Holy Christmas trees!  Go ahead and wonder where the year went.  With the coming of Thanksgiving break, finals are in the air and the Christmas travel and buying season close behind.  FREEStyle is all about staying socially stylish without spending a load of cash, but the holidays are a time of giving so we're expanding the list and if you’ve got the cash - or don't, something on the holiday happenings list just might fit the bill.

Nov. 25-29  Fantasy of Trees
Since 1985, The Fantasy of Trees has been a holiday tradition in East Tennessee.  This year the theme is Jingle All the Way Home.  The event fills the Knoxville Convention Center and features shimmering decorations and a "fairytale atmosphere" for a winter welcome to begin the holiday season. Tickets are available at the door for $10, with all proceeds benefiting East Tennessee Children's Hospital.  Daily show times can be found here.

Nov. 25-Dec. 20  A Christmas Carol
The Clarence Brown Theatre presents Scrooge, the Cratchits and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in the Charles Dickens' classic.  Special preview night on Nov. 25: students with UT ID get in free!  Opening night is Nov. 27 with shows running through Dec. 20.  Regular prices range from $5 to $33.  Complete showtimes and pricing can be found here.

Nov. 25-Jan. 3  Holiday Express at the UT Gardens
UT Gardens on Neyland Drive is the setting for a 4,000 foot railway display featuring 10 model trains running through miniature landscapes decorated for the holiday season. Admission is $5.

Nov. 27-Jan. 3  Knoxville's Holidays on Ice
The Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10 a.m. opens skating for another season in downtown Market Square. The first 50 ice skaters will receive a free gift. The outdoor ice skating rink will be open every day except Christmas Day through early 2010. Daily Admission is $9 which includes skates and unlimited time on the ice.

Nov. 27-Jan. 1  Chilhowee Park Self-guided Driving Tour
Starting Friday, the park will be open to enjoy lighted floated trees and Christmas lights, from the convenience of your car.  Open nightly from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Nov. 27  The Knoxville Museum of Art presents the Alive after Five live music series at 5:30 p.m. Sharon Mosby & the Wendel Werner Quintet will perform. Admission is $9 for the general public, but only $5 for students with ID.

Nov. 27  WDVX Annual Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown
WDVX and the City of Knoxville present this annual event in downtown Market Square.  Taking the stage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., WDVX's Freddy Smith and his Holiday Chicken will emcee performances by The Holloway Sisters and Out of the Blue, Santa "Clog," with the Step Above Dancers, more music by Early Morning String Dusters and headliners The Leadbetters.

Nov. 27   Regal Celebration of Lights
At 6 p.m., Market Square and Krutch Park become a Christmas village filled with 100,000 blue and white lights.  The downtown event features the lighting of the 38 foot Christmas tree, free hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting, free horse drawn carriage rides, and free pictures with Santa.  For a winter treat, snow cream and eggnog will be provided by Mayfield Dairy, and there will be caroling and performances by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Brass Quartet to provide for merry entertainment.

Nov. 27   Weiner Dog Races
Join the fun when the Knoxville Ice Bears take the ice against the Lafayette Ice Gators at the Knoxville Coliseum at 7:30 p.m.  This special night features the always hilarious Weiner Dog Races.  Order by 3 p.m. the day of the match and get a pre-sale price on Silver level tickets of only $12.  Get your tickets by calling 656-4444.  If you have a weiner dog and think it's a winner, call 525-7825 x103 to enter it in the race.

Nov. 27-28   Christmas Market
Downtown holiday shopping on Market Street begins at 12 p.m. and runs during the Celebration of Lights event until 9 p.m. on Friday. The market reopens from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Nov. 27, 28, 30  Christmas Express
The Three Rivers Rambler invites you to catch a ride this holiday season on the "Christmas Express." Roundtrip the ride will cover 11 miles over 90 minutes, from Volunteer Landing to the Marbledale Quarry.  Refreshments are included in the admission price of $24.16 per adult,with discounts for ages 12 and under.  Select dates Dec. 4 through Dec. 20 are also available.

Nov 28   Brave New World Future Dance Night
Brave New World begins at 10 p.m. at The Fairbanks, 315 Mohican St.  The evening features END: the DJ, DJ Aeros with psytrance and trance dance music with Charlotte DJ Koji and Tampa DJ Hellroy.  New World Dancers and guest Underground Zoe from Florida will also be there.  Admission at the door is $6.

Nov. 30  Jazz for Tots
The University of Tennessee School of Music presents Jazz for Tots working with the U.S. Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" Campaign. The show begins at 7 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Music Hall.  Admission is one new unwrapped toy (per person) which will go to a tot. Cash donations will also be accepted.

Nov. 30  Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Rockettes rock Thompson Boling Arena when the world-famous Radio City Rockettes bring their high kicks and cast and crew of more than 100 to perform the Radio City Music Spectacular.  Musical numbers include the Parade of Wooden Soldiers, Santa's magical ride and the reenactment of the first Christmas in the Living Nativity.

Dec. 1  Fourth Annual East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition Reception
Categories for the competition include ceramic, drawing, digital imagery, mixed media, painting, computer graphics, sculpture, traditional photography & printmaking. The competition includes works from middle and high school students. The exhibit will run through Jan. 3 at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

Dec. 1  University of Tennessee Choir Holiday Concert
This holiday concert begins at 8 p.m. at the James R. Cox Auditorium in the Alumni Memorial Building.  Admission is free and open to the public.

Dec. 1-Feb. 28 Penguin Discount Days at the Knoxville Zoo
Half price admission all winter long!

Dec. 4  First Friday
Downtown Knoxville is the place to be every first Friday of the month.  Artist receptions at most galleries feature free admission, free snacks and free beverages throughout a number of downtown businesses.  This first Friday coincides with the Christmas parade, so plan ahead on parking. 

Dec. 4  WIVK / Fowlers Christmas Parade
For more than 35 years the Christmas parade has been a traditional event.  Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Santa, a selection of high school bands, dancers, colorful floats, animals and local celebrities will parade down historic Gay Street.

Dec. 5-6  Santa Claws Photos
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Young-Williams Animal Center invites you to bring your pet and have its photo taken with Santa!

Dec. 6  Candlelight Tours of Ramsey House Plantation
See Christmas as it was in the late 18th- early 19th centuries at the Ramsey House Plantation, 2614 Thorngrove Pike.  From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., you can tour this majestic mansion in holiday candlelight.  Refreshments and music will be available in the Visitor's Center.

Dec. 7  Mighty Musical Monday
Every first Monday of the month, the Tennessee Theatre invites you to a free performance on the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ.  Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the show starts at noon.  You can bring a lunch or light snacks and beverages are available to buy at the theatre.

Dec. 8-12  The 22nd Annual Nutcracker on Ice
The Robert Unger School of Ice Skating will once again bring to life the classic Christmas tale of the "Nutcracker" on ice.  Performers will range from the toddlers who perform as clowns and gingerbread cookies to the elegant snowflake skaters and the prince and princess. Buy your ticket by Dec. 7 to save $2 on the price of admission.  Adult tickets in advance are $12 or $15.

Dec. 11  Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee Park
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. enjoy music, food, Santa Claus photos, horse drawn carriage rides, marshmallow roasting over fire pits, caroling, decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus and more!

Dec. 12  Breakfast with Santa
8:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.at the Knoxville Zoo enjoy a hot breakfast with the Santa himself, fun holiday activities and more.  Seating will begin at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Admission for this event is $22.95 and requires a reservation. Zoo members receive a discount.

Dec. 12   Knoxville Jingle Bell Run
Lace up and run for charity as the Arthritis Foundation presents the 5K Knoxville Jingle Bell Run and one mile fun walk. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m.in downtown Krutch Park.

Dec. 12   Family Fun Day
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Knoxville Museum of Art invites everyone to a free day of hands-on art making, artist demonstrations, stage entertainment and tours.

Dec. 12   Blount Mansion Holiday Open House
Blount Mansion invites you to attend its Community Open House featuring the Concord Brass Ensemble, hand bells, wassail, holiday treats and free tours. Blount Mansion will be decorated in authentic fresh greenery, fruits and berries. Open house is from 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

Dec. 19-21  The 2009 Living Christmas Tree
Worship Ministries of Sevier Heights Baptist Church presents the he 21st annual Living Christmas Tree in Thompson Boling Arena.  Shows each evening start at 7 p.m., with two 3 p.m. day shows on Dec. 19 and 20 only. Admission is free, but tickets are recommended.