Christmas is always a time of coming together as families and communities to celebrate the season. This year, there are numerous events in our region to help engender a sense of kinship and good cheer within our communities. Whether it’s music, dance or a good parade that appeals to you, there’s something to get everyone into the spirit of the holidays:

·          The Spirit of Christmas presented by Diamond Talent Productions
Thursdays through Saturdays, Dec. 10-19, 7:30 p.m. (Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.)

Diamond Talent Productions, 2661 South 120 East, St. George
$15 Adults, $13 Seniors & Students, $12 Children (11 and under)

Contact 435-656-3998 or email diamondtalentpro@gmail.com
The Spirit of Christmas is a holiday musical celebration for the entire family. Presented by Diamond Talent Productions, the spirit of Christmas comes alive in this high energy production featuring favorite Christmas songs, colorful costumes and beautiful dancing. Starring Kent Braddy, Melinda Larson and the Diamond Talent Dancers, this show promises to warm the hearts of families throughout southern Utah.

·          Messiah presented by The Orchestra of Southern Utah
Sunday and Monday, Dec. 13-14, 7:30 p.m.
Heritage Center, 105 North 100 East, Cedar City
FREE concert
Contact 435-586-2286 or go to www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org
The Orchestra of Southern Utah is presenting Cedar City’s 69th annual presentation of Handel's Messiah. Thanks to State Bank of Southern Utah, this is a free event. MORE INFO HERE

·          The Forgotten Carols presented by the Southern Utah University Institute Choir
Wednesday, Dec. 16 through Saturday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Cox Auditorium, Dixie State College, 225 South 700 East, St. George
Tickets $15-$24
Contact 435-652-7800 or tickets.dixie.edu
The Forgotten Carols is the story of Constance, a rigid yet competent nurse, too practical to be bothered by Christmas. She is assigned to care for an aged gentleman with alleged psychiatric tendencies over the holiday season. But this unlikely patient, John, is nothing like the senile “crazy” she expected. With warmth and spunky kindness, John eventually breaks through Constance's iron-clad exterior as he walks her through the untold carols of the more forgotten characters in the Christmas story and guides the young nurse to the Christmas carol waiting to be sung inside her own heart.

·          Homes for the Holidays Show presented by the Celebrity Concert Series Guild
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11-12, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Twelve homes throughout the St. George area
Tickets $12 at Lin’s, Harmon’s, Little Professor Bookstore, Cox Auditorium Box Office
Contact 435-652-7994
Ever wanted unusual and interesting ideas to transform your home into a Christmas wonderland? Would you like to do something different and fun with family and friends to celebrate the holidays? Well, here’s a great holiday tradition for you! Twelve lavishly decorated homes will be on display with the annual Homes for the Holidays Show. Tickets include a map of the homes on display, and guests drive to each home in any order preferred. Signs along the route guide patrons to the correct locations. A hostess greets guests to point out unique decorations and give histories of interesting objects. All proceeds from the show support the arts, Celebrity Concert Series and scholarships to Dixie State College Performing Arts students.

·          Twelve Pets of Christmas presented by Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter & Homeless Animal Rescue Team
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Ivins Animal Shelter, 200 E. 450 N., Ivins
Adoption fees reduced to $12 for cats and $25 for dogs
Celebrate the holidays with your entire family – and consider a new four-legged family member – at the Twelve Pets of Christmas Event. Special guest and animal advocate Carl Lamar will be broadcasting live on KONY Country Radio from a cage at the shelter and will remain behind bars until 12 pets are adopted or $5,000 is raised to help feed and house homeless cats and dogs. The event includes a fundraising silent auction, food and craft booths, pictures of your kids and pets with Santa Claus and much more.

·          Christmas at the Homestead
Monday, Dec. 7, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Iron Mission State Park, 635 N. Main St., Cedar City
$3 per family
Contact 435-586-9290
The Second Annual Christmas at the Homestead is a celebration of the season and the region’s pioneer heritage. This trip back in time is held at the Iron Mission State Park and Museum, offering memories that will last a lifetime. Activities include warm fire, a special pioneer Christmas story, dip candles, writing letters to Santa Claus, quilt and paper-chain making, popcorn stringing, and the "Big Guy" himself. Carolers will stroll throughout the complex filling the air with the sounds of the season. And warm apple cider will be available to all on the back lawn.

·          24th Annual Electric Light Parade
Saturday, Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.
From 400 South to 200 North on Main St., Cedar City
FREE
Contact 435-865-2940 or uc84701@yahoo.com
Come usher in the Christmas season with Utah’s original Electric Light Parade at 6:00 p.m. on Cedar City’s Main Street. Also join in on the Tree Lighting Ceremony, hosted by the Knights of Columbus, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor's Park (Corner of University Blvd and Main St). Enjoy all the creative, locally crafted entries that will light up the night with their festive flair.