The 12 Days of Christmas: Day 2 … Monticello $5 admission, ‘White Christmas,’ Shakespeare, Nutcracker

By Lynn R. Mitchell

1) Monticello at Christmas

Experience the Colonial Virginia celebration of the holiday season at the home of Thomas Jefferson, open today from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with 1987 admission prices of $5.00. That’s a big savings over the usual $18 for adults and $8 for children. Children younger than 6 are free.

Monticello is celebrating the 26th anniversary of the home’s addition to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List so the general price of admission has been rolled back to 1987 when it was added to the UNESCO list. That same year the University of Virginia, the Great Wall of China, and the Acropolis in Athens were added. Monticello has the distinction of being the only U.S. presidential and private home on the UNESCO list.

Bundle up and stroll the grounds where Jefferson walked and experience the history of colonial Virginia. The leaves are off the trees, the views go on for miles, and winter shows a different time of year to experience how life was in the 1800s. Make memories this year at Monticello.

2) White Christmas — 60th Anniversary screening Sunday, December 14, at 2:00pm

Irving Berlin’s classic 1954 movie White Christmas will have one showing only on Sunday at the Visualite Theater in historic downtown Staunton. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., join Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen for a musical treat to celebrate the movie’s 60th anniversary. The Visualite Theater is located as 12 N. Augusta Street, Staunton, Va. 24401. Phone: 540.885-9966.

3) Blackfriars Theater presents “A Christmas Carol”

Christmas is in the air at Blackfriars Theater in downtown Staunton with three Christmas plays offered throughout the month of December. The classic “A Christmas Carol” will show on Sunday, December 14, at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. You may also want to see “The Santaland Diaries” at 5:00 p.m. Not showing on Sunday but on other dates is “The Twelve Dates of Christmas.” Check the Blackfriars website for complete details about dates and times. The theater is located at 10 S. New Street, Staunton.

4) The Nutcracker

A Staunton tradition for more than two decades, Shenandoah Civic Dance Company offers its annual presentation of “The Nutcracker” with more than 100 children from the Staunton area dancing to the classic two-act play with the unforgettable music composed by Tchaikovsky. 2:00 p.m. Cost is $10 for children, $12 for adults. The performance will take place in the Robert E. Lee High School Auditorium, 1200 N. Coalter Street, Staunton. 540.886-9355. Tickets available at the door.