Aurora Theatre Announces Holiday Festivities for December

Aurora Theatre heats up the holidays with an abundance of festive fun for all ages! Enjoy the return of three holiday hit shows Christmas Canteen 2015, A Christmas Carol and The 12 Dates of Christmas, send someone special Aurora's Christmas Carolers or participate in Noche de Velas for a cultural experience unlike any other! Whether it's with friends, family or solo, Aurora's December programming is the perfect winter escape!

December Special Programming

Need a Little Christmas Giveaway

Spread joy this holiday season to a family in need! If you know someone who could use a little extra cheer this time of year, nominate them for Aurora's Need a Little Christmas Giveaway! Grand-prize winners will receive a family four-pack of tickets to Christmas Canteen 2015, a gift certificate for dinner on the Lawrenceville Square and two mini-season tickets to continue the joy throughout the coming year. Runner-up families will receive tickets to an Aurora Children's Playhouse performance in December, A Christmas Carol or The 12 Dates of Christmas.

Please note - stories submitted on nomination forms may be used to promote the giveaway; in the spirit of giving for the holidays, one may not nominate themselves. Nominations are due Friday, December 6 at 4 p.m.

Teatro Aurora's Noche de Velas
December 7 at 5 p.m.

Celebrate Colombia's unofficial start to the Christmas season with Noche de Velas (Little Candles' Day or Candles Night)! Beginning at sundown on December 7, the holiday tradition is observed by lighting candles and lamps to illuminate streets in small towns and cities. Candles will be provided, but guests are still encouraged to bring their own. The event is FREE.

Aurora Children's Playhouse

December 5, 12 and 19; 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Aurora Theatre debuts its Children's Playhouse holiday series with Families, a variety of lively Yuletide performances featuring jugglers, musicians, storytellers and more for all ages to enjoy. This year's lineup includes new performers, as well as returning audience favorites! Tickets are $7; Playhouse Tickets will also be accepted. Reservations are recommended.

· December 5, 2015- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Piccadilly Puppets
*Photos with Santa will be available post-show when guests bring a donation for Toys for Tots

· December 12, 2015- Santa's Missing Mail by All Hands Productions

· December 19, 2015- The North Pole Fa-La-La-La Follies by That Puppet Guy

Carols and Cocoa

December 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19; times vary

'Tis the season for giving - Aurora Christmas Carolers, that is! Send holiday cheer in the form of songs and an Aurora custom cocoa gift set to someone's doorstep, holiday party or office. Carolers can be sent to zip codes 30017, 30019, 30024, 30043, 30044, 30045, 30046 and 30097 for $45. All proceeds benefit the Aurora Apprentice Program.

· Day Options - December 16 and 18

o 11:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 12:50 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:10 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m. and 4 p.m.

· Night options - December 11, 12, 18 and 19

o 4:30 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 5:50 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 7:50 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.

Aurora Theatre Academy's Jingle Bell Rock Workshop (All Grades)
December 21 and 29; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Calling all students, elementary through high school - eggnog improv is coming to Lawrenceville! Escape the chilly temperatures and heat up winter break with Aurora Theatre Academy's Jingle Bell Rock Workshop. What happens when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman meet at the grocery store? Come dressed in holiday best and find out! There will be theatre games, kooky characters, pizza and of course, fun! Tuition is $35 and includes lunch.

Monday, December 21

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

One Elementary School Class (Grades 1-5)
One Middle School/High School class (Grades 6-12)

Tuesday, December 29

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Two Elementary School classes (Grades 1-5)
One Middle School/High School class (Grades 6-12)

Events Continuing in December

A Christmas Carol

November 27-December 20; times vary

Anthony P. Rodriguez returns for a ninth year with his mesmerizing solo performance of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. Not unlike what Charles Dickens himself did in the 1800s, Rodriguez focuses on the classic art of storytelling, using his voice and mannerisms to bring to life Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley and the remarkable ghosts found in the greatest Christmas story of all time. Performing for a limited four week engagement, Aurora's intimate 80-seat studio is transformed into the cozy setting of Dickens personal parlor. For ticket information, please click here.

The 12 Dates of Christmas

November 28-December 19; times vary

While watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary sees her fiancé kiss another woman on national TV! Over the next year, Mary is set up, hooked up, strung up, and fed up as she stumbles back into the dating scene. In repertory with A Christmas Carol, Aurora's own Jaclyn Hofmann stars in this delicious one-woman show! For ticket information, please click here.

Christmas Canteen

November 19 - December 20

Winter is coming, which means only one thing: Christmas Canteen! As Gwinnett's longest running theatrical holiday tradition, Christmas Canteen returns for its 20th season in all its holiday glory. Directed by Anthony P. Rodriguez, with musical direction by Ann-Carol Pence and choreography by Jen MacQueen, this time-honored tradition just keeps getting better by the years! Combined with the awe-inspiring Festival of Trees, Aurora guarantees to give audiences a Christmas to remember!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas Holiday Play Class

December 7; 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Over the past month, elementary and high school students have been working hard to produce the holiday classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas! Guests are invited to enjoy the production on December 7 during two different show times. Tickets are $5.

For more information on Aurora Theatre programming or to purchase tickets for events, visit www.auroratheatre.com or call the Box Office at 678.226.6222.