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11 reasons you need to go to downtown Elkhart in December

By: The Gateway Mile

It may be getting colder, but there’s still plenty of great reasons to head to downtown Elkhart.

Here are 10 things you don’t want to miss on The Gateway Mile in December.

1. Cirque Musica Holiday concert

Start off the holiday season with the first holiday show at The Lerner Theatre: Believe, presented by Cirque Musica Holiday. Watch world-class circus athletes perform to everyone’s favorite holiday songs at this show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $35 to $85 and can be bought online.

2. Winterfest!

Celebrate winter and Christmas with a day of activity on the Gateway Mile. Have breakfast with Santa, go ice skating, take part in the Ugly Sweater Run and Stroll to benefit the Elkhart Education Foundation and watch the Irish Figure Skating Club perform. End the day by watching the WinterFest Parade and the Gateway Mile tree lighting. Get more details at the city of Elkhart’s website.

3. Holiday gift shopping

You can find a gift for everyone on your shopping list in downtown Elkhart — whether it’s a gift card to a restaurant or a thoughtful, unique item found at one of the local shops on The Gateway Mile.

4. Elkhart Municipal Band’s Christmas concert

This free holiday show at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, features a pre-concert performance by The Jubilee Ringers of Elkhart County. Come out to watch your friends and neighbors in the Elkhart Municipal Band perform favorite Christmas standards as well as refreshing new versions. Get more information at The Lerner’s website.

5. The Ruthmere Museum

Ever wonder how wars and the military have impacted our holiday traditions? You’d be surprised! Visit the Ruthmere Museum at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, for a gallery talk on that exact topic. Admission is $2 and you can also get a guided tour of the Ruthmere Museum and see the holiday decorations. Get more information at The Ruthmere’s website.

6. Hot food and drinks to warm you up

There are more than two dozen local restaurants in downtown Elkhart, so you can always find something delicious to eat. Want fresh coffee? A cold beer? Fine dining? Something casual and cozy? You’ll find all of it and more on Main Street and the surrounding areas.

7. A Christmas Carol

This classic tale following Ebenezer Scrooge and his lessons from Christmas Past, Present and Future is a must-see inside the beautiful Lerner Theatre. Tickets are $12 to $21 and there are three showings Dec. 8-10. Buy your tickets online now.

8. The Oak Ridge Boys’ Christmas Celebration

Enjoy a mix of the Oak Ridge Boys’ chart-topping hits mixed with Christmas tunes at this concert on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Tickets are $36.50 to $66.50 and can be bought online.

9. 98 Degrees at Christmas

Hot off the release of their second Christmas album Let It Snow, 98 Degrees is making a stop at The Lerner Theatre in the middle of the band’s winter tour. Tickets are $34 to $64 and VIP packages including meet-and-greet photo opportunities are also available. Get tickets and more information at The Lerner’s website.

10. Elkhart County Symphony: Ring in the Holiday

The Jubilee Ringers of Elkhart County join the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra for a festive performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Tickets are $15 to $30 and are available online.

11. Lunchtime Live! with Celia Weiss

Spend your lunch hour enjoying a delightful performance by Celia Weiss, the organist of First Presbyterian Church in Elkhart. Weiss will play a variety of songs on The Lerner’s historic 1924 Kimball organ at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. Get more information on The Lerner’s website.

The Gateway Mile is the best place to shop for unique gifts, incredible food and one-of-a-kind experiences during the holiday season and all year round. Plan your next trip to downtown Elkhart at GatewayMile.com.

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