Holiday Adventures

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Braden Dennis

The drive-through Finely River Park Christmas Lights Of Ozark is available through December.

Since COVID-19 has shut down many holiday events, finding a way to spend the winter days may seem difficult, but there are options.

Winter Events

Nixa Parks and Recreation has a few classes available at the X-Center for this winter. Up until Dec. 24, indoor individual and couple dance classes are available. Individual classes are $60 per person, where couple dance classes are $100.
The spring sports and events are still being finalized. The sports, such as basketball, flag football, spring soccer and volleyball are still in the budgeting stage. The sports are planned to start up in March of 2021. In the past, there has been a father-daughter dance that has taken place on Feb. 8. It is also in the planning process. Prices range around $25 for members and $30 for nonmember Nixa residents.
“We’re just kind of evaluating and taking directions from the city and the governor, so it just sort of depends on what they decide on what we do,” Katie Buford the assistant director of Nixa Parks and Recreation said.
The X-Center and parks are open to the public for everyone daily. There are a few restrictions for safety purposes. Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged. Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, the spring sports listed above are still a little up in the air.
In Springfield on Christmas Day, there is free ice skating at Jordan Valley Ice Park from 5-6 p.m.

Gaming

Questledge is a virtual reality arcade located at 107 S. Main St. in Nixa. A two-player game called Christmas is available through the month of December, which costs $66 per hour. During the holiday season, the players have to save Christmas by questing to the North Pole and lighting the biggest Christmas tree to lead Santa home. There are also more than 15 other VR games available, starting at $34 an hour and increasing in price from there.

Lights

There are two locations nearby for the sparkling lights of the holiday season.
There is a light show people can walk through for free in Springfield at Jordan Valley Park. The various lights are programmed to go along with the music as visitors walk through the display. The event is outdoors and free for anyone to enjoy. It is available until Dec. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In Ozark, there is a free drive through: The Finely River Park Christmas Lights Of Ozark. It is available until Dec. 30. From Sunday to Thursday it is open from 5 p.m.to 10 p.m., and through Friday and Saturday it is open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The light show and park is free to the public, but the city of Ozark does appreciate donations.