slides: 12 Days of Christmas, Rhode Island-Style

12 Drummers Drumming

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, December 19

Now this is Christmas music done right! The force behind the epic Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 will perform their multi-platinum rock opera, The Lost Christmas Eve at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on December 19. While the performance will mark the live debut of The Lost Christmas Eve, the band will also play songs from their fall EP Dreams of Fireflies  as well as songs from their debut album Christmas Eve & Other Stories. 

7:30pm. The Dunkin' Donuts Center, 1 La Salle Square, Providence.

11 Pipers Piping

Rhode Island College Symphony Orchestra Concert, December 3

The Rhode Island College Symphony Orchestra will perform works by J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, and Robert Schumann in its second concert of the season. The Orchestra will be led by Dr. Edward Markward, now in his 40th year as conductor. Flutist Mary Ellen Kregler, a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and teacher of flute and music theory at the RIC, will be one of three RIC music faculty members serving as soloists in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major.

8pm. Roberts Hall Auditorium, Rhode Island College. Tickets $10, with discounts for seniors and non-RIC students. Admission free for RIC faculty, alumni, students, and staff.

10 Lords A-Leaping

Festival Ballet Presents The Nutcracker, December 14-16

Based on the story The Nutcracker and the King of Mice by E.T.A. Hoffman, Festival Ballet Providence's holiday performance is sure to be a great time for all ages. It's the story you know and love, complete with little Clara and her Nutcracker doll, life-size toy soldiers, giant mice, a handsome prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Don't miss out on the magic, with beautiful sets, elegant choreography, and of course, world class dancers. Tickets and hours here.

Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence.

9 Ladies Dancing

Wiz Khalifa at The Dunk, December 8

The "Young, Wild, & Free" rapper's 2050 Tour will stop at The Dunkin' Donuts Center on December 8 with special guests Taylor Gang, Juicy J, Chevy Woods, Lola Monroe, and Tuki Carter & Berner. The concert was originally scheduled for October 13, and these tickets will be honored for the new date. Click here for more info and tickets.

7:30pm. The Dunkin' Donuts Center, 1 La Salle Square, Providence. Photo: Quasic/flickr.

8 Maids A-Milking

Butterkase Cheese

What happens when cheese titan Narragansett Creamery and local milk go-to Rhody Fresh team up? Butterkase Cheese happens. The handcrafted Butterkase Cheese is a new variety of artisan German-style soft cheese made at Providence Specialty Products, using milk from Rhody Fresh dairy farms. Fresh and local? It doesn't get better than this, folks. Pick up Butterkase Cheese at Pawtucket's Wintertime Farmers Market, and keep an eye on Rhody Fresh's Facebook page for more locations.

7 Swans A-Swimming

Boating at Roger Williams Park

Is there a more romantic winter ride than aboard a Swan Boat at Roger Williams Park's Cunliff Lake, perhaps bundled up with a thermos of hot chocolate along for the ride? If you'd like something a little more modern, how about an electric boat? Roger Willams Park offers several ways to get out on the water, including paddle boats and kayaks. The boats are open year-round, weather permitting. Click here for more information. Photo: GoProvidenceRI.

1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence.

6 Geese A-Laying

Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market

Why should the winter months get in the way of fresh, locally grown food? The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market is open rain, snow, or shine. Choose from lettuces, apples, potatoes, squash, oysters, beef, honey, maple syrup, spices, and tons more at the Market, open Wednesdays until January and Saturdays until May. Specials for this month include wreaths and trees, broccoli, and cauliflower.

4-7pm Wednesday, 9am-1pm Saturday. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. Photo: ibm4381/flickr.

5 Gold Rings

20% off inventory at Dugan Custom Jewelers

Dugan Custom Jewelers sells and purchases beautiful diamonds upwards from 1.00 carat. This month, Dugan Custom Jewelers will offer 20% off of these Gemological Institute of America and European Gemological Lab certified diamonds from inventory. Dugan Custom Jewelers also offers jewelry repair, pearl stringing, diamond and prong replacements, and stone setting. Have an specific image or photo in mind? They'll design it for you. Don't miss out on this fantastic sale and even better service!

For more information, call (401) 277-2998. 174 Wickenden Street, Providence. Photo: Print North East/flickr.

4 Calling Birds

Tuesday Morning Bird Walks

Shake off those Monday blues at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's Tuesday Morning Bird Walks. You never know what you'll see or hear on these peaceful strolls. The Kimball naturalists will hold the walks, coordinated by Phil Budlong, through the end of January. Groups meet at 8am at the Charlestown Mini-Super on Route 1-A. Email pbudlong@cox.net for details. No advance registration required.

4071 Old Post Road, Charlestown. Photo: David Parish/Mass Audubon.

3 French Hens

Ecole de Cuisine Professional Instruction for Amateur Cooks

Providence's Pot Au Feu Restaurant will offer amateur cooks an intensive crash course in French cuisine. Students will spend the day in the Pot Au Feu kitchen, enjoy personal instruction from Chef John B. Richardson, and slice, dice, peel, julienne, sauté, flip, grate, grind, and chop their way through a 5-course meal. For the final exam, each student will invite three guests. The guests will judge the efforts of the class, who then await the judges' decision as to whether they will be awarded the coveted Ecole de Cuisine Diploma.

Next class is on Sunday, January 15. Call (401) 273-8953 for class registration.

2 Turtle Doves

Romance by the Sea at The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina

Take your loved one on a romantic getaway with the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina's Romance by the Sea package. Champagne and chocolates will be delivered to your overnight accommodations, which boast beautiful harbor views. Enjoy an indoor or outdoor waterfront dinner for two at Pier 49 Seafood and Spirits as well as breakfast the next morning. Also included with the package are two attraction vouchers for use at some of Newport's most fun and romantic spots.

49 America's Cup Avenue, Newport. Prices $173-$233. Offer valid through December 31.

Partridge In a Pear Tree

Wildlife Wreath Making, December 12

Join the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and make a winter wreath that will not only make for a fun holiday decoration, but a snack for birds and other wildlife. Use wire or straw wreath bases and add greens, dried flowers, seed heads, leaves, fruit, and nuts to entice your feathered friends to visit. These items also dry nicely if you would rather keep the wreath solely for decoration.

6:30-8:30 pm. Powder Mills Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield. $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Photo: Rich B-S/flickr.