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Greetings {name},

We hope you'll appreciate our curated list of community events and cultural opportunities in the coming days.

located on Ponce de Leon Boulevard at Antilla Avenue, where East Ponce de Leon breaks away toward the Woman's Club, Ponce Plaza triangle park features a four-tiered fountain adorned with classical aquatic themes

click on the image to see enlargement.

Coral Gables scenic photo illustrations © Robin and Robert Burr.

Friday, November 28, the day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is considered the official kick-off for holiday shopping. Retailers across the country slash prices, offer doorbuster deals on popular big-ticket items, and often open in the wee hours of the morning to extend early bird specials.

Saturday, November 29, the last Saturday in November, is Small Business Saturday, a time to consider supporting small neighborhood businesses when planning holiday shopping.

Sunday, November 30 is the First Sunday of Advent on the Christian calendar. It's traditional to give Advent calendars as gifts at this time of the year.

Monday, December 1, the Monday after Black Friday, is known as Cyber Monday, a modern tradition that anticipates many Americans using online purchasing sites to pre-order holiday presents on sale.

Tuesday December 2, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is Giving Tuesday, described as global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

Friday, December 5 is National Repeal Day, a celebration of the end of prohibition in 1933 when the 21st amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, which banned the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Cheers to that!

As always, make plans to enjoy the great outdoors in our little city. Walk down Miracle Mile, experience the live theatre and the best movies, browse the book stores, look into the art galleries and meet up with friends at the restaurants -- including restaurant row in the 100 block of Giralda. Visit the parks and public spaces to appreciate the bounties of nature.

Enjoy the best of Coral Gables in the coming days.

Robert and Robin Burr

Now On Amazon
Local Gardening Author
Linda Lawrence publishes "Green Gables"
A local gardening enthusiast, Linda Lawrence Waldron authored a series of articles for Gables Living Magazine over the years highlighting gardening tips, techniques and special events in Coral Gables. Her new book, Green Gables, follows up on that long term effort to celebrate and diseminate useful information to friends and neighbors who share her delight in the gardening hobby. Green Gables is now available from Amazon Books. Get details online.

Save The Date
Sunday, December 14 at 4pm
Winter Dreams: A Holiday Soirée — Opera, Broadway & Seasonal Favorites
Prepare to be swept away by an afternoon of musical magic as three extraordinary artists -- Miami’s own Amanda Crider, acclaimed baritone Jonathan Beyer, and award-winning pianist and MCMS Artistic Director Marina Radiushina -- join forces for a festive celebration of the season. Amanda Crider is best known locally for her leadership of IlluminArts and performances with Seraphic Fire and the New World Symphony. Jonathan Beyer brings a distinguished international career -- with appearances at major opera houses and symphonies -- to our stage. Marina Radiushina, beloved as both performer and director, brings depth, artistry, and elegance to the keyboard. In a delightful twist, both singers are also accomplished pianists and will accompany one another throughout much of the evening -- trading roles with playful artistry. Marina Radiushina joins them for select numbers, and the trio comes together for several duets and a dazzling finale of six-hand piano fun. The program moves seamlessly from luminous art songs by Bridge, Clara Schumann, Sibelius, and Dvořák, to sparkling opera scenes by Strauss, Bellini, and Rossini, to witty Broadway and cabaret favorites -- including Tom Lehrer’s cheeky humor -- and finally, a warmhearted set of holiday classics that will leave you smiling. After the concert, everyone is invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments and snacks, and to meet the musicians in a relaxed and joyful reception setting. The event takes place at Sanctuary of the Arts, 410 Andalusia Ave. Get details online.

Thursday, November 26 at 6:30pm
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns for his most dangerous case yet in the third and darkest chapter of Rian Johnson’s murder mystery opus. When young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), it’s clear that all is not well in the pews. Wicks’s modest-but-devoted flock includes devout church lady Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), circumspect groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church), tightly-wound lawyer Vera Draven, Esq. (Kerry Washington), aspiring politician Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), town doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), best-selling author Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), and concert cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny). After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc to unravel a mystery that defies all logic. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Rian Johnson writes and directs Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and assembles another all-star, award-winning cast. Get details online.

Thursday, November 27 at 8pm
Hamnet
Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao directs Hamnet, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 New York Times bestselling novel. William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, celebrate the birth of their son, Hamnet. However, when tragedy strikes and Hamnet dies at a young age, it inspires Shakespeare to write his timeless masterpiece Hamlet. Academy Award nominees Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal star in the film alongside Academy Award nominee Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn and produced by Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes. Get details online.

Now through December 30 from 6:30 to 10pm
Zoo Lights Miami
For a limited time only, Zoo Miami is opening after dark for an unforgettable holiday spectacle. Wander through a wild wonderland glowing with over a million dazzling lights, and a 26-foot-tall LED holiday tree, while enjoying festive music, tasty holiday treats, and surprise encounters along the way. Dont miss Jingle Paws & Santa Claws -- a brand new animal presentation at the Sami Family Amphitheater. Zoo Lights Miami continues through December 30. Get details online.

Friday, November 28 from 10am to 4pm
Historic Holidays: Golden Age of Travel
This year, the Deering Estate invites you to step back in time and across continents to experience the magic of the season with Historic Holidays “The Golden Age of Travel.” The Richmond Cottage, with surrounding outdoor areas of the Estate, will be adorned with festive decorations inspired by the elegance and adventure of early 20th-century travel. The Historic Holiday Décor will feature destinations visited by Charles Deering in the early 1900s and the modes of transportation that defined the era. The display remains until Tuesday, January 6. Get details online.

Friday, November 28 from 6 to 10pm
NightGarden at Fairchild
Celebrate the holidays at Fairchild’s Very Merry Garden with festive activities, Santa visits, and fun for the whole family through January 11. Get details online.

Friday, November 28 at 6pm
Fontana’s White Truffle Experience - 4-Course Dinner Tasting
Each winter, beneath the ancient oaks of Alba in Italy’s Piedmont region, a rare culinary treasure is unearthed -- the white truffle. Coveted for its exquisite scent, delicate yet intoxicating and its distinctive marbled surface of ivory and gold, the white truffle imparts an unparalleled depth of flavor: buttery, garlicky, and luxuriously earthy. Revered by chefs and connoisseurs alike, its rarity and short season make it one of the most sought-after ingredients in the world. The White Truffle Experience at Fontana celebrates this fleeting indulgence through a four-course dinner menu designed to showcase its elegance in every form. Each dish invites you to savor the essence of northern Italy, where time, terroir, and tradition converge in one of gastronomy’s most extraordinary pleasures. Available throughout the month of December. Get details online.

Friday, November 28 at 6:50pm
Eternity
In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with, and her first love, who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive. Get details online.

Friday, November 28 at 7:15pm
Zootopia 2
In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2, detectives Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the mammal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 from 9am to 5pm
Small Business Saturday in Coral Gables
To encourage residents and visitors to shop small on Small Business Saturday, Downtown Coral Gables parking garages will be open for free parking. Visitors are also encouraged to use the city's convenient Freebee and Trolley services to explore downtown. Support your community and discover unique local treasures. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 at noon
The Fifth Step - National Theatre Live
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) and Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Responder, Sherlock) star in a critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play about two men in Alcoholics Anonymous whose fragile friendship is tested when confession reveals truths that could shatter both their recoveries. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 at 6pm
Anika Jade Levy - debut novel Flat Earth
Books and Books presents Anika Jade Levy discussing her debut novel Flat Earth -- a razor-smart portrait of ambition, female friendship, and the surreal churn of internet culture and the NYC art scene. A young woman struggles with the artistic success of her more privileged, beautiful best friend in this ruthless portrait of the New York art scene in which relationships are transactional, men are vampiric, and women have limited time to trade on their youth, beauty, and talent. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 at 6pm
Sentimental Value
Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star. Suddenly, the two sisters must navigate their complicated relationship with their father -- and deal with an American star dropped right into the middle of their complex family dynamics. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 at 8pm
Left on Tenth
Adapted from Delia Ephron’s bestselling memoir, this inspiring story is about love rediscovered and the thrill of new beginnings. When a chance email reconnects two people from the past, a surprising and transformative romance unfolds. Brimming with Ephron’s signature charm, the play is a celebration of resilience, connection, and the possibility of rewriting your story at any age. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 at 8pm
Man of La Mancha
The musical that opened Actors’ Playhouse in its Kendall location and again at the Miracle Theatre, Man of La Mancha returns to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary at the Miracle Theatre. One of the world’s most popular and enduring musicals, Man of La Mancha is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th-century masterpiece Don Quixote and set during the Spanish Inquisition. Cervantes, imprisoned and awaiting trial, leads his fellow inmates in a play-within-a-play that tells the story of Alonso Quijana, an aging man who imagines himself as the knight Don Quixote and sets out on a quest to right all wrongs in the world. Featuring a stirring, Spanish-inflected score with beloved songs like "The Impossible Dream," "I, Don Quixote," "Dulcinea," "I Really Like Him," and "Little Bird," this five-time Tony Award-winning musical is a moving tribute to hope, imagination, and the power of dreams. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 at 8pm
Comedy at the Hub: Jared Freid
Jared's hour of standup is about the highlights and lowlights of traveling when you’re single and 40. Explaining the reasons you’re traveling alone to your parents. Telling your married friends it’s not the wild time they imagine. And figuring out why they don’t put enough ice in your drink abroad. This hour is for everyone. Millennials. Parents of the Millennials. And the Gen Z people who want a story from the ghost of single future. Get details online.

Saturday, November 29 at 10pm
Mean Streets
The movie that announced Martin Scorsese’s arrival as a new filmmaking force -- and marked his first historic teaming with Robert De Niro. Mean Streets is a story Scorsese lived, a semi-autobiographical tale of the first-generation sons and daughters of New York’s Little Italy. Harvey Keitel plays Charlie, working his way up the ranks of a local mob. Amy Robinson is Teresa, the girlfriend his family deems unsuitable. And in the star-making role that won Best Supporting Actor awards from the New York and National Society of Film Critics, De Niro is Johnny Boy, a small-time gambler in big-time debt to loan sharks. Get details online.

Sunday, November 30 from 10am to 5pm
Deering's Museum Store Sunday
The Gift Shop at Deering Estate invites shoppers to participate in Museum Store Sunday, an annual holiday shopping day offering a special shopping experience in one-of-a-kind stores, showcasing broad assortments of highly curated, unique, mission-related gifts. Purchase a one-of-a-kind souvenir or a unique holiday gift. You can also give the gift of membership to Deering Estate this Holiday Season. Use promo code HoHoHo online and receive a 15% discount. Membership to the Deering Estate Foundation supports the mission to preserve and conserve the Deering Estate for future generations. Get details online.

Sunday, November 30 at 10:30am
Hattie Bauer Preserve Hike
Welcome to the Hattie Bauer Preserve, a place that holds both the remnants of the famed Orchid Jungle and a treasure trove of rare plant life alongside historic structures. Join a guided tour to delve into the intriguing history of Orchid Jungle during its glory days, uncover the factors that led to its decline, and discover the ongoing restoration efforts led by the dedicated parks department. Advance registration is necessary. Get details online.

Sunday, November 30 at 5pm
Scott Eyman - Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face
The Books & Books Literary Foundation is proud to present an afternoon with Scott Eyman discussing Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face. Film historian and acclaimed New York Times bestselling biographer Scott Eyman has written the definitive biography of Hollywood icon Joan Crawford, drawing on never-before-seen documents and photos from the Crawford estate. This free event is open to the public and books will be available for purchase the night of the event. Get details online.

Monday, December 1 at 4pm
Game On! Nintendo Switch Mondays
Show off your video game talents in a friendly Nintendo Switch gaming session at Coconut Grove Library. Learn how to play or sharpen your skills. Gaming console and games provided. Call 305-442-8695 or email: hernandezje@mdpls.org. Ages 6 to 18 years old. Get details online.

Monday, December 1 at 5pm
Half Priced Wine on Monday
The entire wine list is half off on Mondays at Beauty And The Butcher. Try the Langlois-Chateau Sancerre or the Talbott, Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay from Santa Lucia, California. Get details online.

Monday, December 1 at 7pm
South Florida Palm Society
The SFPS meets on the first Monday of every even-numbered month at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. Admission is free and open to the general public. Doors to the Corbin Bldg. will open at 7pm. Light refreshments, water, and soft drinks will be provided. The program will start at 7:30pm and you are encouraged to bring your favorite potluck dish for the food table and any labeled plant donations for the auction table. Get details online.

Monday, December 1 at 7pm
Tyler Malek - America's Most Iconic Ice Creams: A Salt & Straw Cookbook
Books & Books is proud to present an evening with Tyler Malek discussing America's Most Iconic Ice Creams: A Salt & Straw Cookbook: Classic Flavors and Creative Riffs. The creative flavor geniuses at Salt & Straw, the wildly successful small-batch ice cream brand, bring you the absolute best versions of classic American flavors... and zillions of ways to riff, twist, and spin them into outrageous new scoops. This free event is open to the public and books will be available for purchase the night of the event. Get details online.

Monday, December 1 at 7:30pm
Mikailo Kasha Album Release
Attend the album release of “We Have Jazz At Home” and a live performance. Mikailo Kasha is an award-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader based in Miami, Florida. Currently considered to be among the top 1% of bassists worldwide, Kasha is a dynamic bandleader, versatile sideman, and a prodigious voice on both upright and electric bass. This Jazz MIA event takes place at Westchester Cultural Arts Center, 7930 Southwest 40th Street (Tropical Park). Get details online.

Tuesday, December 2 at 9:30am
A Century in Bloom Exhibition - Gables Garden Club
Attend A Century in Bloom, a captivating exhibition at the Coral Gables Library celebrating 100 years of the Coral Gables Garden Club's dedication to beauty, community, and environmental stewardship. Step back in time through stories and pictures that honor a century of growth and service, recognizing the lasting impact of the Club's vision on the city's landscapes and spirit. Celebrate a legacy that continues to make Coral Gables flourish. Call 305-442-8706 or email: capleybr@mdpls.org. All ages are welcome. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 2 at 11am
Schnitzel Tuesday at Fritz And Franz Bierhaus
Meet up with friends at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus for the Tuesday Schnitzel Special all day long; and Wednesday to Friday during lunch from 11am to 3pm. Fritz And Franz Bierhaus offers authentic German and Bavarian cuisine, a fantastic selection of imported beer on tap (order Das Boot size if you dare). There's a fine selection of wine and a full liquor bar with cocktails. Try the oven roasted pork shank weekly specials, the gourmet burgers, the brats, Swabian käsespätzle pasta, the Rib-Eye Steak Au Poivre, and the best German potato salad in South Florida. After the meal, try a shot of schnapps or honey liqueur. The outdoor plaza is an ideal setting for gatherings. Call 305-774-1883. Get details online.

Tuesday, December 2 at 5pm
On Deadly Ground - Coral Gables Movie Night
You've watched enough good movies -- give a bad movie a chance at the Coral Gables Library. In this 1994 action movie, Steven Seagal plays a former government operative heading into the Alaskan wilderness to protect land sacred to the Eskimos from the rapacious dealings of an oil company executive. Call 305-442-8706 or email: capleybr@mdpls.org. Ages 18 years and older. Get details online.

Wednesday, December 3 at 10am
Make Way For Tomorrow - Silver Screen Mornings
Seniors, watch classic movies at the Coral Gables Library. Beulah Bondi and Victor Moore headline a cast of incomparable character actors. Retired married couple Barkley and Lucy struggle through the Great Depression, losing their home to foreclosure. Their five grown children have their own financial problems, and although son George (Thomas Mitchell) and daughter Nellie (Minna Gombell) can each board one of their parents, none of the children can afford to house them both. Before they are forced to split up, the couple take one last outing together as they ponder their futures. Call 305-442-8706 or capleybr@mdpls.org. Ages 18 years and older. Get details online.

Wednesday, December 3 at 2pm
Revolutionary Reads
Explore American history through literature. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) present a monthly historical book club featuring titles that reflect themes of patriotism, sacrifice and the ideals that helped shape the nation. The book of the month is First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. Set in a picturesque Southern town, the story follows Evie Porter, a young woman living a meticulously constructed facade. With a perfect boyfriend, a charming home, and a circle of affluent friends, Evie seems to have it all -- until her past catches up with her. A a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking tale of deception and redemption. Get details online.

Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm
Caroling Competition
Local high schoolers are performing Christmas carols now through December 7, with the awards show on December 9. Get details online.

Wednesday, December 3 at 9pm
Karaoke Wednesday at Taurus
The City of Miami’s longest-running liquor license belongs to The Taurus, a Coconut Grove bar institution if there ever was one. Your local hub for live comedy and sports announced a pair of upgrades in the form of Masa Craft’s Cuban and Filipino-American style food menu along with Silver Dragon’s Karaoke That Cares! You'll find the host Rob The Rum Guy there every Wednesday night tweaking the vocals from 9pm to 1am, with specials just for karaoke night that include your first shot free when you sing, plus $10 Old Fashioned, $9 Gin or Vodka Gimlet, $9 Tommy-Style Margarita, and $8 Modelo beer at 3540 Main Highway. Call 305-529-6523. Get details online.

Thursday, December 4 at 6pm
A Good Book Book Club - First Thursdays
Connect with fellow readers at the Pinecrest library or on Zoom for a lively discussion of this month's book -- Trust by Hernan Diaz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a wealthy 1920s Wall Street couple's rise to power, told through multiple competing narratives that explore truth, deception, and the influence of wealth. Call 305-668-4571 or email: booke@mdpls.org. Ages 19 years and older. Get details online.

Thursday, December 4 from 6 to 9pm
Christmas Tree Lighting at The Plaza
Meet on the lawn at The Plaza across from Ponce Circle Park for their anual Christmas Tree Lighting, a magical evening filled with holiday cheer. Shop local treasures at the Christmas Market, warm up with Coquito and Hot Cocoa, and enjoy the sounds of the season with live carolers as they light the big, beautiful Christmas tree. Get details online.

Friday, December 5 from 5 to 10pm
Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall
Join members of the Coral Gables City Commission for the lighting of the Holiday Tree at Merrick Park in front of City Hall. This event is free and open to the public. The event show will begin at 5:30 and the tree lighting will take place at 7pm. The three-hour show features carnival games, holiday craft and food vendors -- and of course, a visit from Santa to light up the tree. Get details online.

Friday, December 5 from 6 to 8pm
Nativity Festivity at First United Methodist Church
Take a joyful break from the Coral Gables Holiday Tree Lighting and swing by the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, right behind city hall. Their 4th Annual Nativity Festivity transforms the church parking area into a family-friendly celebration filled with food, music, and fun for all ages. Children can enjoy a petting zoo, crafts, and cotton candy, while grown-ups can relax with festive music and delicious grilled cheeseburgers. Don’t forget to capture memories with family photos at their life-size Nativity on the Hernando entrance. All beverages sold support the church’s Youth activities, making your visit even more meaningful. Celebrate the season with joy, community, and the spirit of Christmas at this free community event. All are welcome, and parking is free as well. Get details online.

Friday, December 5 from 6 to 10pm
Backyard Basel at the Coral Gables Museum
Miami Art Week arrives in Coral Gables with Backyard Basel, a special Art Basel inspired edition of the Museum’s signature Gallery Night. Downtown comes alive with art, music, and community featuring local artists, live sounds by Mama Fuma, and the laid back atmosphere of the VIP Collectors’ Lounge. Get details online.

Friday, December 5 from 6 to 10pm
Gables Gallery Night
Coral Gables galleries and participating art venues open their doors on the first Friday of the month as part of Coral Gables Gallery Night. At this monthly event, attendees can enjoy live music and fine art while enjoying a night out in the City Beautiful. Visitors are encouraged to use the city's trolleys or Freebee on-demand vehicles to travel between galleries. Get details online.

Friday, December 5 from 7 to 11pm
Giralda Live
Meet up with family and friends on the first Friday of the month for Giralda Live, when the pedestrian street transforms into a vibrant hub of music, culture, and community -- with live music from 8 to 10pm -- plus a variety of activities and entertainment, surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Coral Gables. Get details online.

Friday, December 5 at 10pm
Karaoke Friday at Sandbar
Sandbar Sports Grill in Coconut Grove, home of the fish taco -- where they don't run from hurricanes, they drink them. Every Friday night the club quality sound system is handed over to Rob The Rum Guy from Silver Dragon Karaoke to let your voices loose on the microphones. With 100,000 songs in 20 languages to pick through they’ve got what you want to sing. Don’t pass up on the Joey Style Wings, the 34 taps, or the Category Five Hurricanes at Sandbar, 3064 Grand Ave. Call 786-359-4510. Get details online.

Sat/Sun, December 6–7 from 8:30am to 2pm
Santa Claus on a Fire Truck
Don’t miss the most popular man of the season as Santa Claus and his helpers ride on a fire truck through the streets of Coral Gables before heading back to the North Pole. This year marks the fourteenth annual holiday tradition of Santa visiting Coral Gables residents to pass out candy canes to children. Coral Gables firefighters will transport Santa and special guests on three separate routes around the city where he will pass by as many homes as possible. Get details online.

Saturday, December 6 at 9:30am
Villagers’ 40th Annual Holiday House Tour
RSVP in advance for the 40th Annual Villagers’ Holiday House Tour -- a stroll through Coconut Grove highlighting early and contemporary private homes, as well as a collection of restored historic sites. The tour is designed to be a walking tour with all stops within a one-mile radius. Free parking and tour check-in will be at Carrollton School (3747 Main Hwy), and a complimentary shuttle will also be available. Villager members will be on hand to explain the distinctive history and features of each location. The holiday gift boutique will be located at Davis Hall on the grounds of Plymouth Congregational Church. Get details online.

Saturday, December 6 at 9:30am
Coral Gables Garden Club Ceremony at the Library
The City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Garden Club will present Planting Pollinators Sculpture Unveiling, a new public artwork sculpture by Miami artist Xavier Cortada, at the Coral Gables Library Butterfly Garden, followed by a participatory eco-art initiative co-presented with the Cortada Foundation. At 10:30am, Xavier Cortada make a presentation. Xavier Cortada is an internationally recognized Miami-based artist whose socially engaged eco-art projects address climate change, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss. He has created more than 150 public artworks, installations, and participatory projects across six continents and is the only artist to have created works at both the North and South Poles. Call the Coral Gables Library at 305-442-8706 or email: capleybr@mdpls.org. All ages are welcome. Get details online.

Saturday, December 6 at 2pm
A Christmas Carol, The Musical
Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, The Musical. The Charles Dickens classic takes a musical turn in this festive holiday favorite. Tiny Tim and the entire Cratchit family join three unearthly spirits in trying to convince Ebenezer Scrooge to change his Bah Humbug ways. This fabulous musical adaptation written especially for family audiences will warm your heart as it reveals the true meaning of the holidays. The play continues on Saturdays through December 20. Get details online.

Sunday, December 7 from 9am to 11am
Hot Chocolate with Santa
Sip Hot Chocolate with Santa and get exclusive access to the Holiday Park playground at city hall, 405 Biltmore Way. The event includes a photo opportunity with Santa, hot beverage and children's activity. Cost is $30 for a group of four. Exclusively for Coral Gables residents. Call 305-460-5600 or email: specialevents@coralgables.com. Advanced ticket registration is required to participate. Get details online.

Sunday, December 7 from 2 to 5pm
Holiday Open House at Historic Merrick House
The historic Merrick House will host its Annual Holiday Open House, a free community celebration featuring Santa, holiday carolers, gifts and games for all ages. It’s the perfect way to add a little extra joy to your season and experience the charm of one of Coral Gables’ most treasured landmarks. Get details online.

Sunday, December 7 at 3:30pm
Greater Miami Symphonic Band Festive Holiday Concert
Attend the Pinecrest Gardens Banyan Bowl performance of the Greater Miami Symphonic Band -- a festive holiday concert filled with seasonal favorites and joyful melodies. This family-friendly performance will showcase the band’s rich sound and celebrate the spirit of the season with timeless classics and holiday cheer. Get details online.

Sunday, December 7 from 6 to 10pm
Gables Centennial Grand Finale at the Venetian Pool
The city will host a centennial concert celebration at the Venetian Pool as part of the final centennial commemorations. Experience a live performance by the Miami Symphony Orchestra in the pool. Get details online.

Sunday December 7 at 7:30pm
Seraphic Fire - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Everything you love about Seraphic Fire at Christmas in a new experience: timeless carols -- The First Noel, Joy to the World, Silent Night, performed at St. Philip's Episcopal. And a reading of the famed 1823 American poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas -- better known as ’Twas the night before Christmas -- that helped shape modern Christmas traditions worldwide. Join Associate Conductor James Bass and Seraphic Fire for a program featuring audience-favorite Christmas classics, including O Come All Ye Faithful and Jesus Christ the Apple Tree. Get details online.

Monday, December 8 at 7pm
Free Holiday Concert and Dessert
Usher in the holiday season with a spirit-filled, holiday concert event at the Congregational Church. The Community Arts Program (CAP) Holiday Concert plus Dessert, features the after-school Conservatory and Miami Jazz Institute students and teaching artists within the CAP Creative Strings III ensemble and CAP Jazz Ensemble Plus. In a spirited, holiday program of original compositions, jazz standards, classical discoveries, and a grand, ol’ carol sing-along -- this is a delightful family event. A reception follows the one-hour concert -- to pass around the coffee, punch, and pumpkin and apple pie. No tickets or reservations are needed. Free and convenient parking is included. Get details online.

Saturday, December 13 at 2pm
Making Miami: The Historic Rise of the Magic City with Larry Samuel
The Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade historical society is pleased to welcome Larry Samuel for a program about local South Florida History -- Making Miami: The Historic Rise of the Magic City. This book takes a deep dive into the development of Greater Miami from the 1920s right up to today, showing that it has been real estate that has consistently driven the growth of the Magic City. A number of other important topics are addressed, including the expansion of a transportation and infrastructural network; tourism; threats to the natural ecosystem from residential, recreational, and industrial development; and issues of race, class, ethnicity, immigration, and nationality. Get details online.

Dependable Friendly Computer Service
Two Computer Guys
Since 1998, the team at Two Computer Guys has been available for safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service -- for small businesses, families, students, seniors and anyone who needs a little help with their computer. TCG solves problems to get computers up and running quickly. Be safe -- call when you need help with virus issues. Serving more than a thousand clients in South Florida over the past three decades. Call 305-444-1984 when you need a little help. Get details and schedule an appointment online.

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