • Location: George Washington Carver National Monument (5645 Carver Rd, Diamond, MO)
  • Details: A 52-minute film showcasing Yellowstone’s winter serenity.
  • Contact: Sarah Martin, GWCA_Interpretation@nps.gov, (417) 325-4151.

December 24:

Tinsel & Tidings Christmas Eve Market

• • Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
  • Location: Joplin Empire Market (931 E 4th St)
  • Details: Last-minute holiday shopping with artisan vendors and gift wrapping.
  • Contact: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@downtownjoplin.com, (928) 514-7713.

December 27:

Nature Bingo

• • Time: 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
  • Location: Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center (201 Riviera Dr)
  • Details: Bingo with an educational twist, prizes, and live animals. Registration required.
  • Contact: Tim Smith, Shoal.Creek@mdc.mo.gov, (417) 629-3434.
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December 28:

Kids’ Winter Bird Count (Ages 7–17)

• • Time: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
  • Location: Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center (201 Riviera Dr)
  • Details: Guided bird-watching and discussion with lunch provided. Registration required.
  • Contact: Tim Smith, Shoal.Creek@mdc.mo.gov, (417) 629-3434.

Short-Eared Owl Hike

• • Time: 4:00 PM–6:00 PM
  • Location: Shawnee Trail Conservation Area (160 SW 160th Ln, Mindenmines, MO)
  • Details: Learn about these owls on an easy hike. Registration required.
  • Contact: Tim Smith, Shoal.Creek@mdc.mo.gov, (417) 629-3434.