Family fun calendar

Holiday lights

Snohomish and Island counties

“The Lights of Christmas”: More than one million outdoor lights; train rides, music, drama performances, refreshments, 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 17; Dec. 19-23, Warm Beach Christian Camps, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood; 360-652-7575, www.warmbeach.com/loc.

Community celebrations

Snohomish and Island counties

Brier: 5:30 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31, Timberlake Park becomes a winter wonderland. Cash and food donations for the local food bank encouraged. 3700 and 3800 blocks of 228th Place SW; www.brierlights.org.

Everett: 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18, Santa and Mrs. Claus house, 2602 Baker. Decorated house is at middle of 26th Street block; free, stuffed animals for the children, hot cider, bring your own cameras for Santa photos.

Seattle and beyond

Seattle: “Walk in a Winter Wonderland,” through Dec. 24, free. Nightly snow show, 6 to 6:15 p.m., musical entertainment from school groups to professional jazz, bluegrass and pop performers, Pacific Place, 600 Pine St., Suite 228; 206-652-1300, www.pacificplaceseattle.com.

Santa breakfasts

Seattle and beyond

Sheraton Seattle Hotel: 9:30 to 11 a.m., Dec. 16 and 17, 1400 Sixth Ave.; $50, $25 ages 12/under; 206-621-9000, www.fhcrc.org.

Woodland Park Zoo: 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 16; photos 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 619 N. 59th St.; $21.95, $12.95 ages 3-10, free, age 2/under; nonmembers $26.95, $16.45 ages 3-10; free for ages 2/under. Reservations and advance payment required, prices include admission; 206-684-4825, www.zoo.org.

Santa photos

Snohomish and Island counties

Alderwood Mall: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 24; 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood; Santa photo set is across from Macy’s; 425-771-1121, www.alderwoodmall.com.

Snohomish: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 16, 22; 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 16, The Magic of Christmas lights/Kiwanis Chalet, 1705 Terrace Drive; $5 for 1 photo, $10 for 2 and wallet-size pictures.

Santa sightings

Snohomish and Island counties

Mukilteo: 11 a.m. Dec. 17, Future of Flight Aviation Center, 8415 Paine Field Blvd., Mukilteo; Santa arrives, museum guests are admitted for free, refreshments available and hourly tours; 425-438-8100, www.futureofflight.org.

Skagit County and north

Lake Whatcom Railway: 9 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 23; $14, $7 ages 2-17, free, ages 2/under. Enjoy festive decorations and refreshments. Written requests and payment by check for the amount of tickets desired is required before train date, to Lake Whatcom Railway, P.O. Box 91, Acme, Wash., 98220. Include the number of adult and children’s tickets desired, a telephone number and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the tickets to be mailed to you.

Christmas ships

Seattle and beyond

Argosy: Through Dec. 23, nightly holiday music, catered holiday meals, various Christmas lighting events; options from regular Argosy to Royal Christmas ships, $22 to $99 adults, $11.50 to $59 children, (kids under 12 free on Family Night); 206-623-1445, www.argosycruises.com.

Miscellaneous

Snohomish and Island counties

Caroling at Alderwood Mall: 7 p.m. Fridays, 1 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 17, talents including local school choirs and The Dickens Carolers.

Glass icicle-making: Noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17, Goodridge Glass Studio, 724 First St., second floor, Mukilteo; $10/person; kids welcome with parent supervision, reservations recommended, supplies provided; 206-818-9795, www.glassartbysteve.com.

Ornament-making workshops: 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. or open studio sessions, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec.16, Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo; kids under 9 must have parent supervision; $30, $20/second family member, $15/third family member; open studio $10, $7, $5; 425-308-5503, www.pointelliottartacademy.org.

North Sound Church: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16, Christmas comedy dessert theater, Edmonds Conference Center, 201 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds; $12.50/person, $100/table of eight. Live holiday music, desserts and “Missing Jesus” performance by Taproot Theatre Road Company; 425-776-9800, www.northsoundchurch.com.

Music and dessert: 7 p.m. Dec. 16, Christmas music and narration program followed by dessert; United Methodist Church’s music ministry, 5600 64th St. NE, Marysville; free; 360-659-8521.

Toys for Tots: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 21, Everett City Concierge will collect donations at the Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-322-2658, www.EverettCityConcierge.com.

Seattle and beyond

Reindeer festival: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 23, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., Issaquah; $10, $9 seniors, $7.50 children, admission included; chances for photos with Santa; 425-392-6278, www.cougarmountainzoo.org.

Special events

Snohomish and Island counties

Motorcycle ice racing: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 31st annual world championship, Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; $11 to $51; 425-322-2600; www.everetteventscenter.com.

Swing dance: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, Oxford Saloon, 913 First St., Snohomish; live music and 1920s through ’40s swing dancing style, Sunday Swing Group members will dress in period costumes; free.

Trolley tours: Guided tours of Car 55, one of six electric Interurban rail cars that provided commuter service from Alderwood Manor to Seattle and Everett from 1910-1939. By appointment December-May, Heritage Park, 19921 Poplar Way, Lynnwood; 425-744-6478.

Bingo: 11 a.m. first/third Mondays, Granville Grange, 9401 163rd St. NE, Granite Falls; 360-691-7867.

Everett Chess Club: 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Free tournaments/lessons, open to all ages/skill levels. Espresso Americano, Everett Public Library, main branch, 2702 Hoyt Ave.; 425-514-3209, bradchess@hotmail.com.

Horse Country Farm: 8507 Highway 92, Granite Falls; 360-691-7509, 425-335-4773, www.horsecountryfarm.com. Working students learn to ride for a reduced cost in exchange for caring for horses, ages 11 and up.

Meditation hour: Weekly meditation, learn techniques in a group setting, 7 p.m. Wednesdays, donations accepted, CDM Psychic Institute, 2401 Summit Ave., Everett; 425-258-1449.

Psychic and alternative health fair: Psychic readings, reflexology treatments, gift items, learn about Reiki, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. second Saturdays, free. Triway Grange Hall, 3509 Seattle Hill Road, Mill Creek; 425-338-3663.

Benefits

Snohomish and Island counties

Pet benefit: 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 16, QFC store, 27008 92nd Ave NW, Stanwood; Camano Island author Randi Berger signs her book, “My Recycled Pets: Diary of a Dog Addict,” and all proceeds benefit the rescue of pets; 360-629-2500, www.recycledpetsrescue.com.

Seattle and beyond

George Harrison Jam: Doors 8 p.m., show 8:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Crocodile Cafe, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle; $15 advance, $20 day of show, proceeds go to Northwest Harvest; 206-441-5611, 866-468-7623, www.ticketweb.com.

Public dances

Snohomish and Island counties

Dance lessons: 7 to 8 p.m. salsa, 8 to 9 p.m. waltz, through Dec. 20, partner encouraged, but not required, $50/person for 4-week session, Laurelwood Ballroom, 123 N. Blakeley St., Monroe; 360-794-8317.

Beginning belly dance: 7 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 19, in a room adjacent to the Darrington White Horse Gym,1105 Darrington St., Darrington. $50 for whole course; drop-ins welcome, $10/class; 206-229-9726, www.indigodance.net.

Dance classes: Sponsored by the Boeing Employees’ Big Band Dance Club, 6:45 p.m. Mondays for beginners, 7:45 p.m. Mondays for intermediate, Jan. 8-March 5; swing, samba, waltz, tango and more, Everett Boeing Recreation Center, 6400 36th Ave. W., Everett; $4/person, 425-334-2746.

Folk dance: Sno-King International Folk Dance Club, 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, $5, $3/members. Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood; 425-454-6529, 425-889-0541. Dec. 16, Israeli couple dance.

Folk dance: Skandia Folkdance Society, 7:30-8:30 p.m. lesson, 8:30-11:30 p.m. dance, first Fridays, $10/members, $12/guests. Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood; 206-784-7470, www.skandia-folkdance.org.

Line dancing: 2 p.m. first, second/fourth Wednesdays, $6. Ken Baxter Senior Center, 514 Delta Ave., Marysville; 360-651-2555.

Public dance: Harry Lindbeck, smooth dance music, 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, $5. Normanna Hall, 2725 Oakes Ave., Everett; 425-252-0291.

Public dance: Versatones, 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, $4. Normanna Hall, 2725 Oakes Ave., Everett; 425-252-0291.

Scottish country dancing: No partner needed, Wednesdays, Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo; 425-438-8977.

Swing dance: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, Oxford Saloon, 913 First St., Snohomish; live music and 1920s through ’40s style swing dancing, Sunday Swing Group members will dress in period costumes; free.

Square dancing: Everett Senior Swingers, 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays, Everett Senior Center, 3025 Lombard Ave., Everett; 425-257-8780 or 425-334-2919.

Square dancing: Checkerboard Squares’ beginning and refresher lessons, 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays starting Jan. 7, 515 Dayton St., Edmonds; first lesson free; $5/person after that; 425-335-4671, 425-778-8472.

Square dancing: Sky Valley Whirlwinds Club dances 8 p.m. third Fridays September-April, pre-rounds 7:30 p.m., $5,TriWay Grange Hall, 35th and Seattle Hill, Mill Creek; 360-794-8240.

Square dancing: Whirlybirds Square Dance Club, dances 7:30 p.m. third Saturdays; lessons 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Hearing enhancement available, The Hayloft, 15320 35th Ave., Lynnwood; 425-745-1228, 425-513-1349.

Square dancing: Fern Bluff Squares, 6:30 to 9 p.m. second Saturdays, Cascade Grange, corner of U.S. 2 and Cascade View Drive, Sultan; Stephen Cole calling. Hearing enhancement available; 360-793-2848.

Tango lessons: With Ina and Jon Howe, 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Saturdays, small donation, Everett Senior Activity Center, 3025 Lombard Ave., Everett; 425-257-8780.

Seattle and south

Ballroom dance: Dancing with a live band, 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, $4, Northshore Senior Center, 10201 E. Riverside Drive, Bothell; 425-487-2441.

Century Ballroom: Salsa lessons, Thursdays, first Fridays, Saturdays, various times/prices; swing lessons 9 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays, various prices; tango lessons Tuesdays and second Fridays, various times/prices; 915 E. Pine St., Seattle; 206-324-7263, www.centuryballroom.com.

Square dancing: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Freewheelers Square Dance Club, beginning lessons for singles and couples; 7 to 10 p.m. first/third Sundays, mainstream dances for singles and couples. Richmond Masonic Center, N. 185th and Linden Ave. N., Shoreline; 425-337-5441, 425-514-0527, 425-673-0858.

Singles

Snohomish and Island counties

Everett Mountaineers Singles: Social group for singles; hiking, walks, dining, golf, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and dancing, second Wednesdays, Alfy’s, 9620 19th Ave. SE, Everett; e-mail singles@everettmountaineers.org.

Non Smoking Single 60s group: Bowling, card games, tours, movies, plays, dining out and potlucks; 425-335-5936, 425-357-1417.

Sno-Co Singles: Active social group for ages 40 and older; dining, dances, potlucks and games. Breakfast, 10 a.m. Saturdays, The Village Inn, 8525 Evergreen Way, Everett; Carmen, 425-710-0082.

Puget Sound Singles 45+: An assortment of interests to be shared with a variety of new friends. Breakfast, 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, Marson’s Restaurant at the Club, 620 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 777, Everett; 425-316-8052, Barbara or 425-359-0419, Sherry.

Museums

Snohomish and Island counties

Edmonds Historical Museum: 118 Fifth Ave. N., Edmonds City Hall, Edmonds; 425-774-0900, www.historicedmonds.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. $2, $1 children; group tours available. “The Changing Face of Edmonds” and “Our Maritime Heritage,” ongoing.

Future of Flight: 8415 Paine Field Blvd., Mukilteo; 800-464-1476, www.futureofflight.org. $15, $14 seniors/active military, $8 ages 15/under (must be 4 feet or taller), $9 gallery only, $4 gallery for ages 6-15. 11 a.m. Dec. 17, Santa arrives, admission is free, and hourly tours of the aviation center and Boeing plant will be given.

Granite Falls Historical Society Museum: 109 E. Union St., Granite Falls; 360-691-2603, www.gfhistory.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; free. Photographs of founding families, loggers and other workers, street scenes, landmarks, artifacts, clothing, household items and railroad/logging historical displays.

Island County Historical Museum: 908 NW Alexander, Coupeville; 360-678-3310, www.ichscpvl@whidbey.net. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through April. “Our Towns: A Look At Island County’s History” – mid-to-late 19th century to present Whidbey Island exhibit, through 2007.

Lake Stevens Historical Museum: 1802 124th Ave. NE, Lake Stevens; 425-334-1825. 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Exhibits: House built in 1903 by the Rucker brothers, city’s first residents, schools and more. 350 historical photographs on permanent display. Group tours by appointment.

Museum of Snohomish County History: 1913 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-259-2022, www.snocomuseum.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Current exhibit: “Industry on Parade: Early Enterprise in Snohomish County.” “Pastimes in Snohomish County,” through spring.

Stanwood Area History Museum: 27112 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood; 360-629-6110, www.sahs-fncc.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays. Historical exhibits at the museum and D.O. Pearson House. Current exhibit: “Steamers, Ships &Shorelines: A Historical Photograph Tour of Stanwood and Camano Island.”

Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum: 20722 67th Ave. NE, Arlington; 360-435-7289. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays; tours available for large groups/schools. Exhibits: A foot-powered machine said to be capable of milking 20 cows/hour, a pump organ that floated up the Stillaguamish River on canoes, and a one-room schoolhouse with accessories. Rent Pioneer Hall, built in 1923, for special events. Volunteers needed.

Skagit County and north

Skagit County Historical Museum: 501 Fourth St., La Conner; 360-466-3365, www.skagitcounty.net/museum. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. “Native treasures from the forest to the flats,” through Jan. 28.

Whatcom County Museum of History &Art: 121 Prospect St., Bellingham; 360-676-6981, www.whatcommuseum.org. All events free unless otherwise noted. 2 p.m. Dec. 16, Scot Ranney, jazz interpretations of holiday music; free. 12:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Hanukkah concert; free. “Bert Huntoon and the Mt. Baker Lodge,” through May 27.

Seattle and south

Burke Museum of Natural History &Culture: University of Washington, NE 45th Street and 17th Ave. NE, Seattle; 206-543-5590, www.burkemuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, to 8 p.m. first Thursdays. $8, $6.50 seniors, $5 students. 206-543-9681, burked@u.washington. Exhibits free with admission, unless otherwise noted. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 30, “Magic Lanterns and the birth of photography,” lectures, slide displays, and more. “A Celebration of Souls – Day of the Dead, Southern Mexico,” through Dec. 31. “Sacred portraits from Tibet,” through Feb. 4.

Children’s Museum: 305 Harrison St., Seattle; 206-441-1768, www.thechildrensmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $7.50, $6 grandparents. Kwanzaa, through Dec.15. Philippine Christmas, Dec. 16-22.Interactive Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit through Jan. 7, free with admission. Dunn Lumber Construction Zone, hands-on for kids, and Cog City: Physics and Fun, ongoing.

Museum of Flight: 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle; 206-764-5720, www.museumofflight.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Thursdays to 9 p.m. $14, $13 ages 65/over, $7.50 ages 5-17, free ages 4/under, groups of 10 or more adults $13, youth $6.50. Events free with admission unless otherwise noted. Family weekend workshops, “Leonardo da Vinci” interactive displays through Jan. 28. The Washington Aerospace Scholars program is accepting Washington state high school juniors’ applications through Dec. 20 for a January-May course that will use a NASA-designed curriculum, and will end with selected students earning a six-day summer residency trip; 206-764-5866, www.museumofflight.org/washingtonaerospacescholars, for applications.

Museum of History &Industry (MOHAI): 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle; 206-324-1126, www.seattlehistory.org. 1 to 4 p.m. weekends through Dec. 17, holiday family portraits can be taken on MOHAI’s Victorian sleigh. 7 p.m. Dec. 16, radio theater starring local celebrities, $15 advance or at door. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 17, family activities and seasonal refreshments. Norman Rockwell’s “Home for the Holidays” through Jan. 15.

Northwest Railway Museum: Depot at 38625 SE King St., Snoqualmie; 425-888-3030, www.trainmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays. Ongoing: 1890s depot with exhibits and bookstore.

Pacific Science Center: 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle; 206-443-2001, www.pacificsciencecenter.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $9.50, $7 seniors/kids; $8, $7; $14.50, $12.$5 Thursdays laser light shows; $7.50 Fridays and Saturdays laser light shows. Events included with admission unless otherwise noted. Permanent exhibits: Dinosaurs, tropical butterfly house, insect village, Tech Zone, Water Works. Boeing Imax Theater:The Ant Bully in 3D, Daily (no Mondays), 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Also showing Ride Around the World and Deep Sea 3D. Eames Imax Theater: 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 p.m. daily, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, Mysteries of Egypt and The Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Markets

Seattle and beyond

Ballard Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, year-round. 5300 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle; 206-781-6776, www.fremontmarket.com.

Pike Place Market: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays -Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, year-round. Pike Street and Pike Place, Seattle; www.pikeplacemarket.org.

University District Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays year-round. University Heights Center, corner of University Way NE and NE 50th, Seattle; 206-632-5234, www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org.

West Seattle Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 17. Alaska Junction, corner of Alaska and California, in the parking lot behind Key Bank; 206-632-5234, www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org.