Hometown Holiday Happenings

EDITOR’S NOTE: Share your holiday event with the readers of the Tri-City Record by emailing record@tricityrecord.com or calling the office at 269-463-6397.

Coloma American

Legion collects food for needy families

Beginning after Thanksgiving, the Coloma American Legion Post 362, 6505 Red Arrow Hwy., will be collecting non perishable food items for their annual Christmas boxes for needy families. Collections end Dec. 16.

The Post is open 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. They are closed on Mondays.

Berrien RESA’s

Blossomland Learning Center Holiday Bazaar, Dec. 5

Berrien RESA’s Blossomland Learning Center (BLC) is holding their annual Holiday Bazaar at 711 St. Joseph Avenue, Berrien Springs on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Public is welcome.

The Holiday Bazaar will feature an assortment of items, including jewelry, ceramic art, baked goods, ornaments, and more! The event will take place in the BLC gym. Proceeds from the bazaar will benefit BLC students by providing them with classroom materials, opportunities for social gatherings, and community outings.

Hartford & Lawrence United Methodist churches have special holiday events

On Friday, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19, the Hartford UMC will be showing movies at 6 p.m. The first week is “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and the second week is “Holy Night” (The Chosen). Lawrence United Methodist Church will show “Holy Night” on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. is a Blue Christmas Service in Hartford for those who have experienced loss. On Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. in Hartford and 7 p.m. in Lawrence are the church’s Christmas Eve Services. The public is invited to all the special events.

North Berr. Historical Museum Holiday Open House, Dec. 5-7

North Berrien Historical Museum once again will have their popular Holiday Open House for 2025 starting on Friday, Dec. 5 and concluding on Sunday, Dec. 7. Events on Friday begin at 1 p.m. with a holiday craft. Gingerbread house decorating ($8/kit), model train town and scavenger hunt is held all three days. The Coloma school choir will perform from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday.

A full day of holiday fun on Saturday starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus visits Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., also on Sunday. At 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. is a chili cook-off with live music. The Coloma Public Library will have holiday stories from 2:30 – 4 p.m., at the museum.

On Sunday, the museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can decorate gingerbread houses, see the model train town, take the scavenger hunt, visit with the Clauses, hear holiday stories and from 2 – 3 p.m. watch the John Dudley Magic Show.

The museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue in Coloma.

FREE Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 6

Breakfast with Santa will be at the Coloma Rod and Gun Club, 6145 Angling Rd., Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. “Pictures with Santa” is 9 to 11 a.m.; bring your own camera.

Kids eat for free up to age 14 and the cost is $5 for anyone 15 years old and over. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, and pick a gift while supplies last.

Santa Claus touches down at BH airport this Saturday

The Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, located at 1123 Territorial Rd, Benton Harbor, has shared that it has received word from the North Pole indicating that Santa Claus will make a special visit to the airport at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Families and children are invited to come see Santa during his brief stop.

According to the message, Santa will be in the region conducting a test run of his Christmas Eve route. North Pole officials explained that during these pre-holiday checks, Santa allows his reindeer to remain at the North Pole to rest for their upcoming global journey. Instead, he travels with the help of pilot partners who assist him in covering ground quickly.

Airport staff was informed that Santa plans to touch down in Southwest Michigan for a short refueling stop and a quick snack before continuing his route review. He also shared that he is looking forward to greeting local children and families during his visit.

The airport is inviting the community to come out and welcome Santa. Families who have not yet mailed their Christmas lists are encouraged to bring them, as Santa will reportedly accept letters in person.

“Welcome Winter” Family Holiday Open House, Dec. 9 & 10

Berrien RESA Parents as Teachers program is hosting its annual family holiday open house for parents/guardians and their children ages birth to 5 years old. Welcome Winter Family Holiday Open House is at Berrien RESA Administrative Center, 711 St. Joseph Ave., Berrien Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Children up to 5 years of age, along with their parents/guardians, will have the opportunity to play games, make crafts, listen to stories, enjoy a snack, and visit with Santa and Olaf at “Welcome Winter.” All families are welcome to this free event. Registration is not required.

Winter fundraising bake sale and silent auction, Dec. 11

Buy an angel in a love one’s name

The Auxiliary Christmas Tree of Love is again in the Watervliet hospital entrance. Community members can purchase an angel in memory of, or in honor of a special person for $11; after the holiday they can take the angel home.

The Watervliet Hospital Auxiliary is going to hold a bake sale for their winter fundraiser. It will be on Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Classroom C at the hospital. Expect to find homemade cookies, cake, and more. There will also be a silent auction.

See Santa at the Watervliet Fire Station, Dec. 13

Santa will be at the Watervliet Fire Department from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 so kids can have their picture taken with the popular Christmas visitor. Families must have a valid email address so the picture file can be sent to them. No pets allowed, please.

There is a donation-based admission for this event hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary. The fire station is at 217 W. Pleasant Street.

“Merry & Bright” brings holiday magic to Southwest Michigan

The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra invites the community to celebrate the magic of the season at Merry & Bright, a festive holiday pops concert on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jenkins Theatre, Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, 1100 Yore Ave. in Benton Harbor.

Audiences will enjoy beloved holiday classics including Polar Express, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Here We Come A-Caroling, alongside orchestral gems like Lucas Richman’s Hanukkah Festival Overture and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

Guest narrator, Benton Harbor Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough will invite children in the audience to join her for an on-stage story time reading of The Night Before Christmas brought to life with music.

One lucky audience member will win the chance to lead the orchestra in Sleigh Ride after a quick “Conducting 101” lesson from Music Director Matt Aubin.

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.smso.org or by calling the Box Office at 269-982-4030. Adult tickets start at $24, youth tickets start at $12; children ages 5 and younger are free (be sure to reserve their seat!). Group discount is available. Tickets will also be available at the door at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the event.