This holiday season will most definitely be a crazy one, with shipping delays, social distancing, and supply chain issues making all of us want a little more eggnog in 2021. Don’t let the pandemic get you down this year! Thankfully, nonprofits across Memphis are offering ways that will keep you and your family from becoming Scrooges. The three organizations featured below have opportunities to engage your family in holiday fun while you support their important causes. Nonprofits have struggled through the pandemic, and your support is vitally needed to continue these organization’s services, as well as others. Go have a good time and support great causes with these three upcoming holiday events.

Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees

Benefiting: LeBonheur Children’s Hospital
Location: Memphis Museum of Science and History (at the
Pink Palace)
Dates: November 20 – December 31
Remember the Enchanted Forest when it was a mainstay at the downtown Goldsmith’s decades ago? The tradition carries on at the Memphis Museum of Science and History at the Pink Palace. A section of the museum becomes a winter wonderland, and the mezzanine of the museum is decorated with beautifully decorated trees. At the end, Santa is waiting to hear your family’s Christmas wishes, and he’ll even pose for photos. Each tree is sponsored by area businesses or individuals, and proceeds benefit LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. The Memphis Museum of Science and History will also be featuring several holiday-themed movies, and their gift shop is a great way to avoid the department-store crowds.

Christmas Lights Extravaganza

Benefiting: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Memphis, Inc.
Location: The display is located at 6571 Swarthmore Dr. in Memphis at the intersection of Swarthmore Dr. and Sulgrave Dr.
Dates: November 28 – January 3
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Memphis donor Caroline Winters got creative in her support of the organization. This year, she is using a brilliant holiday lights display in her front yard as a way to raise funds for one of her favorite charities. The best part is that this Christmas light drive-by event is COVID-safe and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own car. This light display will be a sight to behold, featuring thirty-eight hand painted wooden cutouts of your favorite cartoon characters and more than 20,000 lights.This is a free event, but donations will be accepted and appreciated.

Christmas Fiesta!

Benefiting: Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group and Opera Memphis
Location: Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Date: December 18 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group and Opera Memphis have partnered to present a Christmas Fiesta at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. The community is invited to come enjoy the holiday traditions of Latin American and the Caribbean. You can learn all about the Puerto Rican music tradition of parrandas as well as other traditions involving posadas, piñatas, and more. Participants will also enjoy traditional Christmas music in Spanish. You can even make a poinsettia or a small piñata. And the best part? The Latin food! This event is great for the whole family.

Kevin Dean is CEO of the Momentum Nonprofit Partners. He received his Ed.D
in Organizational Learning and Leadership from Vanderbilt University in 2021.