It’s that time again. The holiday season is upon us, and as usual, arts groups and organizations have a wide range of performances and events planned for Saskatoon and area residents. Many are perennial favourites, like the BHP Enchanted Forest light display, The Fireside Singers’ concert and the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s Messiah. Others are new, or new-to-us, plays like Persephone Theatre’s Miss Bennet, and Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre’s Mary of Patuanak. Here is a selection of seasonal offerings to move, delight, and entertain you throughout the month. And happy holidays.

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon

PERSEPHONE THEATRE, REMAI ARTS CENTRE, RAWLCO RADIO HALL UNTIL DEC. 21

A modern sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice focuses on the bookish middle Bennet sister, Mary, two years after the famous novel’s end. An unexpected guest arrives for the holiday festivities, and Mary wonders if she has found her intellectual match in this romantic holiday show. Recommended for ages 13 and up. https:// persephonetheatre.org/

BHP ENCHANTED FOREST

SASKATOON FORESTRY FARM AND ZOO UNTIL JAN. 7

The BHP Enchanted Forest, a holiday event supporting the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, returns for a 25th year. Said to be one of the longest-running and best Christmas light shows in Canada, visitors can view the bright scenes from the comfort and warmth of their vehicles. http://www. enchanted-forest.org/

GLOW SASKATOON PRAIRIELAND PARK

UNTIL DEC. 30 WED. TO FRI. 4 TO 9 P.M., SAT. 1-9 P.M., SUN. 12:30 TO 8 P.M.

Glow is a combined holiday light festival, market and food fair featuring live entertainment. The event offers illuminated frames for holiday family photos, and Santa is also on hand. https://www. glowyxe.com/

BABA’S MAGIC MITTEN

A UKRAINIAN PRAIRIE PANTO DANCING SKY THEATRE (MEACHAM) UNTIL DEC. 17

 Inspired by the traditional fairytale “The Hedgehog and the Mitten,” Baba’s Magic Mitten takes on the Prairie Panto format with comedy, talking animals, high jinks and music. The show is designed for all ages and comes with homecooked meals inspired by Ukrainian cuisine. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays with evening/ matinee performances and meal/ no meal options. https://www. dancingskytheatre.com/

AN EVENING WITH MR. DICKENS By John Huston

THE MARR RESIDENCE DEC. 4-8 7:30 P.M.

John Huston has grown his beard, packed his trunk and performed his version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for 30 years in many locations. He returns to The Marr Residence with his solo narration, playing all the characters using a range of accents and body language. https://ontheboards. ca/events/a-christmas-carol-liveperformance/

JOY OF VOX: FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR LAKEVIEW CHURCH,

19 GLAZIER ROAD DEC. 8, 7:30 P.M.

Joy of Vox, an adult pop vocal ensemble, started as a 40-member group in 2012 and now has grown to 200 members. Its annual Christmas concerts feature seasonal songs from the 50s through to present day, from The Irish Rovers to Boney M. https://www.joyofvox.com/

MARY OF PATUANAK GORDON TOOTOOSIS NĪKĀNĪWIN THEATRE BROADWAY THEATRE DEC. 7-15 7:30 P.M.

Written by Bruce Sinclair, Mary of Patuanak mirrors the sacred child story from an Indigenous perspective. Mary, a Dene woman, struggles with her dream world as she embarks on a journey where she meets an elder and a carpenter who falls in love with her. She discovers she is pregnant, and goes home to Patuanak to give birth in her home community. https://gtnt.ca/

HOLIDAY POPS WITH THE GRINCH SASKATOON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TCU PLACE DEC. 9, 7:30 P.M.

Conductor: Rosemary Thomson Garry Gable reprises his narration of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas with music from the SSO. Will your heart grow three sizes during the show? https:// saskatoonsymphony.org/

ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET’S NUTCRACKER TCU PLACE

DEC. 15, 7:30 P.M. – DEC. 16, 2 P.M.

 The Royal Winnipeg Ballet puts its own Canadian spin on the classic Nutcracker ballet by Tchaikovsky. Expect Mounties, dancing snowflakes and adorable polar bears along with turn-of-thecentury costumes and sets. https:// tcutickets.ca/

HANDEL’S MESSIAH SASKATOON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA KNOX UNITED CHURCH

DEC. 15, 7:30 P.M. SING-ALONG PERFORMANCE DEC. 16 AT 2:30 P.M.

Handel’s soaring Messiah, perhaps his best-known work and a perennial seasonal favourite, was first performed in Saskatoon in 1913, marking the beginning of what would become the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. This year’s performance marks the 110th anniversary of a holiday tradition in Saskatoon. Cosette Justo Valdés conducts the orchestra, with Duff Warkentin leading the SSO Chorus. Soloists include Casy Peden, soprano; Oli Guselle, alto; Spencer McKnight, tenor; and Brenden Friesen, bass. https://saskatoonsymphony.org/

THE FIRESIDE SINGERS CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

 With special guest Danika Loren TCU PLACE DEC. 20 AND 21, 7:30 P.M.

The Fireside Singers return with their annual musical presentation of Christmas favourites, ranging from beloved classics to modern selections. The large choir is supported by an orchestra. https:// tcutickets.ca/

-Joanne Paulson