Bellevue

“The Nutcracker”

Ends Fri International Ballet Theatre presents Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, featuring Russian principal dancer Evgeny Lushkin of the St. Petersburg Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, 7 p.m. through Dec. 23, Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St. Tickets: $15-$35. (425-284-0444 or www.ticketwindowonline.com)

Design in Light

Ongoing Features five light sculptures, including a Gingerbread Lane and origami-style crane, open nightly at dusk through Jan. 1 along the Northeast Sixth Street pedestrian corridor in downtown Bellevue. (425-451-2455 or www.magicseason.com)

Snowflake Lane

Ends Sat Live toy soldiers perform precision synchronized drumming, with music and light show; 7 p.m. nightly through Dec. 23, with a farewell performance at 5 p.m. Dec. 24, outside Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square, Bellevue Way Northeast and Northeast Eighth Street. (425-454-8096 or www.bellevuesquare.com)

Anime and Manga Appreciation Club

Wed Preview anime series and help plan manga and anime events for the library; for ages 12-18; 3:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Lake Hills Library, 15228 Lake Hills Blvd. (425-747-3350 or www.kcls.org/lh/programs.cfm)

Book Discussion

Wed “Peace Like a River,” by Leif Enger, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 21, Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E. Jan. 18: “When Jesus Came to Harvard: Making Moral Choices Today,” by Harvey Gallagher Cox. (425-450-1765)

Garden d’Lights

Ongoing The Bellevue Botanical Garden Society annual flower garden of light sculpture, 5-9:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St. (425-451-3755 or www.bellevuebotanical.org)

Magic Season Ice Arena

Ongoing Covered open-air skating rink with a view of the park’s lighted waterfall, open daily through Jan. 1, hours vary (closed Dec. 25), Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St. Cost: $6-$8. (425-451-2455 or www.magicseason.com/events/info.htm”>www.magicseason.com/events/info.htm)

Santa’s Snowman Village

Ends Sat Visits and photos with Santa in his holiday village, through Dec. 24 during regular mall hours, Bellevue Square, Northeast Eighth Street and Bellevue Way Northeast. (425-454-8096 or www.bellevuesquare.com)

Singer-Songwriter Showcase

Thur Folk guitarist Matt Price, 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 22, Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 N.E. Eighth St. (425-644-1111 or www.crossroadsbellevue.com)

Late Night Music at Crossroads

Ongoing Live music, 7:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 N.E. Eighth St. Dec. 23: Uptown Swing Jingle Jazz. Dec. 30: Joe Jencks and Wes Weddell perform. No shows Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve. (425-644-1111 or www.crossroadsbellevue.com)

Birding the Hotspots

Mon A field trip to this month’s best birding location in King County, hosted by East Lake Washington Audubon Society, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 26. Meet before 9 a.m. at the north end of the Newport Hills Park & Ride, Lake Washington Boulevard Southeast and 113th Place Southeast. Cost: $2. (425-746-6351 or www.elwas.org/events)

Family Chanukah Celebration

Mon Celebrate the light and warmth of the Chanukah Menorah with music, dance, dreidles and chocolate gelt, 6 p.m. Dec. 26, Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 N.E. Eighth St. (425-957-7860 or www.chabadbellevue.org)

Chanukah on Wheels

Plan Ahead Holiday roller skating party, with music, games and food, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 28, Skate King, 2301 140th Ave. N.E. Cost: $5. (register: 425-957-7860 or www.chabadbellevue.org)

Teen Advisory Board

Plan Ahead Volunteers ages 12-18 are needed to help plan teen-related events; community service hours available; 3:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Lake Hills Library, 15228 Lake Hills Blvd. (425-747-3350 or www.kcls.org/lh/programs.cfm)

Family Chanukah Celebration

Plan Ahead Shabbat-Chanukah, with traditional menorah lighting followed by a latke dinner, sing-a-long and Israeli dancing, 6 p.m. Dec. 30, Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 N.E. Fourth St. Cost: $3-$5. (Reservations by Dec. 26: 425-603-9677 or www.templebnaitorah.org)

Shaarei Tikvah

Plan Ahead Community Chanukah celebration for those with developmental disabilities or mental illness, their families and friends, 4-6 p.m. Jan. 1, Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 N.E. Fourth St. (425-603-9677 or www.templebnaitorah.org)

Open Mike Night

Ongoing Opportunity for acoustic musicians to perform, 6-9 p.m., with 5:30 p.m. sign-up, first and third Thursdays, Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 N.E. Eighth St. (425-644-1111 or www.victorymusic.org)

Strategic Gaming Club

Plan Ahead Play and discuss role-playing games with other teens; for ages 12-19, 3-6:45 p.m. Jan. 5 and 19, Lake Hills Library, 15228 Lake Hills Blvd. (425-747-3350 or www.kcls.org/lh/programs.cfm)

Bothell

Jingle Bell Rock

Plan Ahead Clay Martin’s Puppet Theatre presents holiday music classics; for ages 4 and older with an adult, 2 p.m. Dec. 28, with free tickets available starting at 1 p.m., Bothell Regional Library, 18215 98th Ave. N.E. (425-486-7811 or www.kcls.org/bothell/programs.cfm)

Pancake Breakfast

Plan Ahead 8-11:30 a.m. Jan. 7 and 28, Northshore Senior Center, 10201 E. Riverside Drive. Cost: $4-$5. (425-487-2441)

Carnation

Yuletide Feasts

Ongoing Three-course 14th-century winter banquet and entertainment; medieval attire encouraged; 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 24, Dec. 30 and Jan 7, Camlann Medieval Village, 10320 Kelly Road N.E. Tickets: $40 per person; costume rentals available. (reservations: 425-788-8624 or www.camlann.org)

Swil Kanim

Plan Ahead Storytelling interwoven with violin, poetry and audience participation, 8-10 p.m. Jan. 7, Miller’s Community & Arts Center, 4597 Tolt Ave. (425-333-5007 or www.millersarts.com)

Issaquah

“Snapshots: A Musical Mosaic”

Ends Fri A box of old photos causes a middle-aged couple to re-examine their 30-year relationship; a Village Originals production; 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, through Dec. 23, First Stage Theatre, 120 Front St. N. Tickets: $20-$25. (425-392-2202 or www.villagetheatre.org)

“Cats”

Ongoing Village Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic Broadway musical, through Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays (except Dec. 31); 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays; no shows Dec. 24-25, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N. Tickets: $24-$48. (425-392-2202 or www.villagetheatre.org)

Reindeer Festival

Ends Fri Santa photos, stories read by elves, visits with the reindeer, arts and crafts, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Dec. 23, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th. Santa hours: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. Cost: $6.50-$9.50. (425-391-5508 or www.cougarmountainzoo.org)

Wintertime in Issaquah

Ongoing Exhibit features antique skis, sleds, ice skates, winter apparel, vintage holiday decorations and the 1910 Peltola sleigh, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and by appointment, through Mar. 31, Gilman Town Hall, 165 S.E. Andrews St. (425-392-3500 or www.issaquahhistory.org)

Strategy Games Club

Plan Ahead For students in grades 6-12; refreshments, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 30, Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way. (425-392-5430 or www.kcls.org/iss/event.cfm)

Opera Preview: “Die Fledermaus”

Plan Ahead Norm Hollingshead gives a lecture on Johann Strauss, Jr.’s comic operetta; includes musical exerpts, 7 p.m. Jan. 2, Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way (425-392-5430 or www.kcls.org/iss/event.cfm)

Kenmore

Daytime Book Discussion Group

Plan Ahead “Blue Flower,” by Penelope Fitzgerald, 1 p.m. Jan. 2, Kenmore Library, 18138 73rd Ave. N.E. Feb. 6: “A Thousand Acres,” by Jane Smiley. (425-486-8747 or www.kcls.org/kenm/programs.cfm)

Study Zone

Ongoing Free homework help from volunteer tutors for elementary, middle and high school students, 4-6 p.m. Mondays; 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Kenmore Library, 18138 73rd Ave. N.E. (425-486-8747 or www.kcls.org/studyzone)

Kirkland

Holiday Arts Sale

Ends Wed Ceramics, sculpture, glass work, prints, jewelry, paintings, photography, toys and candles created by instructors, resident artists and members, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. through Dec. 21, Kirkland Arts Center, 620 Market St. (425-822-7161 or www.kirklandartscenter.org)

Teen Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club

Wed “Summers at Castle Auburn” by Sharon Shinn, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Kingsgate Library, 12315 N.E. 143rd St. (425-821-7686 or www.kcls.org/kings/programs.cfm)

New Year’s Eve Party: Best of Comedy Underground

Plan Ahead Features Peggy Platt and other top stand-up performers from Seattle’s longest-running comedy club, followed by dancing, party favors, cash bar and Space Needle Countdown on the big screen, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31, Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. Tickets: $15-$20. (425-893-9900 or www.kpcenter.org)

Mother-Daughter Book Club

Plan Ahead “Ida B…. and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World,” by Katherine Hannigan; for daughters ages 10-12, 7 p.m. Jan. 3, Kingsgate Library, 12315 N.E. 143rd St. (425-821-7686 or www.kcls.org/kings/programs.cfm)

Opera Preview: “Die Fledermaus”

Plan Ahead Norm Hollingshead gives a lecture on Johann Strauss, Jr.’s comic operetta; includes musical exerpts, 7 p.m. Jan. 3, Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave. (425-822-2459 or www.kcls.org/kirk/programs.cfm)

Study Zone

Ongoing Free homework help from volunteer tutors for elementary, middle and high school students, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays; 2-4 p.m. Sundays, Kingsgate Library, 12315 N.E. 143rd St. (425-821-7686 or www.kcls.org/studyzone)

Medina

New Year’s Eve Gala

Plan Ahead Live music from jazz to opera followed by dessert and champagne, 7 p.m. Dec. 31, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8398 N.E. 12th St. Tickets: $10 suggested donation. (425-454-9541 or www.stthomasmedina.org)

Mercer Island

Holiday Art Show

Ongoing Mixed media works and gift items by island artists, including textiles, pottery, paintings, jewelry and paper art, through Jan. 6, Mercer Island Chamber Art Gallery, 7605 S.E. 27th St., Ste. 109. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and by appointment. (206-232-3404)

Open Book Club

Thur “Babbit,” by Sinclair Lewis, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Island Books, 3014 78th Ave. S.E. (206-232-6920 or www.mercerislandbooks.com)

North Bend

Movies @ the North Bend Library

Thur “A Christmas Story,” 2 p.m. Dec. 22, 115 E. Fourth St. Dec. 29: “Castle in the Sky.” (425-888-0554 or www.kcls.org/nbend/programs.cfm)

First Tuesdays Book Group

Plan Ahead “A Thousand Days in Venice,” by Marlena De Blasi, 7 p.m. Jan. 3, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. (425-888-0554 or www.kcls.org/nbend/programs.cfm)

B’Tween the Pages Book Group

Plan Ahead “Flipped,” by Wendelin Van Draanen; for ages 10-14, 4 p.m. Jan. 4, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. Feb. 1: “Treasure Island,” by Robert Louis Stevenson at Snoqualmie Library. (425-888-0554 or www.kcls.org/nbend/programs.cfm)

Redmond

Holiday Light Train

Ends Sat Train ride to view light displays, through Dec. 24, hours vary, leaving from Kids Row, Redmond Town Center, 16495 N.E. 74th St. Cost: $2. (425-867-0808 or www.redmondtowncenter.com/calendar)

Santa Visits and Photos

Ends Sat Through Dec. 24, Redmond Town Center, 16495 N.E. 74th St. Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Cost: $19-$42 for photos. (425-867-0808 or www.redmondtowncenter.com)

Sounds of the Season

Ends Sat Musical entertainment for the season by local and regional performers, daily (hours vary) through Dec. 24, Center Street Plaza, Redmond Town Center, 16495 N.E. 74th St. (425-867-0808 or www.redmondtowncenter.com)

“Christmas Bursts into Beauty”

Ends Sat Christmas story pageant, with inspirational music, dancers and live animals, 7 p.m. through Dec. 22; 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 23-24; 11:30 p.m. Dec. 24, Washington Cathedral, 12300 Red-Wood Road N.E. Free, tickets required. (425-869-5433 or www.wacathedral.org)

Chanukah Celebration

Tues Holiday message, menorah lighting and chocolate gelt, 6 p.m. Dec. 27, Redmond Town Center, 16495 N.E. 74th St. (425-957-7860 or www.chabadbellevue.org)

Opera Preview: “Die Fledermaus”

Tues Norm Hollingshead gives a lecture on Johann Strauss, Jr.’s comic operetta; includes musical exerpts, 7 p.m. Dec. 27, Redmond Regional Library, 15990 N.E. 85th St. (425-885-1861 or www.kcls.org/red/redprog.cfm)

Old Fire House Concerts

Plan Ahead All ages venue, with local performers, 8 p.m., Old Fire House Teen Center, 16510 N.E. 79th St. Cost: $6. Dec. 30: The Fall of Troy, Akimbo and Schoolyard Heroes. (425-556-2389 or www.theoldfirehouse.org)

Evening Book Discussion

Plan Ahead “Middlesex,” by Jeffrey Eugenides, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Redmond Regional Library, 15990 N.E. 85th St. Feb. 2: “The Namesake,” by Jhumpa Lahiri.(425-885-1861 or www.kcls.org/red/redprog.cfm)

Los Santos Reyes Festival

Plan Ahead Features a children’s play depicting the story of the three kings, live Mariachi music, traditional Mexican dancing and food, 5-7 p.m. Jan. 7, Redmond High School, 17272 N.E. 104th St. Free tickets required. Tickets available at the Old Redmond School House Community Center, 16600 N.E. 80th St. (425-556-2299 or www.redmond.gov)

Renton

Clam Lights

Ongoing Illumination of the season’s colorful light displays, 6-8 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N (425-430-6600 or www.ci.renton.wa.us)

Master Gardeners at the Library

Ongoing King County master gardeners will be available for questions 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. S.E. (425-226-0522 or www.kcls.org/fair/programs.cfm)

Study Zone

Ongoing Free homework help from volunteer tutors for elementary, middle and high school students, 5-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. S.E. (425-226-0522 or www.kcls.org/studyzone)

Sammamish

Sammamish Book Discussion Group

Wed Share the book of your choice, 7 p.m. Dec. 21, Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave. N.E. Jan. 18: “Under the Banner of Heaven,” by Jon Krakauer. (425-836-8793 or www.kcls.org/samm/programs.cfm)

Teen Book Discussion Group

Plan Ahead “The Conch Bearer,” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and pizza; for students in grades 6-9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 3, Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave. N.E. (425-836-8793 or www.kcls.org/samm/programs.cfm)

Snoqualmie

Study Zone

Ongoing Free homework help from volunteer tutors for elementary, middle and high school students, 4-6 p.m. Thursdays, Snoqualmie Library, 38580 S.E. River St. (425-888-1223 or www.kcls.org/studyzone)

Woodinville

Festival of Poinsettias

Ends Sat Fifty varieties of poinsettias in many colors, Garden Cafe, trees, wreaths, decorations, holiday photo backdrops, plant seminars, children’s activities, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, through Dec. 24. Molbak’s, 13625 N.E. 175th St. (425-483-5000 or www.molbaks.com)

Woodinville Light Festival

Ends Fri Holiday light displays illuminated 6-9 p.m. daily through Dec. 23, downtown Woodinville, 133rd Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 175th and 171st Streets. (425-984-2346 or www.ci.woodinville.wa.us)

Poetry Reading and Open Mike

Plan Ahead PoetsWest featured readers Joel Kabakov, Anna Otto, J. Andrew Rodriguez, followed by open mike readings, 7 p.m. Dec. 28, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 18025 Garden Way N.E. (206-682-1268 or www.poetswest.com/venues.htm)

Compiled by Nyssa Rogers

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