Four Holiday Events to Enjoy Around Vero Beach

Jungle Lights

For the 19th year, McKee Botanical Garden (350 U.S. Hwy. 1) will be illuminated for the holiday season, and this year’s Jungle Lights will be bigger and better than ever. Inspired by the plant explorers of a century ago, the garden will take visitors to six Amazon regions, where rainforest sights and sounds will blend with Christmas magic. There will be lots to see and enjoy for all ages. Jungle Lights will run December 3–30, plus January 2 and 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission fees are $20 for adults and $15 for children, veterans, and active military members. For more information, get in touch with McKee at 772-794-0601 or mckeegarden.org.

Nutcracker on the Indian River

Ballet Vero Beach presents its beloved local version of The Nutcracker, which takes heroine Marie on a journey from New York City to the shores of the Indian River Lagoon in 1919, the year the City of Vero was founded. The candy characters of the second act are replaced with the flora and fauna of our area. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. December 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. Saturday, December 13. Tickets range from $10 to $90. For the Accessible/Family Friendly version, guests can choose between Act 1 (December 13 at 7 p.m.) and Act II (December 14 at noon). Tickets are $10. All performances will take place at Riverside Theatre. For tickets or information, call the Riverside box office at 772-231-6990 or see balletverobeach.org or riversidetheatre.com.

Holidays at the Museum

The whole family will enjoy a special day at Vero Beach Museum of Art on Saturday, December 13. Admission will be free, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the museum will celebrate the season with music and dance performances, food trucks, docent-led tours, art hunts, and art-making activities led by VBMA instructors and local art teachers. There is no need to preregister. For more information, check out vbmuseum.org or call 772-231-0707.

Messiah

For more than half a century, First Baptist Church (2206 16th Ave.) has been presenting George Frideric Handel’s beloved Messiah, the world’s most famous oratorio, at Christmastime. December 20 and 21, under the baton of musical director Michael Carter, Treasure Coast Chorale will once again undertake this inspiring performance. The concerts will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. TCC’s contact information is as follows: 772-231-3498, treasurecoastchorale.com.