EventsSkepticism

EVENTS This Week—Preach-off, War on Christmas & Partying Your Axis Off

Every week this month is chock full of parties, and this week is no exception. Pretend to be your “favorite” preacher at the Preach-off in St. Louis, or officially join the Atheist War on Christmas in the Twin Cities, where the Minnesota Atheists are doing something truly evil—donating and wrapping gifts for families at the Children’s Hospital (handlebar mustache optional).

But don’t worry if you’re not lucky enough to be in the Midwest. No matter where you live, there is some kind of party going on, featuring everything from a stand-up mathematician to the zombie apocalypse.

Events for Dec. 14–Dec. 20

Below are some highlights of events around the U.S. (listed by region), Canada, and the UK. You can find a ton more going on all over the world in our events calendar.

Don’t see your area listed here or in the calendar? Shoot us an email, or let me know in the comments what area you are interested in.

 

NORTHEAST

Holden, MA, Sat., Dec. 15
The Greater Worcester Humanists are having their Annual Non-Denominational Festive Winter Bash this Saturday at Val’s Restaurant. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance.

 

New York, NY—Multiple

Fri., Dec. 14: The NY Society for Ethical Culture is attending David Mamet’s Race, followed by a discussion led by Anne Klaeysen of the ethical issues raised in the play. $5 donation.

Sat., Dec. 15: The Ex-Christian and Post-Theology Club is getting together for part 2 of their holiday apple cider brewing party: “The Deliciousness.” Bring your hard cider from the first party or, if you didn’t go or your cider is nasty, you can always bring some desserts instead. RSVP here. $10.

 

Lancaster, PA, Sat., Dec. 15

It’s the Lancaster Freethought Society’s 2012 End of the World Zombie Apocalypse Party! BYOB potluck. Children welcome, especially if they’re delicious. RSVP for more details.

 

Williamsburg, VA, Sat., Dec. 15

The Southeastern Virginia Skeptics are having their annual Skeptic White Elephant Holiday Party this weekend. RSVP and get more info here.

 

SOUTHEAST

Sanford, FL, Thurs., Dec. 20

The Seminole State College Planetarium is hosting a free Winter Sky Festival Thursday night, with telescope viewings and planetarium shows under the stars. You can go on your own or as part of the Orlando Skeptics group.

 

Atlanta, GA, Sat., Dec. 15

The Atlanta Skeptics are getting together Saturday for Skeptical Fact or Fiction, a team trivia game. Get more info here.

 

Durham, NC, Sat., Dec. 15

The Triangle Skeptics are meeting up at the Alliance of AIDS Services–Carolina fundraising event Drag Bingo: Jingle Balls. Tickets are $20, and kids are welcome!

 

Murrells Inlet, SC, Sat., Dec. 15

The Low Country Humanists are meeting up with the Myrtle Beach Humanists and Freethinkers at Brookgreen Gardens for the Night of 1,000 Candles event, with carolers, dulcimers, bagpipes, and a historical toy collection to browse amid the candlelit gardens.

 

Memphis, TN, Fri., Dec. 14

The Memphis Atheists Skeptimas Party will feature Dirty Santa, Honk on Santa’s North Pole, and plenty of drinking and eating and presents. Bring some food and booze to contribute.

SOUTHCENTRAL

Little Rock, AR, Fri., Dec. 14

The Arkansas Society of Freethinkers are getting together for the Little Rock 2nd Friday Art Night, a walk through various galleries, complete with free beer and wine.

 

New Orleans, LA, Sat., Dec. 15

The New Orleans Secular Humanist Association is hosting a “Pre-Solstice” Potluck Picnic on Saturday. Find out more 2012

 

Edmond, OK, Tues., Dec. 18
Join the Oklahoma Atheists and the UCO Skeptics for a free talk by Paul Dawson on Disbelief Discourse. 7:30 PM

 

Austin, TX, Mon., Dec. 17

CFI-Austin’s Food For Thought this Monday is on Evolution of the Social Brain, presented by Hans Hofmann, director of the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and co-director of the Center for Brain, Behavior, and Evolution at UT Austin.

 

Cedar Hill, TX, Sat., Dec. 15, to Sun., Dec. 16

The Free Thinkers of Fort Worth are having a Winter Solstice Party picnic on Saturday, followed by camping that night. More details about what to bring, including gifts, here.

 

Dallas, TX, Sat., Dec. 15

Join the North Texas Skeptics for their Annual Holiday Social on Saturday. RSVP here.

 

Houston, TX—Multiple

Sat., Dec. 15: The Humanists of Houston are hosting a talk by Angela Galindo on “A Scientific History of the Universe (for Non-Scientists).”
Wed., Dec. 19: Houston Atheists are hosting “An Evening with a Houston Legend Mr. Ray Hill,” a former teenage Baptist minister or came out as atheist and gay in the late fifties.

MIDWEST

Normal, IL, Thurs., Dec. 20

Join the Bloomington–Normal Freethinkers for a Mayan End of the World Winter Solstice Skeptics Snackfest & Planetarium Party at the ISU Planetarium. Free family-friendly event.

 

Skokie, IL, Sun., Dec. 16

The Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago Winter Festival is this Sunday, a traditional winter solstice celebration. Details here.

 

Overland Park, KS, Fri., Dec. 14

The Provocateurs and Peacemakers are hosting a talk, “Science: A Self-Correcting Enterprise,” by Brian Thomas on his forthcoming co-authored paper in Nature about the cause of the carbon-14 spike in  774 CE.

Mankato, MN, Sat., Dec. 15

The Southern MN Atheists, Realists and Thinkers (SMART) are having their 4th Annual Atheist Elephant Solstice Party at The Wow Zone. Details here.

 

Rochester, MN, Thurs., Dec. 20

The Rochester Area Freethinkers are hosting a Solstice Dinner at Victoria’s. RSVP as soon as possible so that they can make an accurate reservation.

 

Roseville, MN, Wed., Dec. 19

AU Board Member David Pacheco is giving a talk to the Minnesota Atheists on “Church/State Separation: Election Issues and the Way Forward” next Wednesday night.

 

St. Paul, MN, Sat., Dec. 15

The Minnesota Atheists are diving in to the Atheist War on Christmas: Gift Donation/Wrapping Extravaganza + Food & Drinks. Donate and wrap gift bags for families spending the holidays at the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota. RSVP here.

 

Springfield, MO, Sun., Dec. 16

The Springfield Freethinkers are hosting their annual Ugly Sweater Brunch w/ Dirty Santa Gift Exchange. All ages welcome. Admission is a donation to the Castaway Animal Rescue Effort.

 

St. Louis, MO, Mon., Dec. 17

The St. Louis Atheists are having a Preach-off at Schlafly Bottleworks. Join in and act the part of a preacher or just watch the action. $1 donation.

 

SOUTHWEST

Flagstaff, AZ, Sat., Dec. 15

The Flagstaff Freethinkers are hosting an Annual Holiday/Solstice/Hitch Tribute Potluck Dinner. All ages welcome. RSVP here.

 

Mesa, AZ, Sat., Dec. 15

The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix is having its Annual Winter Solstice Celebration: Reason, Compassion & Hope this Saturday. RSVP here.

NORTHWEST

Portland, OR, Sat., Dec. 15

CFI Portland is having a family-friendly elegant dinner and dancing event, the 2nd annual Dark-to-Light Gala, at the Paragon. $39 for CFI members; $44 for non-members; $8 for children 12 & under (when ordering off children’s menu).

 

WEST

Bakersfield, CA, Wed., Dec. 19

The Bakersfield Area Skeptics Society is hosting a talk by Oscar Ceballos on tradition, superstition, and religion in Latino communities.

 

El Cajon, CA, Sat., Dec. 15

San Diego New Atheists and Agnostics are getting together for “A Debate with Young Earth Creationists” at San Diego Christian College. Details here.

 

Los Angeles, CA, Sun., Dec. 16

CFI-LA’s Solstice Party: Axial Tilt, the Reason for the Season is this weekend. Get more info here.

 

San Francisco, CA, Sat., Dec. 15

The San Francisco Atheists’ Winter Solstice Celebration is at the Historic Bowman House. Get more info here (and note that you’ll need to join and then RSVP separately from the meetup event). $25; $10 for children 12 and under.

 

Ogden, UT, Sat., Dec. 15
The Atheists of Ogden Winter Solstice Party is this Saturday. Bucket of booze! Prizes! RSVP here.

CANADA

Vancouver, BC, Sat., Dec. 15

CFI Vancouver’s Café Inquiry features skeptical activist Marilee Welch talking on “Positive Thinking for Chronic Pain—Helpful or Harmful?”

 

UK

Edinburgh, Thurs., Dec. 20

The Edinburgh Skeptics in the Pub is hosting David Aaronovitch, who will be talking about “Voodoo Histories Updated: New Conspiracy Theories,” based on his book Voodoo Histories.

 

London—Multiple

Fri., Dec. 14: The Central London Humanist Group and UCLU Atheist, Secularist & Humanist Society are hosting a Winterval Quiz and Social with quizmaster stand-up mathematician Matt Parker. More info here, but be sure to register here. Free to register, but £5 donations collected at the event.

Sun., Dec. 16: The London Ethical Society is getting together for this Sunday’s Conway Hall lecture by Anya Chaika, who will talk about “Invisible England: The Use of Holding Therapy in the UK,” based on her book. £3 on the door/free to members.

 

Want to promote your skeptical, atheist, humanist, science, or just all-around geeky event or group on our events calendar? Click here to send us the details.

 

Featured image by Mark Nockleby.

 

 

Melanie Mallon

Melanie is a freelance editor and writer living in a small town outside Minneapolis with her husband, two kids, dog, and two cats. When not making fun of bad charts or running the Uncensorship Project, she spends her time wrangling commas, making colon jokes, and putting out random dumpster fires. You can find her on Twitter as @MelMall, on Facebook, and on Instagram.

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