By 
“It’s the hap-, happiest season of all…”
The sounds, smells and sweet surprises of the holidays are almost upon us! The Watertown Current will feature a weekly summary of upcoming arts events and cultural opportunities that you can share with friends and family.
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Creative works of art can take many forms – even gingerbread! The Fifth Annual Gingerbread House Contest, sponsored by the Northeastern General Auxiliary, will accept entries from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, near the Santaland location in the Watertown Mall. Prizes will be awarded in five categories: child, youth, teen, adult and professional. Cost per entry is $5 with all proceeds going to the Shriner’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Entry forms and rules can be found on Northeastern General Auxiliary’s Facebook page. Public viewing hours for the gingerbread creations will begin Friday, Dec. 6, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Watertown Mall. For questions, call 605-880-4285.
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The Lake Area Technical College Chorus will hold its first-ever LATC Chorus Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, on the fourth floor of the LATC Student Center (1201 Arrow Ave. NE). The performance will include the newly formed LATC Chorus and the Glacial Lakes Harmonizers, with sweet treats to follow. Admission is free with optional free-will cash or non-perishable food donations being collected for the Salvation Army Food Pantry. All are welcome.
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Auditions for Town Players Community Theater’s upcoming production “Four Weddings and an Elvis” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the theater, located at 5 South Broadway. For additional information, check out the character profiles online at www.townplayers.net.
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“Love Changes Everything,” a musical celebration of the Christmas story, will be held at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Abbey of the Hills near Marvin. The performance, directed by Lisa Berdan, will feature 70 singers and local instrumentalists. There are no reserved seats, but those interested in attending are asked to register online at [email protected] or by calling the Abbey at 605-398-9200. Limited seating is available, and a free will donation will be accepted.
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The works of three local artists will be on display in the Blue Room at Gather in downtown Watertown. Courtesy photo.
Three local artists are currently showcasing their works in the Blue Room at Gather Coffee (122 E. Kemp) in downtown Watertown. Joy Halling, Ramona Voegele and Doris Symens-Armstrong have selected some of their favorites to share.
Voegele, a retired art teacher, is displaying her photographic artwork. Halling is showing “Places I’ve Been (Near, Far and in My Mind).” Her watercolor works are painted either on location (en plein air) or in her studio. She believes beauty can be found in all scenes and tries to emphasize light and mood. Most of Armstrong’s work is done in oils, featuring landscapes, still life and people. From early on in her childhood, Armstrong knew she could draw and wanted to be an artist. Following a 20-year stint owning and managing fast food restaurants, she moved to Watertown in 2006 and resumed painting and sculpting.
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The Second Century Habitat Fund (SCHF) invites South Dakota artists to put their creativity to work for conservation through the 2026 Habitat Decal Contest. This annual event connects the art community with wildlife conservation by showcasing original artwork on collectible decals distributed statewide to support grassland and habitat restoration. The winning design will appear on SCHF’s 2026 Habitat Decal. Entries are due by December 5. Artists can find more information and submit entries online at www.sdhabitatfund.com.
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Winter Wonderland will return to Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park on Nov. 29 at Lake Kampeska. Courtesy photo.
Winter Wonderland will return to Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park for its 14th year, beginning on Saturday, Nov. 29. The drive-through Christmas light display, sponsored by the Watertown Optimist Club, will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 21. Admission is free, but donations help the Optimist Club fund activities throughout the year.
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Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings will bring their Christmas show to Watertown, Flandreau and Aberdeen next week.
Now, before your December calendar is completely filled, but be sure to save the dates for these upcoming holiday events:
- Carnegie Christmas Market will feature booths in an open-air market including local artisans, food and warm beverages surrounding the Codington County Heritage Museum. Children’s crafts and stories will also be available inside the museum, located at 27 First Ave. SE in downtown Watertown. Hours will be Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 605-886-7335.
- The Holy Rocka Rollaz will return to the Redlin Art Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, with their 1950s-inspired Christmas show. This popular rock and roll duo will bring back musical memories of Christmas days gone by. Tickets are $25 plus tax per person and may be purchased by calling the Redlin Art Center at 605-882-3877.
- Sherwin and Pam Linton, along with their band, The Cotton Kings, will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Redlin Art Center. Christmas favorites, holiday memories and a little bit of friendly banter are sure to be included. Tickets are $25 (plus tax) per person. Stop by the Redlin Art Center to purchase tickets or call 605-882-3877.
- The Nutcracker Ballet, a timeless holiday classic, will be performed in the Reliabank Theater at The Goss Opera House at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Tickets are available for purchase at www.thegossoperahouse.com. The Goss is located at 100 E. Kemp Ave. in downtown Watertown.
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“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Twila Schmitt writes to keep you up to date with arts opportunities in and around Watertown. Have a suggestion? Want an item included in the next column? Email [email protected].
