Selections from one of the most beloved of all holiday ballets will return to the Historic Paramount Theatre on Friday.

Some of the popular pieces from Tchaikovsky’s fabled score of “The Nutcracker,” will be presented, as it has in the past, by the Jane Tayor Academy of Dance. Show time is 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. 

The dancers will weave their magic from “The Nutcracker,” and also provide other holiday selections as well. The night promises fun for all ages.

The show is part of the Christmas in the City tradition. The downtown kickoff to the holiday season – filled with a multitude of activities hosted by downtown businesses, as well as the lighting of the downtown and the beginning of the Salvation Army’s kettle campaign—goes from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Another feature of the evening will be the voting in the Create a Red Kettle From Scratch contest. Residents were invited to decorate a kettle, and those attending the kickoff can vote for their favorite at the Austin ArtWorks Center.

There are other highlights of this weekend, including Small Business Saturday. Watch for
more about that event in Friday’s issue of the Herald.

Events calendar

Thursday, Nov. 23

• Thanksgiving Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. For more information, call 507-433-1000.

• Thanksgiving Dinner, noon to 3 p.m. at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

Friday, Nov. 24

• Public Skate, 12:30-1:45 p.m. at Packer Arena. $4 to skate and $1 to rent skates. For more information, call 507-433-1881.

• Second Floor Art Gallery Opening – All Member Show, 5-7 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Open House celebrating the All Member art show. Free. Show goes from Nov. 24 to Jan. 6. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

• Christmas in the City, 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Main Street, Downtown Austin and various locations. Annual event kicking off the beginning of the holiday season. For more information, call 507-437-4561.

• Bingo, 5:40-7:40 p.m. at the Austin VFW. Early Bird starting at 5:40 p.m. Open to the public. For more information, call 507-433-6039.

• Jane Taylor’s “The Nutcracker,” 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Free will donation at the door. For more information, call 507-434-0934 or go to www.austinareaarts.org.

• Austin Bruins vs. Coulee Region Chill, 7-9:30 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins!
For more information, call 507-434-4978.

Saturday, Nov. 25

• Kids’ Studio – Northern Lights, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Mackenzie Bentzin. For kids ages 4 – 14; cost $5. For more information or to sign up, call 507-434-0934.

• Public Skate, 2-4 p.m. at Packer Arena. $4 to skate and $1 to rent skates. Questions: 433-1881.

• Sola Fide Observatory Viewing, 8-9 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory. Learn about the night sky from local experts. For more, call Keith at 507-440-1244 or email imstar@smig.net.

Sunday, Nov. 26

• Public Skate, 2:45-4 p.m. at Packer Arena. $4 to skate and $1 to rent skates. For more information, call 507-433-1881.