Events on December 7, 2024

"One World, One Sky" is a brilliant program that follows Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a new friend from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. They will also find shapes in the sky that will help them find the North Star. This cross-cultural adventure opens children's eyes to the sky, helping them see how people all over the world are connected.
Best suited for families and groups with pre-K through 1st grade learners, all ages are welcome.

Plan Your Visit to the Planetarium

Over the years many people have tried to explain the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, as described in the Bible. Can the star be explained as an exploding star, a comet, or some other natural event in the sky? Potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and common modern-day misconceptions will be discussed.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.

Plan Your Visit to the Planetarium

Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Minnetrista. Enjoy three miles of enchanting lights, sweet treats, food, live music, live theater, winter crafts, a barrel train for kids, our popular Holiday Artisan Market, and more. Embrace the sounds and spirit of the winter holidays at this FREE community event.

Ball State’s Integrated Cultural Committee will kick-off the holiday season on Saturday, December 7th with events, holiday productions, demos, a Luminaria Walk, and more. A Ball State shuttle will travel between campus and Minnetrista throughout the night, with stops near the Glick Glass Center and the Minnetrista Orchard Shop lot (on St. Joseph Street). 

Please note that each venue may have different hours throughout the evening. Holiday Arts & Culture Night campus events and activities include: 

Charles W. Brown Planetarium

Holiday Programs and Science Activity

Saturday, Dec. 7 | Big Bird's Adventure at 3:30pm & The Christmas Star at 5pm & 6:30pm

The Brown Planetarium offers a showing of the family favorite program where Big Bird and Elmo explore the Moon as well as two showings of their popular Christmas Star program. Come early for seats and to enjoy a holiday themed science activity.

Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, School of Art

Holiday Glass Sale & Demonstrations | 4pm-8pm

Glick Center for Glass joins the holiday festivities with an Open House, offering a glass arts sale by the BSU Glass Alliance and live glass working demonstrations throughout the evening.

FSEEC

Holiday in Bloom | 6-9pm

The BSU Field Station and Environmental Education Center will be open for our annual evening program, Holiday in Bloom, on December 7th from 6-9pm. Visitors can tour the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, decked out for the holidays; create nature-inspired ornaments in the Nature Lab; and explore Christy Woods along our Luminaria Trail. Listen Closely, BSU’s all-female a capella group, will be performing (tentative) throughout the evening.

David Owsley Museum of Art

Holiday Community Open House | 6-8pm

DOMA joins in the annual community holiday festivities with refreshments, children’s art activities, and live holiday music.

Holiday performance by the University Singers | 7pm 

Rinker Center

Global Holiday Booths | 5-9pm | 1st Floor Riverside Entrance Lobby of the Fine Arts Building

The Rinker Center Global Holiday Booths invite you to celebrate the season with hands-on origami and coloring crafts while exploring educational displays on holiday traditions from around the world. Join us to discover unique cultural celebrations and make a festive keepsake! There will be booths from The Rinker Center, University Libraries, and the Integrated Cultural Committee. There will also be ticket giveaways for a basketball game and for Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at Emens Auditorium!

School of Music

Carillonneur John Gouwens will play songs of the season from the Bell Tower for the whole campus to hear! | 8pm

Meridian Health Services and presenting sponsor, American Electric Power Foundation, are pleased to invite the community to Holidays at Gresham, a FREE drive-thru light exhibit with over one million lights on display! 

These holiday spirit-filled weekends are Meridian’s gift to the community. Beginning the first weekend in December, the Suzanne Gresham Center – located at 3620 W. White River Boulevard, Muncie – will host as many cars full of families as it can allow from 6–9 pm each Friday through Sunday. 

Holidays at Gresham is Meridian Health Services’ annual holiday fundraising event. While donations are not required, they are greatly appreciated and critical in supporting our Children Services programs. Donors at our Giving Tuesday FIRST LOOK on December 3rd, will receive a special gift, while supplies last. Additionally, those who donate the first three weekends in December will be entered to win a $100 gift card each weekend.   

Learn more about Holidays at Gresham at https://holidays.meridianhs.org/

Over the years many people have tried to explain the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, as described in the Bible. Can the star be explained as an exploding star, a comet, or some other natural event in the sky? Potential natural explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and common modern-day misconceptions will be discussed.
Suitable for all ages 10+, all ages are welcome.

Plan Your Visit to the Planetarium

1 TO 4 (+, -) investigates contemporary dance styles of 2 curious choreographers seeking 1 unified perspective on human connection - is ONE the loneliest number?

A special Carillon Concert by John Gouwens will be presented at 8 p.m. at the Ball State Bell Tower. Enjoy a program of Advent and Christmas favorites, including cherished hymns like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Silent Night, plus lively carols like Carol of the Bells and Deck the Hall. This enchanting performance will showcase the rich, timeless sounds of the carillon, making it a must-see (and hear!) experience.