Where to find lights, concerts, plays and more holiday cheer

Many people make holiday shows, concerts and light displays part of their annual Christmas-time traditions.

One place where you can get it all is Warm Beach Camp’s “The Lights of Christmas” near Stanwood.

On Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 18-23 and 26-30, people can tour the camp’s grounds to see more than 1 million lights on display, the largest of its kind in the region.

In addition, the camp offers dinner theater, concerts, fun activities for children and warm doughnuts and cider. For more information about “The Lights of Christmas,” go to www.thelightsofchristmas.com or call 800-228-6724.

Pay-what-you-can nights at Warm Beach are Dec. 4, 11, 29 and 30. Otherwise, tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for seniors and military personnel, $10 for children ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and younger.

For those who can venture farther afield, Leavenworth offers its delightful Christmas Lighting Festival each weekend before Christmas. Enjoy live music, roasted chestnuts, shopping and the lighting up of the town at dusk. More information about our state’s “Little Bavaria” is at www.leavenworth.com.

Even downtown Seattle makes a nice holiday get-away. Ride the carousel at Westlake Center. Take the monorail to the Seattle Center for Winterfest. Walk through the Pike Place Public Market. Visit Santa at Macy’s.

Sticking close to home? The following is a list of concerts, plays, Nutcrackers and community celebrations in Snohomish County and beyond.

Concerts

Everett Philharmonic: “Imagine: The Sounds of the Season” is a holiday family concert by the orchestra set for 3 p.m. Nov. 30 at Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett. Family tickets are available. More information is at www.everettphil.org.

“The Word is Peace”: Trinity Lutheran College concert choir and chamber ensemble present an advent concert at 4 p.m. Nov. 30 at Trinity Lutheran church, 6215 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Trinity Episcopal church, 2301 Hoyt Ave., Everett. Admission is free.

Jazz Pianist David Benoit’s Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown: Benoit plays Vince Guaraldi tunes, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. Ticket prices are $15 for students, and from $29 through $39 for adults. Call 425-275-9595.

The Coats Holiday Show: A favorite Northwest vocal band, the group offers a fundraiser concert to benefit the music program at Lakewood High School at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., Arlington. Tickets are $16.50. The show opens with a performance by Lakewood High School’s jazz choir “Swingbeat.” Advance tickets at www.thecoats.brownpapertickets.com.

“Christmas in Edmonds”: North Sound Church presents concerts at 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. The concert is a benefit for the Foundation for Edmonds School District, to aid efforts with feeding school children in crisis situations. Tickets are $12, available at the box office 425-275-9595.

“The Sweet Sounds of Christmas”: The Everett Chorale and guests, the Brass Reflections Quintet, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Tickets are $18 or $16 for seniors, students and military personnel. Call 425-257-8600.

North Cascades Concert Band: 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School.

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales”: Northwest Chamber Chorus, 3 p.m. Dec. 7 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle. More information is at www.northwestchamberchorus.org.

“All I Want for Christmas”: Brass Band Northwest concert, from traditional to pops, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Bellevue Presbyterian Church, 1717 Bellevue Way NE. Tickets are $10 or $5 for students and seniors. More at www.brassbandnw.org.

Navy Band Northwest: The band offers its “A Gift of Music” free concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Everett Performing Arts Center. The evening includes New Orleans-style tunes from Deception Brass and rock from Passage, both bands within the band. Christmas classics are on the program. More at http://www.facebook.com/navybandnorthwest.

Christmas with the Gothard Sisters: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. The Gothard sisters return home for a Celtic Christmas concert full of Irish dance and music. Tickets are $18 general, $12 students and seniors. Call 425-275-9595.

“Holiday Magic”: The Sno-King Community Chorale, under the direction of Frank DeMiero, performs at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. Tickets are $20 or $17 for seniors and students. Call 425-275-9595 for tickets.

Tingstad and Rumbel: The Northwest’s Grammy award-winning instrumental duo, Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel, play a concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Playing together since 1985, their debut album, “The Gift,” quickly became a holiday classic. For tickets, $20, call 425-258-6766.

“Messiah”: A community choir of people primarily from north Snohomish County offer performance of the Christmas portions of the great work by Handel. Conductor Lyle Forde and the Arlington Community Choir and Orchestra offer the concert at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd.

Pacifica Chamber Orchestra Christmas Concert: 3 p.m. Dec. 14, First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. More at www.pacificachamberorchestra.org.

Holiday Classics Concert: Kamiak High School orchestra and choir offer a concert at 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets, $5 to $40, available at www.kamiakarts.org.

Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide: The Boulding family concert is 3 p.m. Dec. 14, Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Tickets range from $15 to $24. Call 360-336-8955.

Cascade Symphony’s Holiday Concert: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. Due to the demand for tickets, Cascade Symphony urges patrons to return tickets they will not use to the ECA box office. CSO also will hold a free dress rehearsal at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Edmonds Food Bank.

“A Christmas Carol”: Wanderlust Circus offers a circus musical for families based on the Dickens tale at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. With live music by 3 Leg Torso. Tickets, $12 to $25, available by calling 425-258-6766 or online at www.historiceveretttheatre.org.

Geoffrey Castle Celtic Christmas: Castle plays a concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Castle is a pioneer on the electric six-string violin. He’s played on Broadway and with Blues Traveler, Heart and Yes. Tickets available by calling 425-258-6766.

Bronn Journey Christmas Concert: Performances at 2 p.m. Dec. 18-21, Tin Noah Thumbnail Theater, 1211 Fourth St., Snohomish.

Mark O’Connor: The famed Mountlake Terrace-native fiddler plays an “Appalachian Christmas Concert” at 7 p.m. Dec. 21, Meany Theater, University of Washington. See www.artsuw.org.

“A Bluegrass Christmas”: Weatherside Whiskey Band plays a concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 a Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. This four-piece, alt-country and bluegrass ensemble features Whidbey Island native Tanner McInerney, joined by Jakob Singer, Amy Meyer and Jacob Yackshaw, in an evening of holiday song favorites played with a little roadhouse style. All seats are $20. For tickets by phone, 800-638-7631.

Trace Bundy Christmas Concert: The show benefits Monroe’s Take the Next Step organization and its efforts to combat poverty. Curtain is 7 p.m. Dec. 23 at Wagner Performing Arts Center, 639 W. Main St., Monroe. Call 360-794-1022 for $15 advance tickets.

Seattle Symphony: “Holiday Pops” with Cirque Musica, Dec. 5-7; Handel’s “Messiah” with the Symphony Chorale on Dec. 19-21; Benaroya Hall, Seattle. Information and tickets at www.seattlesymphony.org or 206-215-4747.

Plays

“A Christmas Story”: Whidbey Island Center for the Arts presents this funny Christmas classic at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 5 through 20, at the theater, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. Tickets are $22 for adults; $18 for seniors; $15 for youths; $15 for matinees. Call 800-638-7631.

“Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts”: Through Dec. 7 at the Red Curtain Art Center, 1410 Grove St., Marysville. Directed by Susan Weingarten, it’s a fast-paced British farce. Eight actors play 30 characters. See www.redcurtainfoundation.org for details. Tickets are $17 general, $14 for seniors, students and military personnel and $5 for children age 12 and younger. Call 360-322-7402.

“Miracle on 34th Street”: Produced by Edmonds Driftwood Players through Dec. 21 at Wade James Theater, 950 Main St., Edmonds. For ticket and performance information, go to www.driftwoodplayers.com or call 425-774-9600.

“A Christmas Story: The Musical”: The 5th Avenue Theatre presents the musical through Dec. 31. After premiering at the 5th in 2010, this hit went to Broadway and toured nationally. The show stars real-life husband and wife Dane Stokinger and Jessica Skerritt as The Old Man and Mother, alongside Mark Jeffrey James Weber as Ralphie and Everett’s own Brandon Oke as Randy. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays at the theater, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. For tickets, starting at $29, go to www.5thavenue.org or call 206-625-1900.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical”: Broadway at the Paramount presents the Dr. Seuss classic Dec. 2-7 at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 3 and 4; 8 p.m. Dec. 5; 11 a.m., 2, 5 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 6; and 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets start at $25 and are available online at stgpresents.org and tickets.com, by calling 877-STG-4TIX (784-4849) or in person weekdays at the box office.

“White Christmas”: Theatre Arts Guild presents the musical, with 17 Irving Berlin songs, through Dec. 13 at the Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon. Evening shows at 7:30, matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $24. Call 360-336-8955.

“Appalachian Christmas Homecoming:” Taproot Theatre presents the play through Dec. 27 at 204 N. 85th St., Seattle. Listen to the stories of three generations told through music and memories. Tickets and more information are available online at www.taproottheatre.org.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”: Seattle Public Theater offers its 14th annual production of the story of the horrible Herdman kids, Dec. 13 through 24, at the Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake, Seattle. For tickets, call the SPT Box Office at 206-524-1300 or go to www.seattlepublictheater.org.

“A Christmas Carol”: A Contemporary Theatre’s 39th production of the Dickens classic runs through Dec. 28 at the ACT-Allen Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. Tickets range in price. Group discounts available. Go to www.acttheatre.org or call 206-292-7676.

Nutcracker

“Nutcracker”: Pacific Northwest Ballet is putting its 31-year-old, world famous Nutcracker by PNB founding director Kent Stowell and illustrator Maurice Sendak into storage indefinitely. For now, the company is advertising that you have a last chance to see the production, Nov. 28 through Dec. 28 in the Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall. Tickets are available at the box office, 301 Mercer St. in Seattle, by calling 206-441-2424, or at www.PNB.org.

“The Nutcracker”: Olympic Ballet Theatre of Edmonds will perform a full-length traditional production of the ballet, including a growing Christmas Tree and a larger-than-life Mother Ginger. Public performances are 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Everett Performing Arts Center; 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, and 5 p.m. Dec. 21 at Edmonds Center for the Arts. For tickets, more information and to learn about daytime shows for groups, go to www.olympicballet.com or call 425-774-7570.

“A Storybook Nutcracker”: This 18th annual production is offered by Alderwood Dance Spectrum at 9:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13 in the auditorium at Snohomish County PUD, 2320 California St., Everett. A storyteller presents this version of the ballet, which is great for younger children. Seating is reserved and tickets are on sale at www.BrownPaperTickets.com. The price is $15 each, plus a service charge. Group rates are available for the Thursday performances. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, based on availability.

“The Nutcracker”: The Dance School in Everett offers its third annual Nutcracker at 2 and 5 p.m. Dec. 20 on the PUD stage, 2320 Calif. St., Everett. Tickets are $12 at the door or $10 in advance by calling 425-259-6861.

Santa visits

North Pole Party: Santa, tree lighting, carpet skating, stories and accordion music, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29, Imagine Children’s Museum, 1502 Wall St., Everett. For more information, go to imaginecm.org or call 425-258-1006.

Santa and the pets: NOAH animal shelter offers photos with your pet and Santa, 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6, NOAH Center Training Building, 31300 Brandstrom Road, Stanwood. Call 360-629-7055.

Afternoon with Santa: Free, community event, 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9, Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. Make a holiday craft and decorate a Christmas cookie. Bring your camera for pictures with Santa. Call 360-387-0222.

Santa storytime: Santa Claus reads to kids, 11 a.m. Dec. 10, Mill Creek branch of University Book Store, 15311 Main St., Mill Creek. Free admission. Treats and activities. Bring your own camera.

Other good stuff

Holiday model trains: Swamp Creek &Western Railroad Association of Edmonds hosts its annual open house 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Dec. 6, Edmonds Depot, 210 Railroad St., Edmonds. Free. The model train layout features 400 feet of track that passes through miniature towns and detailed scenery. The association has been located in former baggage room at the Edmonds depot since 1977.

“Toys of Yesteryear”: The new exhibit at Edmonds Historical Museum features toys that might have appeared under Christmas trees of the past century. Adults may see a favorite toy from their childhood and younger folks will get to see what lit up the eyes of their parents and grandparents. Open 1-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 118 Fifth Ave. N, Edmonds. More information at www.historicedmonds.org.

Woodland Park Zoo’s WildLights: Thousands of sparkling lights, faux-snowball fight, carolers, reindeer, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly, Nov. 28 through Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 24 and 25), 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle. Tickets $6.50 to $9.75. Ages 2 and under free. The zoological gardens are open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at two entrances, Fremont Avenue and 50th Street or Phinney Avenue and 55th Street, Seattle. For information, call 206-548-2500 or go to www.zoo.org.

Gingerbread Village: The culinary staff of the Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 Sixth Ave., teams up with architects and designers to bake and build elaborate gingerbread displays in the hotel lobby. Benefits the Northwest Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The displays are now through Jan. 5. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com.

Walk-Through Living Nativity: 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12-14, Cedarhome Seventh-day Adventist Church, 28505 68th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Free. Dress warm. Hot drinks and cookies served inside.

Community celebrations

Arlington’s Hometown Holidays: Santa Parade, noon, down Olympic Avenue, followed by visits with Santa, wagon rides, handmade market, tree lighting and caroling; Festival of Trees open house 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 6 at Cascade Valley Hospital; “It’s a Wonderful Arlington Christmas Show” with Arlington High School “Flight” jazz choir, 7 p.m. at Byrnes Performing Arts Center.

Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony: Gather at 4 p.m. Nov. 29 in Centennial Plaza in downtown Edmonds. Entertainment includes music from the Maplewood Jazz Band, North Sound Church Choir and Edmonds Children’s Choir. Santa arrives by fire truck for the lighting of the Christmas tree. Afterward, join Santa on a walk to the Edmonds Conference Center for hot chocolate, cookies, singing and photos with Santa. More at www.edmondswa.com.

Everett’s Wintertide and Holiday on the Bay: Wintertide is 4 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Plaza, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. The event includes performances by Village Theatre KidStage, Trinity Lutheran College Concert Choir, Kamiak High School barbershop quartet, Bible Baptist Church Choir. Enjoy decorating a giant gingerbread house, crafts with Imagine Children’s Museum, refreshments, photo booth and the Christmas tree lighting. Holiday on the Bay is 11 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Port of Everett Waterfront Center, 1205 Craftsman Way, where you can enjoy the Everett Farmers Market craft fair, Imagine Children’s Museum carfts, fire truck rides, entertainment by Evergreen Middle School and Mariner High School choirs, tree lighting and boat parade at 6 p.m.

Marysville/Tulalip: Providence General Foundation’s Festival of Trees is open free to the community on Dec. 3 at the Tulalip Resort. More information is at www.providencegeneralfoundation.org.

Mill Creek’s Holiday Tree Lighting: On Dec. 6, enjoy Voices Northwest Choir at 3:45 p.m., followed by the Jackson High School Drumline and the tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Main Street. The Jackson High School jazz band will perform from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Carriage rides, free hot cider, photos with Santa, carolers, cookie decorating. More at www.cityofmillcreek.com.

Monroe Community Tree Lighting and Celebration: The Monroe Chamber of Commerce hosts its decades-old holiday celebration, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 in historic downtown Monroe. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fire truck, afternoon photos with Santa, live music, vendors, Classic Country 1520 radio broadcastd live at the Masonic Lodge, Christmas tree lighting 6 p.m. at the corner of Main and Lewis. In addition, the Monroe Historical Society offers an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at 207 E. Main St. Refreshments. Free.

Mountlake Terrace Tree Lighting: The city is 60 years old and a ceremony is set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at Evergreen Playfield, 22205 56th Ave. W., with a concert by Mountlake Terrace and Terrace Park elementary school students, a visit from Santa, cookies, hot cocoa and the traditional lighting of the “tree,” a frame of nearly 2,000 Christmas lights on top of the city’s water tower.

Snohomish’s “A Night of Christmas Jingles”: The VanAssche family and Snohomish Kiwanis offer this celebration at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Hidden Meadows, 11805 Springhetti Road, Snohomish. Santa visit, carols, story time, cookies and a chance to donate to Snohomish Food Bank and Boys and Girls Club.

Stanwood’s “Light Up Your Holidays”: Annual tree-lighting ceremony, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29, Viking Village Shopping Center, corner of Highway 532 and 88th Avenue. Also, 15th annual Old Fashioned Christmas at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at 27108 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. Free photos with Santa, gift bags, crafts, treats and entertainment.