If you have been downtown Steubenville on South 3^rd Street in the past week or so, you have most likely noticed all the festive decorations appearing in Fort Steuben Park and on the Fort.

Preparations are underway for this year’s Nutcracker Village/Advent Market, Christmas Wonderland and Gift Shop.

There are so many additional events, displays and decorations that it would be impossible to mention them all here.  (And besides, it would spoil the surprise!)

As the big day for the arrival of this year’s 105 Nutcrackers approaches (just 14 days from now) everyone is scurrying about getting everything prepared and festive to greet them.

The lights are on the arches, some of the huge wreaths have been hung, and the decorations at the entrance of the Visitor’s Center are in place.   Construction of the new and very large impressive Christmas tree at the fountain has begun, as has the building of the Chalets which will house vendors of homemade crafts and decorations, delicious food and treats.

Work inside of the Visitor Center has also begun on the massive Christmas Wonderland displays (with much more to do) and the Gift Shop is close to being fully stocked with exciting and wonderful gifts and souvenirs sure to delight shoppers of every age.

Each day more is added in anticipation of opening night which is ‘Steubenville Lights Up the Night’ on November 22^nd, with performances by Steubenville and Catholic Central High Bands, The Casey Dancers and more, as well as free goodies. The Advent Market also opens that night and then is open each Friday, Saturday & Sunday from Thanksgiving through the weekend before Christmas, with live entertainment, hay rides, trolley tours and a few other surprises!

The Nutcracker Village, Christmas Wonderland and Gift Shop runs from November 22 through January 8, 2017.

The Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm and additionally the days and hours of the Advent Market.  (Closed December 24th  & 25th  and December 31st & January 1st).

The Schedule for the Advent Market is:

2016 ADVENT MARKET DATES AND TIMES

November 22 —– 4-9pm

November 25 & 26—–4-9pm

November 27—–1-6pm

December 2 & 3——4-9pm

December 4——1-6pm

December 9—–4-9pm

December 10—–Noon-9pm

December 11—–1-6pm

December 16 & 17—–4-9pm

December 18—–1-6pm

New this year for the Nutcracker Village/Advent Market is an original Nutcracker musical.

Wooden Heart Follies is a delightful production featuring the unique characters that inhabit the area’s newest holiday attraction. With an original script and lyrics based on Tchaikovsky’s famous “Nutcracker Suite,” the musical comedy includes the Mad Scientist, Patrolman Holiday, the Nutcracker Prince, Clara, Miss Adelaide, Vincenzo the Gondolier, Artopoios the baker, and Miss Nelson herself, the creator of the Steubenville Nutcrackers.

Saint Nicholas shows up as well! With an opportunity for audience participation and a share of slapstick fun, the production should become a welcome addition to family holiday traditions.

There will be performances  four Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm on November 17th, December 4th, 11th, and 18th at the Masonic Hall, 227 North Fourth Street, Steubenville. 

Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for students and little ones under 6 years old get in free.  

Tickets can be obtained at the Steubenville Visitor Center, 120 S. 3rd Street, at the door, or online at woodenheartfollies.brownpapertickets.com.  

For more information please call:  740.283.1787 -or- 740.283.4935.

Below are some behind the scene shots of the cast and Nutcrackers hard at work getting ready for the play!