BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Kern County Museum opens its doors for "Visions of Sugar Plums" Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. This event is held at the Kern County Museum’s Historic Chamber of Commerce Building located 3801 Chester Avenue.

The night will consist of trees creatively decorated around themes that will cause anyone’s taste buds to go wild: Gingerbread Village, Mardi Gras King Cake, Easter Egg Hunt, Grandma’s Kitchen and many more.

With hot appetizers including: smoked chicken breast, sun-dried tomato and mushrooms in roasted garlic alfredo sauce tossed with penne pasta and deep pit shredded beef lasagna.

For the vegetarians, there will be mushroom ravioli in a porcini marinara dish.

The lighting of the clock tower will be at 7 p.m.

Visitors will pay $25 for the first chance to see how creatively the exhibitors have intertwined favorite treats, sweets, festivals, parties and history to capture the essence of the theme.

If you are unable to make this historic night, there are still chances to see the beauty that is the Clock Tower Holidays.

Holiday Lamplight Tours

• Saturday, Dec. 6
• 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Start the holiday season off with an event evoking holiday celebrations of the past. Festive decorations, including over 100 old-fashioned lanterns on the museum grounds and buildings, set the mood for this unique celebration of the holiday season. Old West encampments and beautifully dressed costumed interpreters set a backdrop for a holiday experience you won’t forget. Strolling minstrels, carolers, bell choirs and much more make this an event not to be missed. Visions of Sugarplums will also be open throughout the evening. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children; members price $5 for adults and $3 for children. Advanced sale tickets are available, and group rates for 20 or more can also be arranged in advance. Refreshments and carriage rides are an additional fee.

Cookies at the Clock Tower

• Sunday, Dec. 14
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Enjoy a family day at the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center with plenty of cookies and hot drinks. Visions of Sugar Plums will be the theme for great craft activities for the children. Everyone gets a chance at the raffle prizes, family activities and entertainment including magicians and visits with Santa! Admission is $5.00 for adults and children 3-12. Children under 3 and Museum Members are admitted free.

Visitors will have until Dec. 30 (except Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 24-25) to see the displays, but the extra treats, plus the night of fine food and drinks only happens once, on Nov. 20. Beginning Nov. 21, the exhibit will be open during the museum’s regular hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Sat. and 12-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission prices are adults $8, seniors (ages 60+) and students (ages 6-12) $7, children (ages 3-5) $5. Children younger than age three are admitted free. Parking is also free.