By Andi Bedsworth

Get ready for a busy weekend as galleries and groups are throwing parties, receptions and fundraisers galore to kick off the Christmas season. Starting tomorrow night, Dec. 1, you can attend the Holiday Market at the Powerhouse which will open at 1 p.m. to shop for handcrafted gifts and holiday happiness. There will be a reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the market will close at 7 p.m. but will reopen on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be lots to do at the market including a children’s art activity from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Children will be making ornaments for free. A family sing along with hot chocolate and cookies led by Damien Walsh will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. and carols and cocktails will be served from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The market will also be open on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Also on Friday night, Water Valley will be greeting guests in style as Bozarts Gallery and the Living Room gallery will both be hosting opening receptions that evening. The Living Room Gallery will show an all women group show, featuring a range of mediums including painting, photography and mixed media. Nine artists from all over the US and Canada will come together to show in Water Valley. It is sure to have a little something for everyone. Artists include Kate Roebuck, Dani Schafer, Danielle Krysa of The Jealous Curator, Amy C. Evans, Katie Brennan, Ashleigh Coleman, Natalie Hamm, Heather Sundquist, and Meredith C. Bullock. The show will run until Jan. 13. The gallery is located at 112 Main Street in Water Valley. Bozarts Gallery at 403 Main Street will host its annual Holiday Miniatures Exhibition which will feature music by Wendy Garrison and her mean slide guitar, fabulous work by many local artists including some amazing dioramas from Lee Harper. This is a great time to shop for unique holiday gifts and sample German Gluhwein. Both receptions will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.

On Saturday, attend Santa’s Workshop at the University Museum. It is a free drop-in workshop in which families will start at the UM Museum to create seasonal art, eat holiday snacks, and visit the Ford Center’s Holiday Village. The Flying Tuks will be flying between the two sites from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. to add to the magic. This year, Santa’s Workshop is going global as we explore winter holiday traditions around the world. All ages are welcome to participate and pre-registration is not required. There will be a special winter wonderland area just for children ages 0-2 as well.

Ron Dale and Jere Allen have open houses this day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dale’s studio is located at 44 CR 411 and Allen’s can be found at 130 Alderson Road.

On Sunday if the children aren’t too pooped out from all the fun on Saturday, swing over to Cedar Oaks Historic Home at 604 Murray Avenue for their annual Cookiepalooza. There will music, crafts, cookies and a photo booth from 3 to 5 p.m. Happy holidays!