The Vero Beach Choral Society’s “Arrival: A Concert of Advent” will perform this weekend at the First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach. This moving 55-minute concert promises to be a highlight of the Advent season. Under the direction of Dr. Jacob Craig, the 60-member choral ensemble will perform two works: “I Will Lift Mine Eyes” by American composer Adolphus Hailstork, and the modern classic “LUX: The Dawn from on High” by Dan Forrest, who “draws inspiration from biblical scripture, as well as ancient liturgical chant and modern secular love poetry.” The piece is also visually inspired by the light within Reims Cathedral in France. Joining the ensemble for “I Will Lift Mine Eyes” is professional tenor Elijah Brown, who was recently recognized as an Artist-In-Residence at the Florida VOICE Project. The concert will be performed under the baton of Dr. Jacob Craig, accompanied by Ryan Kasten on organ and a chamber ensemble of flute, oboe, French horn, percussion, harp, violin and cello. The concert is free to attend, with a suggested donation of $10. The First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach is at 520 Royal Palm Blvd. For more information call 207-650-0094 or visit VeroBeachChoralSociety.org.
Riverside Theatre is offering two weeks of festive entertainment during their “Holiday Weekends” event, running Dec. 5-8 and Dec. 12-14. The theater will host a variety of performances and activities. This weekend the festivities include the popular “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas,” a beloved holiday special, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Tickets are $20. The festivities continue with a holiday raffle, Santa visits, and plenty of seasonal decorations to brighten the spirit. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
For those who appreciate a more hands-on experience, the Environmental Learning Center is hosting its annual “WinterGreen Night Lights” from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 6. This magical event features thousands of twinkling lights along scenic trails, a campfire for roasting s’mores, and a chance to take a canoe ride through illuminated mangrove tunnels in the Mangrove Magic Encounter. Tickets for the canoe rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cost $15 per person. Admission to WinterGreen Night Lights is $5 for adults and free for children under 11. S’mores and food are available for an additional cost. The Environmental Learning Center is at 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach. Call 772-589-5050 or visit DiscoverELC.org.
The Vero Beach Christmas Parade, hosted by the Sunrise Rotary of Vero Beach, begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, along Ocean Avenue. This is a festive tradition for locals, with colorful floats, marching bands, and community groups all taking part in the procession. Families can also enjoy additional activities like a Scavenger Hunt for Santa and a Can Castle Building Challenge for kids, adding an extra layer of fun to this cherished community event.
See a dazzling holiday light display when the McKee Botanical Garden offers the Jungle Lights event from Dec. 10-29. Visitors can marvel at over 200,000 LED lights illuminating the tropical landscape. Highlights include Vero Beach’s largest animated Christmas tree, illuminated bromeliad trees and a nightly Holiday Train Show. Guests can also enjoy festive treats at the Garden Café, purchase magical snowflake glasses to transform the scene into a winter wonderland, and visit Santa from Dec. 17-22. Jungle Lights runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and ticket prices range from $5 for children to $20 for adults, depending on membership status. The McKee Botanical Garden is at 350 U.S. 1, Vero Beach. Call 772-794-0601 or visit McKeeGarden.org.
Riverside Theatre’s Comedy Zone presents headliner Carl Rimi ad feature act Ben Jones this weekend. The shows begin at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7. All seats are $25. Rimi’s sets will be video recorded. Riverside Theatre is also the place for “Live in the Loop” free concerts. The schedule is “The 20th Street Jazz Band” performing at 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5; “Collins & Company” performing rock, pop and country from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; and the Johnny Nicks band performing oldies from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Admission is free. Bring a chair as these are outdoor concerts. You can reserve a cabana for $80. Call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
