Upcoming events for families in Snohomish County and nearby

Published 1:30 am Thursday, December 7, 2017

HOLIDAY JOY

The Lights of Christmas: Open 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 7-10, 14-17, 19-23, 26-30 at Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood. Tickets and more information at www.thelightsofchristmas.com or call 360-652-7575. More than 1 million Christmas lights, dazzling displays, live music, theater, pony rides, food, Santa, Bruce the Spruce and more.

Arlington Nativity Festival: Hundreds of nativity scenes from around the world are displayed at this free event 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 8-10, Arlington Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 17222 43rd Ave. NE, Arlington. Arlington High School choirs sing on Dec. 10 beginning at 4 p.m. and the stake’s choirs follow.

The 17th Christmas Spectacular: The Dorothy Jayne Foundation presents this community celebration at 6 p.m. Dec. 16, Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave. Benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information about performers (who include dancers, actors and musicians) and admission, go to www.thechristmasspectacular.com.

Woodland Park Zoo: 5500 Phinney Ave. N. More at www.zoo.org. The zoo’s WildLights are on from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, except for Dec. 24-25. Star Wars theme night with galactic lights is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Admission is $9.95 for teens and adults, $7.95 for children and freefor toddlers. Enter through west entrance on Phinney Avenue N. Parking $6.

Bellevue Botanical Garden: The garden’s 23rd annual winter wonderland called Garden d’Lights is displayed 4:30 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 31, 12001 Main St., Bellevue. Admission is $5, free for ages 10 and younger.

Seattle Aquarium: See Santa dive in the 120,000-gallon tank at the aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, at noon and 3 p.m. Dec. 9-11, 16-18 and 23-24. At noon only on Dec. 24. Bring your camera to get a picture with Santa while staying dry. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For a schedule of activities, go to www.seattleaquarium.org.

FUN & GAMES

Middle School Madness: Middle schoolers in grades 6, 7 and 8 are invited to Rosehill Community Center 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 8 for a free event that includes music, a movie, pizza and cookies. The inaugural middle school takeover event is put on by the city’s Recreation and Cultural Services Department. The center is at 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo. Call 425-263-8186.

Winterfest: Cama Beach State Park has activities throughout December such as guided hikes, starlight low tide beach walks, music and zombies at the park, 1880 SW Camano Drive, Camano Island. Activities take place at various times on Dec. 15, 16, 23, 30 and 31. A Discover Pass is required for day-use visits to the park. More at www.camabeachfoundation.org/winterfest.html.

Imagine Children’s Museum: Located at 1502 Wall St., Everett. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Each third Friday of the month are free admission nights. Play indoors from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at no cost. More at imaginecm.org or 425-258-1006. For holders of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards, the museum admits four people for $3 each per card per visit.

ART & CULTURE

Schack Art Center: 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett; 425-259-5050. Teen Night is 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14. Teen Nights are monthly free events where teens learn new art techniques while creating up to four art projects. Guest artists and projects are announced a few weeks before each event, Feb. 15, March 15, April 19 and May 10. Go to www.schack.org to learn more.

Museum of Pop Culture: The museum (formerly EMP) at the Seattle Center, 325 Fifth Ave. N., has current exhibits about science fiction and fantasy, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Star Trek, indie games, the Seattle Seahawks, horror films and more. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More at www.mopop.org. Featured is the Jim Henson Exhibition — Imagination Unlimited.

Museum of History & Industry: Located at 860 Terry Ave., at the south end of Lake Union, Seattle. The It’s Raining Cats and Dogs exhibit, which runs through May 31, takes a closer look at the history of Puget Sound through the stories of cats and dogs. Guaranteed fun for animal lovers. More information is available at mohai.org.

Hibulb Cultural Center: Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; noon to 5 p.m. weekends. Free first Thursdays until 8 p.m.; 6410 23rd Ave. NE, Tulalip; 360-716-2635; www.hibulbculturalcenter.org.

GO-SEE-DO

Paine Field: The Snohomish County Airport is home to several aviation attractions, including the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour, Historic Flight Foundation and the Museum of Flight Restoration Center. Find information at www.painefield.com/9/Visiting.

The Reptile Zoo: 22715 U.S. 2, east of Monroe. Get hands-on with lizards, snakes, an albino alligator and other reptiles. More information at www.thereptilezoo.org.

FAST & COOL

High Trek Adventures: An aerial ropes course and zip lines at Paine Field Community Park, 11928 Beverly Park Road, Everett. Three levels of difficulty with 60 different obstacles. Longest zip line travels 250 feet. For ages 4 and up. More at www.hightrekeverett.com.

Xfinity Community Ice Rink: Skate on an NHL regulation ice sheet. Cheap skate times are 6 to 7:15 p.m. Monday, Thurday and Sunday, and open to skaters of all skill levels and interests. Group rates and punch cards available. Military discount is $1 off admission price. The ice rink is ajacent to the main Xfinity Arena, at 2000 Hewitt Ave., Suite 200, Everett. Call 425-322-2653 or go to www.xfinityarenaeverett.com for more.

Lynnwood Ice Center: Public ice skating sessions are offered at various times seven days a week at the ice skating rink, 19803 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Call 425-640-9999. More at lynnwoodicecenter.com.

To have an event listed, submit the details to abrown@heraldnet.com.