Holidays at home: The festive happenings of Castle Country

With the semester wrapping up and winter break beginning, Carbon and Emery counties are entering their busiest stretch of the year. From concerts and parades to markets, wagon rides, volunteer opportunities and school productions, there is plenty to do when you call this community home. Here’s a guide to everything happening this season, listed from earliest to latest.

Dec. 4: USU Prehistoric Museum FREE Entry Day
The USU Prehistoric Museum will offer free entry all day on Dec. 4, giving the community a chance to explore exhibits, fossils, and artifacts at no cost as part of its community outreach.

Dec. 4: Festival of Carols – 7:30 p.m.
USU Eastern’s Concert & Chamber Choir, along with the Castle Valley Orchestra, will present

the annual Festival of Carols at 7:30 p.m. in the Geary Event Center. Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children and students.

Dec. 4 & 5: Castle Country Christmas Tree Regalia & Santa Visits
The last chance to view the auction trees on Price Main Street runs through Dec. 5. Santa Claus will also be in the Christmas Shop (57 N. Carbon Ave. in Price) on Dec. 4 & 5 from 5–8 p.m.

Dec. 5: 3rd Annual Helper Main Street Soirée – 5:30 p.m.

The third annual Helper Main Street Soirée begins at 5:30 p.m., hosted by Bug + Bird
Mercantile, Make or Mend Utility Shop, Kate Kilpatrick Art Garage, My Restless Art: Pottery by Jess, and Asia Raine Jewelry. Come enjoy warm drinks, appetizers, and commemorative gifts. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food to donate to the local food pantry at any participating location.

Dec. 5 & 6: Helper Christmas Town Electric Light Parade – 7 p.m.
Helper’s annual Christmas Town Electric Light Parade begins at 7 p.m. on Main Street. Before the parade runs both nights, the Helper Civic Auditorium will serve a chili dinner from 4–7 p.m., featuring chili, kielbasa, hot dogs, nachos, and sauerkraut. Holiday fireworks will take place immediately following the parade on Saturday night only.

Dec. 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20: Gardner Wagon Rides: Christmas Edition

Gardner Farm will host Christmas wagon rides from 5:30–9 p.m. at 3045 North State Road 155 in Cleveland. Admission is $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 5–11, and free for ages 4 and under. Cash or Venmo is accepted. The event includes a light display, hay maze, and hot chocolate.

Dec. 6: Christmas Treasures Market – 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

The 18th Annual Christmas Treasures Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carbon County Events Center, located at 450 S. Fairgrounds Way in Price. With more than 60 vendors, entertainment, an art contest, giveaways, and food, the event also features pictures with Santa from 1–4 p.m. Entry is only $0.50. Proceeds support Carbon Christmas and other local organizations. For more information, call 435-650-7204.

Dec. 6: Free Movie: Home Alone – 11 a.m.

King Koal Theater in Price will be host to a free showing of Home Alone at 11 a.m. as part of the free movie series that happens each month.

Dec. 6: Helper Christmas Town Breakfast with Santa – 8–11 a.m.

The Helper Civic Auditorium will host Breakfast with Santa from 8–11 a.m. Families are encouraged to wear Christmas pajamas. Tickets are $4 for ages 11 and under and $6 for ages 12 and up.

Dec. 6: Senior Angel Tree Gift Delivery – 9 a.m.

Community volunteers can meet at the Notre Dame Hope Center in Price at 9 a.m. to help deliver gifts to local seniors in need as part of the Senior Angel Tree program.

Dec. 6: Home for the Holidays Drive-Thru Experience – 5–8 p.m.

A one-night-only drive-thru event will be held from 5–8 p.m. at 686 N. 400 E. in Huntington. Visitors can drive through a live nativity scene and Christmas lights, then meet Santa and his elf for a treat.

Dec. 6: Rural Utah Honor Band Concert – 5 p.m.

The Rural Utah Honor Band will present a large scale concert at 5 p.m. in the Carbon High School Auditorium. The group features 150 students from 14 high schools across Utah. Admission is free, but tickets are required for entry.

Dec. 7: 75th Annual Messiah – 7:30 p.m.

Local Castle Valley musicians will present the 75th Annual performance of Handel’s Messiah at Carbon High School at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Dec. 8: Ambassadors for Hope Youth Choir – 6:30–7:30 p.m.

The Ambassadors for Hope Youth Choir will perform “Give a Little Love” at the Price Civic Auditorium. The choir includes 72 auditioned students from grades 4–12 sharing music of hope and joy.

Dec. 8-12: Emery High School 1st Annual Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees features decorated displays from student organizations and local businesses in the halls around the Spartan Center. This year, trees will be returned back to the groups who entered them, but in the future they may start and auction. The event runs through a busy week of Emery’s sports schedule.

Dec. 11–13: Elf Jr., The Musical

Canyon View Middle School will present Elf Jr., The Musical on Dec. 11 and 12 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. The performances are free and open to the public.

Dec. 12–13: 10 Ways to Survive the Holidays – 7 p.m.

Mont Harmon Middle School’s theater class will present the play 10 Ways to Survive the Holidays on Dec. 12–13 at 7 p.m. in the MHMS auditorium. Tickets are $5. The show is written by Don Zolidis and directed by Mrs. Diana Cox.

Dec. 12–13: An Evening With Scrooge

The Rio Theater in Helper will host “An Evening with Scrooge” on Dec. 12–13. All proceeds benefit Sub for Santa.

Dec. 13: Holly Jolly Splash – 3–8 p.m.

The Desert Wave Pool will host the Holly Jolly Splash from 3–8 p.m. At 3 p.m., kids can write letters to Santa and drop them in his special mailbox. Games run from 3:30–5:30 p.m., and the Movie on the Bubble begins at 6 p.m. Regular pool admission prices apply, and USU Eastern students always receive free general entry.

Dec. 13: Helper Holiday Market – 11 a.m.

Helper’s Holiday Market will take place at 69 S. Main Street at 11 a.m., offering handmade gifts along with free cookies and punch.

Dec. 13: Wheels & Reels Movie Night – 6–8 p.m.

The Desert Thunder Raceway will host Wheels & Reels from 6–8 p.m., featuring a free showing of Turbo. Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase. The event is sponsored by Four Corners Community Behavioral Health, Desert Thunder Foundation, and the CARE Coalition.

Dec. 18: Celebrate Christmas Music

Mont Harmon Middle School will host its Christmas music showcase on Dec. 18. The choir performs at 5:30 p.m., followed by the band at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free in their auditorium.

Dec. 19: Mark Mackay Christmas Concert – 7–9 p.m.

The Price Civic Auditorium will host the Rock’n Rollin’, Guitar Slingin’ Christmas Tour with Mark Mackay from 7–9 p.m. Every ticket includes free skiing at Cherry Peak.

Dec. 25: Carbon County Community Christmas Dinner – 2–4 p.m.

The annual Christmas dinner will be held from 2–4 p.m. at a new location, the Carbon County Fairgrounds (450 S. Fairgrounds Way). The event includes a hot holiday dinner, Christmas music, cookie decorating, and gifts for kids. Home deliveries for those in need will begin at 1 p.m., and transportation is available. Anyone is welcome to attend or volunteer.

Transportation/Meals: Stephanie at 435-820-6631 Donations/Questions: Pam at 435-820-6628 or Brenda at 435-820-8140

Jan. 3: Free Movie: Ghostbusters 2 – 11 a.m.

King Koal Theater in Price will be host to a free showing of Ghostbusters 2 at 11 a.m. as part of the free movie series that happens each month.

Jan. 10: Crowning Confidence All-Abilities Pageant – 3 p.m.

The Crowning Confidence All Abilities Pageant will be held Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. in the Price Civic Auditorium. The event celebrates individuals with special needs by giving them a platform to shine, share their stories, and feel celebrated for who they are. It promotes inclusion, confidence, and community connection.

Jan. 23–24: Beat the Winter Blues Festival

The Beat the Winter Blues Festival will take place at the Emery County Recreation Center in Castle Dale. On Jan. 23, the festival runs from 3–8 p.m., and on Jan. 24 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The event will feature vendors, entertainment, food trucks, bingo, wagon rides, free ice skating, and more.

Local Traditions & Seasonal Favorites

Local traditions add to the holiday feeling each winter. The Castle Valley Civic Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is performed each November. The Castle Country Christmas Tree Regalia also displays decorated auction trees throughout November, with proceeds benefiting local organizations. Santa even visited lots of new places this year, like the Coyote’s Well Coffee Shop! Events aside, many also enjoy these simple things with family, friends, or even coworkers:

• Secret Santa and gift exchanges
• Caroling and donating to community Angel Trees
• Getting hot cocoa from Market Express of Maverik (this debate is heated!)
• Snowmobiling and snowboarding in areas like Huntington Canyon or Fairview Canyon

• Sledding at local parks
• Driving to see Christmas lights in the local neighborhoods

Holiday Menus Around Town

If you’re looking to support local on your sweet treat runs & gift giving this season, here are two of my favorite places with tasty holiday specials!

• Sherald’s Frosty Freeze
• Specialty Drinks:
• Frostbite: Sprite, Mint, Blue Rasp, Coconut Cream
• Christmas Punch: Sprite, Orange, Pineapple, Strawberry
• Winter Berry: Mellow Yellow, Vanilla, Blue Curacao, Fresh Lime
• Ginger Snap: Dr Pepper, Cream, Gingerbread
• Christmas Cookie Italian Soda: Vanilla, Cream, Cupcake, Sprinkles
• Jingle Berry Italian Soda: Whipped Cream, Cranberry, Grapefruit
• Specialty Shakes:
• Candy Cane Crunch: Chocolate Dip, Candy Cane, Whipped Cream
• Reindeer Crack: Salted Caramel, Cheesecake, Pretzels
• Salted Swirl: Cheesecake, Twix, Toffee Crumbs
• Eggnog: Whipped Cream
• Winter Wonderland: Vanilla Oreos, Yogurt Chips, Birthday Cake Batter, White Chocolate
• Merry Mint: Mint, Brownie, Andes Mints
• The Coyote’s Well Coffee Shop
• Specials:
• Orange Cranberry Redbull topped with Orange Spice
• Mr. Grinch: Blended Peppermint Eggnog Matcha topped with Maraschino Cherries
• Cereal Milk Latte: House-made cereal syrup topped with crushed cereal & whip
• Toasted Marshmallow & Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Abuelitas Hot Chocolate: Abuelitas Mexican hot chocolate mix with sweetened condensed milk drizzle, cinnamon, & whip