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, …
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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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+)
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- 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)
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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.
December 28:
Kids’ Winter Bird Count (Ages 7–17)
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- 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
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- 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.
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