December is always a wonderful month for artists and art lovers with lots of art shows, bazaars and holiday events scheduled throughout the county in the next few weeks.

Betsy Bowen illustrated Jeff Humphries’ “Burr and Hamilton,” which has just been released.

First up is the Sneak Preview of the Holiday Art Underground Sale at Betsy Bowen’s Studio from 5-9 p.m. Friday night, Dec 2. This is always a great show with more than 40 local and regional artists represented in all kinds of media. Paintings, pottery, prints, photography, jewelry, fiber art and more are featured at this great show, which continues through the end of the month.

Bowen, who is known throughout the region for her woodcut prints, illustrated two new books this year: “Twelve Owls,” written by Laura Erickson and released this fall, and “Burr and Hamilton,” written by Jeff Humphries and released last month. The Sneak Peek will also include music by Joe Paulik and Jesse Wilkinson. Refreshments will be served on Friday night and throughout the opening weekend.

The Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Open House is at the Grand Marais Art Colony from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sat. Dec. 3

On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Northwoods Fiber Guild holds its annual Holiday Open House and Sale at the Grand Marais Art Colony from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is always a very popular event featuring all-things fiber and handmade. Sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, felted bags, jewelry, rugs and more fill the Founders Hall at the Art Colony that Saturday. The event always features homemade holiday treats as well as music, demonstrations and a hands-on craft table. All invited.

The Evangelical Free Church has its annual Christmas Craft and Baker Sale Dec. 3, too, at the church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here you’ll find handmade craft items, baked goods and lunch. The event is a benefit for youth programs.

Also that weekend, the Artisans of the Tombolo hold a holiday open house at 120 E. 5th St. featuring weaving, fused glass jewelry, knitted items, to name a few. Karen Lohn, author of “Peace Fibers” is hosting the event, and copies of her book will be available.

The Blue Moose Gallery is holding a special Christmas Gift event this week, too. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 4, when it closes for the season.

Lutsen Mountains will feature a special “Rail Jam” for snowboarders and trixters on Saturday, Dec. 3, with the Nathan Miller Band playing on Saturday night.

And there will be open house receptions in Tofte, including the Tall Tales Yarn Shop & the Coho Cafe.

Also that weekend, the community is invited to the annual Community Christmas Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Dec. 4 & 5. The concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and feature a community choir and orchestra in a festival of holiday music directed by Bill Beckstrand. This event is always a treat. Donations are accepted.

Tom McCann has made a series of watercolor sketches like the one above for the Holiday Art Underground Show at Betsy Bowen’s Studio. A sneak peak reception is Friday night, Dec. 2.

The next weekend, Betsy Bowen is organizing a staged reading from “Burr and Hamilton,” on Friday, Dec. 9 at her studio with Marcia Hyatt, Richard Swanson and Marco Good. The reading will be at 7:30 p.m. The event, which starts at 7 p.m., includes music by the Community Music Circle and a Guatemala Medical Relief fundraising chili feed.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, the Grand Portage Community Holiday Bazaar will be held in the conference room at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chez Jude and the Pie Place will both hold holiday teas that weekend and the next, as well.

Another highlight of the season is the Winter Solstice Pageant and Bonfire at North House Folk School, 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The pageant will feature a puppet show by the Good Harbor Hill Players followed by a potluck in the Blue Building. Everybody is invited.

Two days after Christmas, Naniboujou Lodge and Restaurant hosts the Christmas Caroled Dinners with the Muus family carolers. Reservations are required for this popular event. Call 387-2688 for more information.

New Year’s Eve completes the celebrations of the season with parties and music at Papa Charlie’s, Windigo Lodge, Cascade Lodge Pub and the Gunflint Tavern. Michael Monroe and Michael Johnson will perform at three Log Cabin Concerts, too. See the calendar for details.

Liz Sivertson’s Dreamcatcher II is at Sivertson Gallery.

In other art news, Emily Cihlar will be one of the featured artists at a holiday trunk show at Great Gifts of Lutsen with her Lake Superior beach stone earrings. In other jewelry news, Sivertson Gallery will have a Trollbead Trunk Show Dec. 16-17.

Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen continues its holiday art show through December. The gallery is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by chance or appointment. Call 663-7008 for more info.

The Lake Superior Trading Post is featuring Kathy Hellner’s sterling silver jewelry crafted with Lake Superior agates, thomsonite and basalt. The shop also has copies of “A View from the Wolf’s Eye” by Carole Peterson. Her husband, Rolf, has been working on -the wolf/moose study on Isle Royale for years. The book documents their life and research on the island.

The Attic Gallery has a selection of artwork crafted from Amish nails, including crosses and Christmas ornaments, as well as new holiday soy candles.

Birchbark Books & Gifts has copies of William Kent Krueger’s latest mystery, “Northwest Angle” as well as a wide selection of local cookbooks.

There is one more weekend to see the juried photography show at the Johnson Heritage Post. It closes for the season Dec. 5.

The Waterfront Gallery in Two Harbors is featuring functional pottery by Al Omarzu.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has a number of exhibits this month including “Line by Line” featuring work by Ahmoo Angeconeb, Angelique Merasty, Norval Morrisseau, Roy Thomas and Michael Robinson.