Image courtesy of the City of Albuquerque

Mandalas are a centuries-old symbol in Buddhism and Hinduism that have come to be used in many other cultures’ practices throughout the years. The Albuquerque Open Space hosts an annual winter solstice seed mandala making event to usher in the winter and give thanks for the harvest (the seeds also serve as food for birds migrating south for the season). Participants help design and build the mandala, which last for about a week in the open. This year, the event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 10:30am to noon. Come with an open mind and dress for the winter weather. This event is free and open to all ages.

Image courtesy of Finding Neverland the Musical

There are stories, and then there are stories of the stories behind those stories. Because, science. The popular Broadway stage musical, Finding Neverland, launching at Popejoy Hall on Dec. 13 at 7:30pm, recounts playwright J.M. Barrie’s invention of Peter Pan. Basically, he fell for a hot widow, then stole her four kids’ imaginary friend, Peter, and got famous. While exploiting child labor might seem unkind now, in jolly Dickensian London that shit was just called “work,” okay? Too young to remember Peter Pan? Dig: Skinny elfen dude, green tights refuses to grow up, flies around, befriends kids who forget about him as adults. Sadder than you realized, really. Thank God for peppy showtunes. All ages welcome, tickets range from $43 to $83. Check popejoypresents.com for more deets. Additional shows Dec. 14 to 16.

Image courtesy of visitalbuquerque.org

That's right fellow kids, yule time is upon the face of the northern hemisphere again and more than anything, a sublime sesh with twinkly, multi-colored and otherwise sculpturally presented holiday lights is just the ticket to transcendence that remains so elusive during the otherwise dark and gloomy winter months that are upcoming and guaranteed not to be bright. An Albuquerque tradition, this sparkling spectacular, The River of Lights happens at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden from Nov. 24 through Dec. 30. The lights blink on at 6pm daily but fizzle out about 9:30pm, so get there early, home-piece. The whole deal is closed on Dec. 24 and 25—hey if you wanna see lights on those nights, give me a buzz and we'll look into it!—but the price is right if you are looking for marvelous holiday enchantment any other time during the 2108 holiday season. For true light loving visitors, the Polar Express, a small train, is available to take riders out to meet Santa himself. Admission to the largest walk through festive lighting display in the state starts at $6 for children 3 through 12 years old. Adult admission begins at $12 and babies under 3 are free. A ride on the Polar Express is extra. Please inquire at the Botanic Garden, knowing that meeting the jolly old elf is well worth the extra feria.