Auditorium. Tickets are $27 to $37. On Dec. 7, Parkway Christian Church hosts its annual Holiday Organ Concert, featuring a singalong with Mark Gifford. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Adults $7.50.

Children under age 18 $2.50. If symphonic tunes are your choice of music, you won’t want to miss the sounds of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra. The youth group’s annual winter concert takes place Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church’s west location. The Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra’s winter concert is held Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. On Dec. 20, the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra unite for two performances at UIS’s annual Holiday Pops concert, scheduled at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets for each concert are $17 to $37.

Theater lovers can ring in the season with Hoogland Center for the Arts holiday productions, A Tuna Christmas and Christmas Wishes. A Tuna Christmas features the antics of two radio station news personalities as they attempt to stay afloat while reporting yuletide activities. The play, featuring comedians Rich McCoy and Darin Harms, is held Dec. 5 through 7 and Dec. 12 through 14. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees beginning at 4 p.m. $15. Christmas Wishes, the Roxy Group’s new musical revue, features the vocals of 12 Springfield residents singing traditional holiday songs, such as “Deck the Halls,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Winter Wonderland” and “O Holy Night.” The vocalists are accompanied by the Roxy Group’s 10-piece swing orchestra. The production takes place Dec. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. Adults $16. Children under age 12 $12. UIS hosts the Springfield Ballet Company’s holiday staple, The Nutcracker.

Sponsored by Solomon Colors and Carrolton Bank, the production, scheduled Dec. 6 and 7, begins at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Adults $27. Children $17. You and your children won’t want to miss the Springfield Park District’s holiday fun. Henson Robinson Zoo’s Second annual “Pancakes, Paws & Santa Claus” is held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 to10 a.m. The event, held at the Lincoln Greens Golf Course Banquet Hall, features a delicious pancake breakfast, and visits from Santa and a few of the zoo’s most cuddly animals. Adults $8. Children $6. Reservations required.

Thousands of lights and displays illuminate Henson Robinson Zoo during the annual Holiday Lights at the Zoo. Held Dec. 5 through 7 from 5 to 8 p.m., spectators view

continued on page 12