Holiday fun in Canton
Canton’s First Friday has a “shop local for the holidays” theme this month, with specials in the many galleries and stores in the downtown area from 6 to 10 p.m. On top of that, the Canton Palace Theatre will offer a free showing of The Polar Express at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 and it’s free, so get there early to make sure you have a seat for the holiday favorite on the big screen. cantonartsdistrict.com.
See ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ in Barberton
Magical Theatre Company opens its production of A Charlie Brown Christmas at 7:30 p.m., based on the beloved TV special. It runs through Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and/or 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, depending on the date; and 2 and 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $16 and $18 for opening night, $14-$16 for all other shows. Reserve online at www.magicaltheatre.org or call 330-848-3708. Magical Theatre Company is at the Park Theatre at 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave. in Barberton.
Prepare to do some shopping at E.J. Thomas
One of the area’s biggest holiday arts and crafts shows, with more than 110 vendors, opens at E.J. Thomas Hall at the University of Akron. Hours are from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4. Admission is $5; $4.50 for seniors; free for children 12 and younger. (Psst: There are discount coupons in the Beacon Journal.) www.raabenterprises.com/Blank.html.