Observer Editor
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Events in December 2025
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December 25, 2025
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December 28, 2025
Ann Arbor Group Runs: Fleet Feet
Observer Editor
Every Tues., Wed., & Sun., except Dec. 24. Runners of all abilities invited to join a run of 3–5 miles along varying routes from different locations. Rain or shine. 8 a.m. (Sun.) & 7 a.m. (Tues.), Dozer Coffee, 112 Jackson Plz., and 7 p.m. (Wed.), Fleet Feet, 123 E. Liberty. Free. (734) 929–9022 (Sun. & Tues.) & (734) 769–5016 (Wed.). fleetfeetsemichigan.com.
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“Beauty and the Beast”: Michigan Theater
Observer Editor
Film screenings every day. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 and older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
Dec. 28: “Beauty and the Beast” (Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise, 1991). Disney animated romantic fantasy based on the French fairy tale about a loathsome Beast who must earn the love of a young woman in order to be transformed back into a prince. FREE; reservation requested at marquee-arts.org. 11 a.m.
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“Elemental Ecstatic Dance”: Our Play Ground
Observer Editor
Every Sun. Dancers of all ages & abilities invited for free-form dancing. Flow toys, hula hoops, and other props provided. Wear loose clothes, barefoot or stockinged feet. 11 a.m.–1 p.m., A2 Yoga, 2030 Commerce Blvd. $20 (age 13 & under, free) cash or Venmo (@andjru) at the door only. [email protected], bit.ly/ecstatic-dance-a2.
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“Investigate Labs”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Observer Editor
Every Tues.–Sun., except Dec. 24, 25, & 31, and Jan. 1. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s Nature Lab and Micro Worlds Lab to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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H.A.C. Ultimate
Observer Editor
Every Sun. All invited to a relaxed pick-up game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. 11:15 a.m., Fuller Park, just west of the pool & parking lot (or occasionally across the street). Free. (734) 846–9418, [email protected].
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“Adult Open Hours & Creature Encounters”: The Creature Conservancy
Observer Editor
1st & 3rd Fri. and every Sat. & Sun. During the Friday Adult Open Hours (age 18+ only), conservancy staffers show off some nocturnal animals, including a reindeer, Dumeril’s boa, African-crested porcupine, and wolf hybrid at 7:30 p.m. On Sat. and Sun., the first three animals are presented at 1 & 4 p.m., and an animal keeper talks about the wolf hybrid at 2 & 3 p.m. All tickets include a chance to see the conservancy’s other animals. 7–9 p.m. (Fri.) & noon–5 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), CC, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 (kids ages 2–12, $13; under age 2, free) cash or credit at the door only. (734) 929–9324, thecreatureconservancy.org.
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Collage Making: Ann Arbor District Library
Free
Adults and kids age 5 & up invited to make collages out of old magazines. Noon–2 p.m., AADL Traverwood. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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Critter House Open Hours: Leslie Science & Nature Center
Observer Editor
Every Sat. & Sun. A chance to view LSNC birds of prey and its Critter House animals, which include frogs, turtles, snakes, and other species native to Michigan. Noon–3 p.m., LSNC, 1831 Traver. $5 suggested donation. (734) 997–1553, lesliesnc.org.
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Open Board Games: Sylvan Factory
Observer Editor
Every Sun. All invited to play one of a wide variety of board games in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Instruction provided. Also, on Dec. 7, game playtesting with Michigame Design Lab (2 p.m.), during which players are invited to try out new board and card games from local designers Bruce Bielawa & Joe Hopkins and provide feedback. Noon–6 p.m., Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. Free. [email protected].
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U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater
Observer Editor
Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages, including We Are Stars (noon), an exploration of the secrets of our cosmic chemistry and our explosive origins; The Sky Tonight (1 & 3 p.m.), an exploration of the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own; and T. Rex (2 p.m.), an exploration of the iconic dinosaur’s scientific and cinematic history that contains scenes of dinosaur violence. Noon, 1, 2, & 3 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the gift shop. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0480, ummnh.org.
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“How to Become a Fossil”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
Observer Editor
Every Sat. & Sun., except Dec. 6. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for age 5 & up about how fossils form and what they can tell us. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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“Restoration Workday”: Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance
Observer Editor
All invited to help improve bird habitats by maintaining trails and clearing invasive shrubs at the WBNA Searles Nature Preserve. Dress for the weather; bring leather work gloves and water. Tools and know-how provided; bring your own tools, if you’d like. 1–3 p.m., Searles Nature Preserve; park along Bolla Rd., ¼ mile west of Stony Creek Rd., Ypsi. Free. washtenawbna.org.
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“Walking with Whales Tour”: U-M Museum of Natural History
Observer Editor
Every Sun. Thirty-minute tour that uses the museum’s specimens to tell the story of prehistoric whales and dolphins, who had 4 limbs and walked on land. 1:30 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. Limited capacity. Sign up at the welcome desk. (734) 764–0478.
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“DJ Whittington’s Kool Kat: A Hip-Hop Panto”: Theatre Nova
Observer Editor
Every Fri.–Sun., Dec. 5–Jan. 4. Mike Sandusky directs Carla Milarch and R. MacKenzie Lewis’s latest seasonal panto comedy, a hip-hop version of the English folktale of Dick Whittington. Loosely based on a lord mayor of London in the late Middle Ages, Whittington rises from poverty to wealth by selling his cat to a rat-infested town. British panto is a genre that blends familiar children’s stories with a bit of vaudeville to create a raucous family entertainment. Theatre Nova’s panto, a popular annual tradition, usually sells out. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Tickets $32 ($25, seniors; $15, students; $12, age 16 and under) in advance at theatrenova.org & at the door. (734) 635–8450.
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“Drag Bingo”: Ann Arbor District Library
Observer Editor
All invited to play a fun-filled round of bingo hosted by local drag queen Jadein Black. Prizes. 2–3 p.m., AADL Downtown, 4th fl. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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“Frozen”: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Dec. 4–Jan. 11 (different times). Daniel Cooney directs this local professional theater company in Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, and Jennifer Lee’s 2018 stage musical, itself based on the 2013 animated Disney movie, a loose adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen.” It tells the story of Queen Elsa of Arendelle, whose self-seclusion in an ice palace prompts her younger sister Anna to attempt to find her, aided by a cast of characters including Olaf the snowman and Kristoff the ice vendor. The musical features numbers like “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Let It Go.” 7 p.m., Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $44–$65 (17 and under $34) in advance at theencoretheatre.org & at the door. (734) 268–6200.
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“Jeff Daniels: Onstage & Unplugged”: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Observer Editor
Dec. 26–31. Purple Rose founder & playwright Daniels is a veteran movie, TV, & Broadway star who’s also a prolific singer-songwriter. He’s returning to Purple Rose for a series of concerts showcasing folk-flavored, often comically accented favorites from his ever-growing back catalog, likely including numbers from his most recent release Alive and Well Enough. 8 p.m. (Dec. 26, 29, & 30), 3 & 8 p.m. (Dec. 27 & 31), and 2 p.m. (Dec. 28). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $125–$150 in advance at Purplerosetheatre.org and by phone, and (if available) at the door. Usually sells out quickly. No discounts available. (734) 433–7673.
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“TriviaTime! with Katie and Abbie: Star Wars”: Ann Arbor District Library
Observer Editor
Adults and kids age 5 & up invited to answer Star Wars trivia questions. Prizes. 2–3 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. (734) 327–4200.
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CANCELLED: “Chicago”: Michigan Theater
Observer Editor
EVENT CANCELLED
Film screenings every day. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 and older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; Marquee Arts members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see marquee-arts.org/calendar.
Dec. 28: “Chicago” (Frank Urson & Cecil B. DeMille, 1927). Silent version of Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 play about a fame-obsessed housewife who kills her lover in cold blood. After trying to coerce her husband into taking the blame, she’s put on trial for murder. With live accompaniment on the Barton organ. FREE; reservation requested at marquee-arts.org. 2 p.m.
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Sunday Drop-In Tour: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Observer Editor
Dec. 7 & 28. Docent-led tours exploring The Villa of the Mysteries (Dec. 7), a nearly life-size reproduction of the frescoes of a well-preserved ancient Roman villa on the outskirts of Pompeii, and “Walk with an Egyptian: A Journey Through Time” (Dec. 28). 2–3 p.m., Kelsey Museum, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
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“How to Become a Fossil”: U-M Museum of Natural History Discovery Demos
Observer Editor
Every Sat. & Sun., except Dec. 6. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demo for age 5 & up about how fossils form and what they can tell us. 12:30 & 2:30 p.m., U-M MNH, 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org.
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Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings: Zal Gaz Grotto
Community Listing
10-piece big band led by Chris Smith, specializing in hot jazz of the 1920s and 30s. Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Duke Ellington and other jazz legends are prominent in their repertoire. Great for listening or dancing.
2070 W. Stadium Blvd ,Ann Arbor. Free (tipjar for the band). [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/porkjazz 734-663-1202.Add this event to your calendar: Google Calendar | iCal
Rob Haze: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Observer Editor
Dec. 26–28. Atlanta-based comedian, writer, and podcaster with a deadpan delivery whose act covers a range of topics from history to plagiarism and what your favorite dinosaur says about you. Preceded by opening acts TBA. Alcohol served. 7:15 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), & 7 p.m. (Sun.). 212 S. Fourth Ave. $21 (Sun., $18) at aacomedy.com and (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080.
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Musical Improv Jam: Hear.Say Brewing + Theater
Observer Editor
All invited to sing or move in musical/comical improv games and exercises, led by a facilitator and accompanist. No experience required. Spectators welcome. 7:30–9:30 p.m., HSBT, 2350 W. Liberty. Pay what you want. [email protected], heardotsay.com/events.
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