Not quite ready to hear the “ho ho ho!” from Santa or reindeer paws on the roof? No worries. There are plenty of events planned in the Rhinelander area that will infuse the holiday spirit into the Grinchiest of Grinches in the Northwoods.

Northwoods United Way to host ‘Flannel and Fizz’ holiday event
Northwoods United Way is kicking off the holidays with an annual fundraising event. Flannel and Fizz will take place Saturday, Dec. 9 at CT’s Deli in downtown Rhinelander from 5-8 p.m.

Guests are invited to wear their fanciest flannel shirts and be in a photo of the largest group of flannel-wearers in Oneida County this year.

“We’re excited to bring you another distinctive event here in the Northwoods,” said Northwoods United Way Executive Director Nancy Sattler. “There will be plenty of food….nobody will leave hungry!”

A $50 ticket entitles attendees to a full buffet of amazing food, pictures with Santa and a scavenger hunt, the opportunity to participate in 50/50 raffles and bid on silent auction items. And don’t forget to vist the Fizz Bar featuring an exclusive holiday mimosa.

A limited number of tickets is available; in addition to single tickets, a table of 10 may be purchased for $450.
“In the past several local businesses bought tables and hosted their employees for a holiday gathering,” Sattler said. “We think it’s a great way to kick off the season.”

Contact Sattler for tickets, 715-202-3344.

The Northwoods United Way is a non-profit organization that raises money to support social service agencies in Oneida, Vilas, Forest and Price counties, currently assisting 26 agencies including ArtStart, FORK, Warm the Children, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Campfire, Hodag BMX, Lac du Flambeau Domestic Abuse Program, NAMI Northern Lakes and Northwoods Childrens Museum. For more information, visit northwoodsunitedway.org.

Get in the holiday spirit with the community band
Members of the Rhinelander Area Community Band would like to give a Christmas gift to the Northwoods: a free concert of holiday music Saturday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. The event will be held at Pine Grove Community Church, 1360 North Stevens Street, Rhinelander.
Many familiar carols will be included in the program, as well as other holiday favorites. Playing a Christmas concert has become an annual tradition for the all-volunteer band, which is under the direction of Marilyn Pekol.

Holidays with the Legends Dec. 5
Join The Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce for Holidays with the Legends. A photographer will take photos outside with Santa and the Hodag statue at the same time. Have a sweet treat, some hot cocoa and a visit with Santa 3-6 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Rhinelander Chamber, located at 450 W. Kemp St., Rhinelander. Photos will be emailed the following week. Sponsors for the event are Ripco Credit Union, Rhinelander Chamber Ambassadors, Rhinelander Santa and Heather Collins Photography.

Rhinelander Historical Society Holiday Open House
The Rhinelander Historical Society annual Holiday Open House will be Saturday, Dec. 2. The event is free and open to the public. The Holiday Open House will be held from noon – 4 p.m. at the museum, located at 9 S. Pelham St., between the Courthouse and McDonald’s.
Visitors can tour the museum and enjoy holiday music and treats.
Holiday music performances begin at noon with the Northwoods Choraliers; 1 p.m. will feature pianist Darlene Cole; at 2 p.m. the Rhinelander Male Chorus will perform and at 3 p.m., Tom Nelson, with vocalists Diane Mueller and Theresa Seabloom will entertain.
The house will be festively decorated for Christmas and a sleigh will be placed in the front yard for family photos.

Railroad Museum Open House
Join the Rhinelander Railroad Association and Pioneer Park Historical Complex for its annual Christmas Open House. The event will be held three dates over two weekends, Dec.1 4-8 p.m.; Dec. 2. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bring the family for some railroad Christmas fun. The Old Soo Depot will be decorated for the holidays, plus additional model railroad displays, cookies, cocoa, horse drawn sleigh/wagon rides, speeder rides and visits with Santa. Free admittance, donations appreciated. The Depot is located within the Pioneer Park Historical Complex on Martin Lynch Drive.

Winter concert
The Campanile Center in Minocqua is the venue for a holiday concert featuring the Lakeland Community Band the Campanile Chorus. The concert is Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. Donations will be accepted at the door.

The Night Before Christmas
A potpourri of holiday carols and sayings of the season will be performed Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Presque Isle Community Center. Highlights of this free community performance include “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The production features Grant Birmingham as the Grinch, Marty Watkins as Lucy, Darrell Smith as Charlie Brown and Tom Erickson as Linus. Also on stage are Babs Bolduc,  Nancy Hajt, Kath Wilson, Cyndi Radant, and Helyn Woolf and Susie Gawrilik. Dage Edgecomb is the pianst.
All are welcome and photos can be taken next to the Hogwarts Express which recently rolled its way in from the World of Wizardry in Ironwood. No reservations; first come, first seated. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar and complimentary coffee and cookies afterward. For more information, call 715-904-9063.