The 9th annual Utah Human Race will be held on Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 27). The race route is certified by USA Track & Field, and begins and ends at the Draper Spectrum at 12101 South State Street. The 10K race begins at 7:30 a.m.; while the 5K race begins at 8 a.m. Registration fees are $20 for the 5K race and $25 for the 10K race. For groups of five or more, there is a $5 discount per person. Proceeds benefit the Utah Food Bank. Registration closes on Nov. 24 at noon. There is no same-day registration. To register, visit www.UtahHumanRace.org.  

Draper City will kick off the holiday season by lighting up Draper Park, 12500 South 1300 East on Monday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Children can visit with Father Christmas and other guests. There will be musical performances, haystack rides and refreshments.

Santa Claus will be visiting the Sorensen Home Museum, 12597 South 900 East, on Dec. 6 and again on Dec. 13. Santa will be available from noon to 3 p.m. both Saturdays to hear children’s Christmas wishes, to give them a treat, and to pose for photos.

Visits with Santa are free. A photographer will be on hand to take a 5 x 7 photo, hard copies of which cost $10 per pose, or people can choose to purchase a jpeg file of the photo for $10. Both the jpeg and the 5 x 7 photo hard copy together cost $15.  (This is the Sorensen Home’s only fundraiser.)

No appointments are necessary and there will be a craft for children to make while they’re waiting their turn to see Santa. If you pay for a picture, you can also take your own photos from the event. However, personal photos are not allowed if you don’t purchase the professional photo. Also, the museum does not accept credit cards, so go prepared with cash or checks.

The Nutcracker

The Utah Artists School of Ballet presents The Children’s Nutcracker Ballet on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Juan Diego Catholic High School, 11800 South 300 East.

The Children’s Nutcracker Ballet has a cast of more than 150 dancers, ranging in age from 2 ½ years to adult. Ballet West II’s Jakob Pringle will be the guest artist cavalier and prince. This year they will introduce a new sleigh for Clara and the prince in the snow scene. 

“The Nutcracker” is performed at Juan Diego Catholic High School as a fundraiser for the school.  This year we are donating a new snow machine to the Theater department. 

Tickets are $8-12 and can be purchased at Juan Diego, at the ballet school or online at utahartistsschoolofballet.com.

Draper Historic Theatre, at 12366 South 900 East, presents “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 15, 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees Dec. 13 and 20. Ticket prices are $9 adults; $7 seniors, military and students; $5 children and $11 for reserved seating. (Any contributions, labor, materials or money would be greatly appreciated as well as your attendance. Call Colleen Eldridge with any donations, 801-809-9496.)