Holiday Events in Ames: Nutcracker, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and a Butterfly Blizzard

Iowa State University Forestry Club Tree Sales

ISU's Forestry Club will sell trees from the Reiman Gardens' parking lot from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Worldly Goods Shopping Night

Worldly Goods Shopping Night, a nonprofit in downtown Ames will host a shopping night from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday (tonight) and donate 15 percent of the purchase price to the Volunteer Center of Story County.  

Butterfly Blizzard Release

There might not be any snow, but that won't stop Reiman Gardens from having a blizzard. The garden will host tow Butterfly blizzards in which registered participants will release butterflies in the tropical garden from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15.

The event takes place before regular hours and hot cocoa will be served until 10 a.m.

Registration can be made by calling Reiman Gardens at 515-294-2710 or online atwww.reimangardens.com. Cost is $5 for one butterfly, $8 for two butterflies, $12 for three butterflies, and $3 for each additional butterfly. There's a maximum limit of 12 butterflies per group.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Ames Community Theater will present the Best Christmas Pageant Ever 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 9. Tickets are $15 and can be picked up at Gallery 319 or by calling: (515) 232-2354.

Gingy Scavenger Hunt

Local Main Street Cultural Arts businesses will also participate in a Gingy Scavenger Hunt through Dec. 16. Participants will be asked to look for the gingerbread character from the Shrek and Gingy movies for a chance to win four tickets to Shrek the Musical at the Iowa State Center.

Holiday Music at Reiman Gardens

The trees are trimmed, wreaths are hung, and music is filling the halls. Make sure to visit Reiman Gardens the first two weekends in December for the full holiday experience, with live music from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the Conservatory transformed into Santa’s Workshop.

Breakfast at the North Pole

Reiman Gardens annual breakfast brunch will take place at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 8. The breakfast includes participation in two activity stations where one can make a holiday treat and an ornament. Kids will also enjoy a story teller and face painting.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Reiman Gardens at 515-294-2710 or register online atwww.reimangardens.com.

Nutcracker Ballet

The Nutcracker Ballet takes place 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Stephens Auditorium. The 32^ndannual show includes more than 200 local performers.

ISU Alumni Center's Holiday Open House

Iowa State University Alumni Center's Holiday Open House will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at the ISU Alumni Center at 420 Beach Ave. The event includes shopping, refreshments and photos with the mascot Cy from 4 to 7 p.m.

Other Upcoming Events Follow Below:

Daily & Vincent Bluegrass Christmas Tue, Dec 11, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm

Jim Brickman "On A Winter's Night" Thu, Dec 20, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm

Living Nativity Scence Dec.14 & Dec. 15 6 p.m.

Winterfest at ISU

Is There a Santa? Exhibit Noon to 4 p.m. University Museums