Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The East Toledo Christmas Parade will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade will travel from East Broadway to Starr Avenue and then up Main Street to Second Street.
Parade goers are invited to enjoy crafts and holiday fun after the parade at the Glass City Enrichment Center, 815 Front St., Toledo.
St. Paul’s Cookie Walk
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 14545 New Rochester Rd., Pemberville, will host a Cookie Walk on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will support the church’s Women’s Ministry.
Attendees will be able to grab a container and choose their cookies. They can also shop for homemade Christmas items at the Christmas Market; purchase soup, sandwiches and pies by the slice and place bids on items in the silent auction.
Call 419-287-4731 for more details.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Walk & Run
A Gibsonburg holiday tradition continues for the 12th year when the Gibsonburg Ugly Christmas Sweater Run and Walk hits the streets on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The 5K (3.1 mile) run and walk will start and finish at Gibsonburg Town Hall on North Webster Street.
As in years past, the entry fee for the event will be a new and unwrapped toy or nonperishable food items. Toys will be distributed to young people in need of a brighter Christmas from the community by the Gibsonburg Ministerial Association and Gibsonburg School District. Food items be placed on the shelves of the Gibsonburg Food Pantry.
Special awards will be presented to the Adult Male and Female and Youth Boy and Girl with the “Ugliest” Christmas sweaters. In addition, enjoy Ideal Bakery donuts, along with coffee and hot chocolate after the event.
Register at runsignup.com and search for The Gibsonburg Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K Run and Walk.
For more information call 419-637-2634 or email m.glotzbecker@gibsonburgohio.org.
‘Feathered Friends & Fine Art’ on display
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Ohio Arts Council are hosting the “Feathered Friends & Fine Art” exhibit at Maumee Bay State Park Lodge and Conference Center, 1750 State Park Road #2, Oregon.
The exhibition, located on the lodge’s first floor near the Icebreaker Lounge, features more than 30 pieces by several different artists. Curated to pay homage to Ohio’s vibrant birding culture and natural landscapes, the artwork showcases a wide variety of mediums, including painting, printmaking, mosaic, photography and more.
The exhibit, which will be on display through Jan. 16, 2026, is part of ODNR’s Arts in the Parks collaboration with the Ohio Arts Council. Arts in the Parks programs celebrate the interconnection of arts and nature, providing new ways for people to enjoy Ohio State Parks.
Holiday Open House
Magee Marsh Visitor Center will hold its 9th annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, Dec 7, from 12-4 p.m. at the center at 13229 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor.
Highlights of the holiday event include:
All proceeds from the event go to the Friends of Magee Marsh, who use the funds to make improvements to the marsh and the Visitor Center.
Christmas Tree Ship to dock at museum
The National Museum of the Great Lakes will host its annual Christmas Tree Ship event on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Presented by UToledo Health, with support from the Port of Monroe, the day features free museum admission for all visitors and marks the museum’s largest community giveback event of the year.
Inspired by the historic schooner Rouse Simmons – known as the original “Christmas Tree Ship” – the event blends holiday tradition with Great Lakes history. The ship will deliver trees that have been preordered by families or for donation to community members in need.
NMGL also invites the community to purchase gift card donations, which will be distributed by the museum’s community partners, including:
Thanks to the generosity of UToledo Health, every tree or gift card donation will include a matching healthy hygiene kit provided to families in need.
More details on how to donate can be found at nmgl.org/event/christmas-tree-ship25.
“This event embodies who we are as a museum – not just a place that preserves, shares, and celebrates history, but a place that also uplifts our community,” said Sara Smith, director of Institutional Advancement at the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
The event schedule:
Not able to join in person? Tune in to NMGL’s Facebook page at around 1:15 p.m. for a livestream of the ship’s journey down the Maumee River. Get a tour of the Christmas Tree Ship, learn more about the story that inspired the event, and meet the individuals onboard, including Santa.
National Museum of the Great Lakes is located at 1701 Front St., Toledo. Call 419-214-5000 for more details.
Free holiday concert
Clay High School will host the Toledo Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium, 5665 Seaman Rd., Oregon.
Admission is free and open to the community. Seating is general admission, first come-first seated.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Enter through Door #17 (rear entrance near the tennis courts).
The concert is made possible through a gift from PBF Energy - Toledo Refining Company, in partnership with the Live Arts Toledo and Oregon Schools Foundation.
‘& Juliet’ at Stranahan
Broadway’s hilarious hit musical “& Juliet” will kick off the 2025-2026 Broadway in Toledo Series at The Stranahan for eight performances Dec. 16-21.
“& Juliet” flips the script on the greatest love story ever told by asking: “What would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?”
The story bursts to life with a playlist of pop anthems, including ‘Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life” and more.
Tickets to “& Juliet” are available for purchase at BroadwayInToledo.com and StranahanTheater.com. Group ticket savings for 10 or more are available by contacting Groups@ATGuild.org.
Hayes Presidential publishes history of Spiegel Grove
The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums has published a history of Spiegel Grove, the estate of 19th President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes, and the library and museums grounds.
“The Story of Spiegel Grove: Rutherford B. Hayes, his Family, and their Home” summarizes the lives of Rutherford and Lucy Hayes, The Grove itself and the founding of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
The book was written by Josh Dubbert, Hayes Presidential historian. It features historic photos of the home, family and site from the Hayes Presidential’s collections, as well as modern color photos by Kristina Smith, Hayes Presidential marketing/communications manager. Smith also designed the book.
In September, Hayes Presidential also published a biography of Rutherford B. Hayes written by Dubbert titled “Rutherford B. Hayes: A Life of Service and Honor.” Both books are available for purchase in the museums store.
For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org.
‘The Rocky Horror Pride & Prejudice Show’
The Toledo Lucas County Public Library is marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth with a free screening of the 2005 film “Pride & Prejudice” – with an interactive twist.
Fans of the 1813 novel and its many film and television adaptations are invited to “The Rocky Horror Pride and Prejudice Show” on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 5:30-8 p.m. in the McMaster Center at the Main Library, 325 Michigan St.
“Jane Austen’s stories have brought people together for generations, and this event is a chance to experience
‘Pride and Prejudice’ in a whole new way,” said Allison Fiscus, the library’s adult services coordinator. “By blending a classic film with a lively, participatory twist, the Toledo Library is creating a space where our community can connect, have fun and celebrate Austen’s enduring legacy.”
The call-and-response–style screening pairs beloved moments from the film with the energy of a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” audience experience. Guests are encouraged to dress in Regency-era attire. Refreshments will be served from 5:30-6 p.m., with the movie beginning at 6 p.m.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. While her work offers sharp social commentary on the Regency era, the themes explored in her six novels – including love, class and morality – remain relevant today and continue to influence popular culture.
“The Rocky Horror Pride & Prejudice Show” is free and does not require registration. Visit toledolibrary.org for more information.
