Join District Councilor Latoya Allen at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, on the corner of Salina and Colvin for the Sankofa Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Step inside Beauchamp Branch Library prior to event for special festivities.

The Southside TNT meeting will be held virtually at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6.

Syracuse Joined Artists, Musicians and Singers (JAMS) will host live musical entertainment on Wednesday evenings during the month of December at Salt City Market. These performances are sponsored in part by a small grant from CNY Arts. On Dec. 8, Grupo Pagan will perform.

Who Want Smoke will lead a cooking class Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Salt City Market teaching kitchen. The menu will include: Sweet tea, homemade baked mac & cheese, oven roasted chicken, fried cabbage and a mini Charcuterie board (including a meat flower). Each participant will leave with a dinner that feeds 4 to 6 individuals and a mini Charcuterie board. 

This in-person and virtual Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Community Folk Art Center or over Zoom. The event will feature performances by Adanfo Ensemble (African drum and dance), Dr. Joan Hillsman, vocalist Sonia Hudgins, poet Kayla Skipper and dancer Habibitou Traore.

The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs will offer Holiday Hayrides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at Burnet Park. The horse-drawn wagon rides through an illuminated Burnet Park will conclude with a visit with Santa. Rides are $2 per person. Online pre-registration is required and opens starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Syracuse.recdesk.com

The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs will offer Holiday Hayrides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at Burnet Park. The horse-drawn wagon rides through an illuminated Burnet Park will conclude with a visit with Santa. Rides are $2 per person. Online pre-registration is required and opens starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Syracuse.recdesk.com

Seatings begin at 9, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 12 and 19. Tickets include admission to tour the Syracuse Zoo. Cost is $21.95 adults and $9.95 youth aged 3-12 for Zoo members; non-member tickets are $24.95 adults and $12.95 youth. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available at www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/brunch-with-santa.

More than 30 Black- and Brown-owned businesses will be present at the final Shop Small Sunday event of the year held at Salt City Market. Vendors will feature everything from home décor and art to skin and beauty care.

The Syracuse Opera will present "The Ballad of The Brown King" by Harlem Renaissance composer Margaret Bonds and writer Langston Hughes Dec. 12. The work tells the story of King Balthazar of the Magi. It first premiered in 1954. Bonds later orchestrated it, dedicating the work to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a 1960 performance. The Syracuse Opera Chorus will be joined by guest soloists Kearstin Piper Brown, Danan Tsan and Jeremiah Abiah. Artistic director and conductor Maestro Christian Capocaccia leads the performers and Dr. Theresa Chen of Syracuse University Setnor School of Music will serve as guest pianist. Additional performers include a number of local artists: Marcia Hagan, Ava Yancy, Sonya Sayles-Hines, Sandra Dee Miller, Gloria Graham, Mary Carroll, Natalie Roane, Danielle Mitchell, Michael Jones, Eric Dixson, Patricia Price and Jack Manno.

The performance is free and open to the public. Reservations may be made through syracuseopera.com and are required. Proof of double COVID vaccination is also required to attend.

Syracuse Joined Artists, Musicians and Singers (JAMS) will host live musical entertainment on Wednesday evenings during the month of December at Salt City Market. These performances are sponsored in part by a small grant from CNY Arts. On Dec. 15, Carter & Brooks will perform.

This season will be the first time KeyBank has lighted the trees surrounding its building to honor unity in the community. At 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, a candlelight vigil presented by Chino & Evelyn Ingram for the upcoming venue, The Castle, will be held. The event has been coordinated by volunteers of the Concern Citizens Action Program to bring together the community for a special night of Unity. All are welcome and refreshments will be served.

The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs will offer Holiday Hayrides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at Burnet Park. The horse-drawn wagon rides through an illuminated Burnet Park will conclude with a visit with Santa. Rides are $2 per person. Online pre-registration is required and opens starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Syracuse.recdesk.com

The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs will offer Holiday Hayrides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at Burnet Park. The horse-drawn wagon rides through an illuminated Burnet Park will conclude with a visit with Santa. Rides are $2 per person. Online pre-registration is required and opens starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Syracuse.recdesk.com

Seatings begin at 9, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. Tickets include admission to tour the Syracuse Zoo. Cost is $21.95 adults and $9.95 youth aged 3-12 for Zoo members; non-member tickets are $24.95 adults and $12.95 youth. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available at www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/brunch-with-santa.

This annual holiday family celebration food bag distribution is organized by members of the Southside Food Pantry, NAN-SYR, The Greater Syracuse Southside Neighborhood Association and support from Assembly member Pamela Hunter.

Syracuse Joined Artists, Musicians and Singers (JAMS) will host live musical entertainment on Wednesday evenings during the month of December at Salt City Market. These performances are sponsored in part by a small grant from CNY Arts. On Dec. 29, Sam Wynn and Mike Serafim will perform.