Holiday Arts & Culture Night

Presented by Ball State’s Integrated Cultural Committee, the free festive event shines the holiday spotlight on many arts and culture spots along the campus Cultural Corridor.

Enjoy activities, live performances, and demonstrations at the David Owsley Museum of Art, Emens Auditorium, Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Sursa Performance Hall, the Nature Center, Christy Woods, the Glick Center for Glass, and the Charles W. Brown Planetarium!

Visit the Holiday Hub, located on the second floor of the Fine Arts building (please use Riverside Avenue entrance) to learn more about the Integrated Cultural Committee, The Rinker Center, University Libraries, and more!

The first 10 people who visit the Holiday Hub will receive a free ticket to an upcoming Emens Auditorium performance of “The Nutcracker!”

And, as you make your way along the Cultural Corridor, you’ll hear carillonneur John Gouwens perform songs of the season (beginning at 8 p.m.) from the Shafer Bell Tower.

Free shuttles (running continuously on a loop from the Glick Center and DOMA) will take visitors to and from Minnetrista’s Enchanted Luminaria Walk. The free Minnetrista event includes three miles of enchanting lights, sweet treats, food, live music, live theater, winter crafts, a barrel train for kids, a Holiday Artisan Market, and more.

While you are there, be sure to stop by the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center for the Holiday Open House from 5 to 9 p.m., where you can see the beautifully-decorated home, listen to live music, and watch demonstrations by local artisans. The Holiday Open House and the Luminaria Walk are also happening on Friday (5-9 p.m.).

Locations and event information for the Holiday Arts & Culture Night:

Many people mill around on the white marble floor of the museum lobby while a woman in a red dress sings at a piano and people do crafts off to the sides.

CHARLES W. BROWN PLANETARIUM
Holiday Programs and Science Activity
The Planetarium will offer showings of “The Christmas Star” at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Come early for seats and to enjoy a holiday themed science activity.

FSEEC
Holiday in Bloom
The BSU Field Station and Environmental Education Center will be open for our annual evening program, Holiday in Bloom. 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. Live performances by a cappela and other groups will happen throughout the evening.

GLICK CENTER FOR GLASS
Holiday Glass Sale & Demonstrations
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 each hour during the event.

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

SURSA PERFORMANCE HALL
Trombone Studio
Enjoy the Ball State Trombone Studio at 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful hall.

EMENS AUDITORIUM
“The Nutcracker”
Bring the whole family on a wild, whimsical ride through the heart of childhood dreams as this classic holiday tale returns to the stage as you’ve never seen it before. Tickets required and available at the Emens Box Office.

Light Up Muncie

Save the date! LIGHT UP MUNCIE on Thursday, December 4, 2025!

Enjoy festive performances and food trucks, shop at the Holiday Makers Market, and witness the magical lighting of the animated community tree at Canan Commons.

NEW this year, Lighted Parade and kids fun zone! Bring your family and friends for a magical night in Downtown!

Want to be in the PARADE?: Sign-up sheet and info

Faculty Artist Series: Anna Vayman (violin) with Michael Seregow (piano)

The Faculty Artist Series features School of Music faculty sharing their talent and passion for music with the campus and community.

Anna Vayman is associate professor of violin at Ball State University and a member of American Piano Trio. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Anna Vayman made her solo debut at the age of eleven with Omsk Symphony Orchestra in Russia. Since then she has been a soloist with various major orchestras. Highlights of her career include solo performances under the baton of leading conductors such as Valery Gergiev, Yury Temirkanov, and Gianandrea Noseda. An active recitalist and chamber musician, Ms. Vayman has appeared on numerous international music festivals including International Music Festival in Lucca, Italy; Musical Spring Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia; Mikkele International Music Festival in Finland; Red Sea International Music Festival in Israel; and Rotterdam Philharmonic Festival, Netherlands.

Pianist Michael Seregow leads a vibrant and diverse career that brings music to life in a variety of forms. As an acclaimed soloist, chamber musician, dedicated educator, and recording artist, his journey has taken him to cities and stages across the United States, Latin America, and Europe.

This recital is free and open to the public.

Parking is available in the McKinley Parking Garage (entrance on Ashland Avenue) located immediately south of Sursa Hall. Metered parking is available on the first floor of the garage until 7 p.m. at which time parking is free.

This recital will also be offered as a livestream.

Ellen Lupton – Falling in Love with Typography

llen Lupton is a designer, writer, and educator. The all-new edition of her bestselling book Thinking with Type launched in March 2024. Other books include Design Is Storytelling, Graphic Design Thinking, Health Design Thinking, and Extra Bold. She teaches in the Graphic Design MFA program at MICA. She is a curator emerita at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where her projects include “Design Beyond Vision” and “Design and Healing: Creative Responses to Epidemics.” She is an AIGA Gold Medalist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Her Type Mom persona on Instagram (@EllenLupton) has over 195K followers.

Boo-levard Bash

Hosted by Minnetrista Museum and Gardens, children can collect treats from the Ball family homes and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. Explore extra trick-or-treat stations along the wooded path of Oakhurst Gardens, where you’ll also find games and activities for the whole family. For an added touch of fun, you can enjoy glitter tattoos, tasty food, and festive seasonal items from The Orchard Shop, available for purchase. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged!

Be sure to stop by the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center to receive treats from “The Good Witches of Nebosham!”

Eerie Muncie: Even More Tales from the Dark Side of Local History

No Charge—Reservations Required
No Charge—Reservations Required REGISTER ONLINE (under “History”)”>REGISTER ONLINE (under “History”)

Join us for a panel discussion on some of the eerie happenings and hauntings in Muncie and Delaware County history. Now in its sixth year, this program features panelists who present new and intriguing information each time.

You’ll see historic photographs, maps, newspaper articles, and hear ghost stories from Muncie’s past. Refreshments will be served after the program.

    Panelists:

  • Melissa Gentry, Supervisor, Map Collection, Ball State University Libraries
  • Sara McKinley, Carnegie Library Manager and the Archivist for Muncie Public Library
  • Susan Smith, Archivist, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
  • Karen Vincent, Executive Director, Delaware County Historical Society and Delaware County Historian