Holiday happenings

It’s that time of year again, and there are plenty of seasonal events going on in the area. You’re sure to find something on this list that will help make your days merry and bright, whether a performance of a beloved classic like “The Nutcracker” or tips on where to buy gifts.

Give a little
Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” is accepting new, unwrapped toys in Redmond at Sonic Drive-In, Les Schwab Tire Store, Sherwin Williams, Walgreens, Ray’s Food Place, Big R and Bi-Mart.
Redmond Fire and Rescue/Salvation Army Toy & Food Drive is accepting new, unwrapped toys at the fire hall, 341 N.W. Dogwood Ave., or Redmond Greenhouse, 4101 S. U.S. Highway 97. Firefighters will be on hand to accept donations (including cash) Nov. 28 at the Redmond Wal-Mart, Dec. 5 at the Redmond Safeway and Dec. 12 at Grocery Outlet and Fred Meyer; all times are 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Redmond Chamber of Commerce Giving Tree, 444 S.W. 6th St. : Local Grounds hosts a lovely holiday tree festooned with gift tags containing the names of disadvantaged children and their Christmas wishes and needs. Wrapped gifts need to be returned by Dec. 14 to the chamber or Local Grounds.

Say 'eggnog’!
Have your photo taken with Santa and a live reindeer, $10; 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 12; Operation Santa Claus, 4355 S.W. Highway 126, Redmond. Proceeds benefit the Redmond Reign 18-U fastpitch softball team; 541-548-0718.
Does your dog love Santa? Have your pet’s photo taken with Santa Claus Nov. 28 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; free with donation to the Humane Society of Redmond; 1355 N.W. Hemlock Ave.; 541-923-0882.

Holiday entertainment
The Redmond School of Dance and Ballet Sage present “High Desert Nutcracker,” a contemporary ballet set in Central Oregon, complete with rockchucks, golfers and cowgirls (but with the traditional Tchaikovsky score); Dec. 5, 7 p.m.; Redmond High School Auditorium; tickets $5 at the school or at the door.
Redmond High School’s Marine JROTC members will be serving as ushers at the Central Oregon School of Ballet’s “Nutcracker” performances and will benefit from ticket sales. The 24th annual performances begin Dec. 5 with a 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. show, and continue Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. Saturday’s matinee offers free admission to the families of deployed military personnel. Adults $14-20, children under 12, $5-6; box office 541-390-5008.
Didn’t you know that “It’s a Wonderful Life”? The Redmond High School drama department presents the holiday classic as a 1946 live radio show, complete with on-stage sound effects and younger actors from Redmond’s middle schools in juvenile roles. Dec. 10-12 at 7 p.m., 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 12; tickets $5; Redmond High School Auditorium.
The Children’s Theater Company of Redmond presents its production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Dec. 10-12, 7 p.m., and Dec. 13, 2:30 p.m., at The Bridge Church of the Nazarene, 2398 W. Antler Ave., Redmond. The heart warming play centers around the Herdman family, probably the worst kids in the history of the world, as they take over the annual Christmas pageant. General admission is $3 per person. Reserved seating is $5 per person. Seating is limited. Information: 541-460-3024 or visit www.childrenstheatercompany.net.
Christmas Sing ’n’ Sweets, a blend of a musical presentation of the Christmas story, holiday carols and Christmas cookies, is hosted by Highland Baptist Church, 3100 S. W. Highland Ave.; Dec. 12, 7 p.m.; Dec. 13 , 4 and 6:30 p.m.; free, but reserved tickets are required; www.hbcredmond
.org; 541-548-4161.

For a good cause
A fine arts and handcrafts sale by members of the High Desert Society of the Arts will feature music, family arts and crafts classes and hot drinks; a raffle to benefit the HDSA student scholarship fund will be ongoing, and all proceeds from the sale assist the nonprofit art group. The sale will be held at 432 S.W. Sixth Street, weekdays Nov. 30—Dec. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends Nov. 27 from 2-6 p.m.; Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Nov. 29 from noon to 4 p.m., Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Dec. 5 from noon to 6 p.m.
Festival of the Trees, an annual fundraiser for Hospice of Redmond-Sisters, will be held in a new location this year, the Eagle Crest Event Center. The event features more than 30 decorated Christmas trees and wreaths available for bid, as well as music, raffles, refreshments and visits with Santa. Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. come browse the holiday décor and enjoy games and activities, free. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the gala auction; tickets are $30 for hors d’oeuvres, $50 for full dinner; 541-548-7483.
Children of all ages are invited to the Teddy Bear Tea Dec. 12 at Juniper Golf Course. Two seatings are available, at 10 a.m. and noon, for a visit with Santa, holiday tea, story time with Mrs. Claus and an appearance by the Cinnamon Bear. Tickets need to be purchased in advance at Hospice of Redmond-Sisters; adults, $8.50, children, $12.50; children must be accompanied by adult; 541-548-7483
St. Thomas Academy of Redmond will present its annual Starlite Gala on Dec. 11 at the Eagle Crest Convention Center; attendees will enjoy live entertainment, dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $60 per person; 541-548-3785.

All the rest
Crooked River Ranch kicks off the holidays Dec. 5 with an artist and craft bazaar at the Ranch Administration Building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a visit or photo, with hot chocolate and cookies. The Starlight Parade begins at 4 p.m., with hot drinks, popcorn and caroling around the bonfire afterwards. On Sunday, Dec. 6, the holiday bazaar continues and Santa will be back from noon to 3 p.m.
Downtown Redmond comes alive for the holidays, beginning at noon Nov. 27 with a 'charm stroll’ sponsored by local merchants: Bring a canned food item into any participating business to receive a map that leads to more unique winter-themed charms. A mailbox for letters to Santa will be unveiled Friday on Sixth Street and the annual Holiday Village Market on Seventh Street’s downtown plaza will open, with vendors featuring food and gifts of all kinds. The village will be open Nov. 28 and Dec. 4-5 as well, from noon to 6 p.m. On Dec. 4, downtown businesses will be open late with special activities as part of a series of “Home for the Holidays” events.
Redmond’s annual Starlight Parade begins at 5 pm. Nov. 28, traveling down Sixth Street from Dogwood to Forest avenues, followed by a tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. in the downtown plaza. An art walk will precede the parade from noon to 5 p.m. in downtown businesses.
Learn how to make professional holiday cakes and cookies from scratch in a class sponsored by the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District, Dec. 5 from 3-4:30 p.m. $25; 541-548-7275.
On Dec. 3, teens can create unique gifts with a holiday crafts class from 3:15-4:45 p.m. at the Redmond Library. Free, 541-312-1063.
Throughout the month of December, Eagle Crest Resort west of Redmond will turn on a “magical mile” of holiday lights, a dazzling display it calls StarFest. Weekends until Dec. 19 you can view the lights from a horse-drawn wagon, call 541-504-2316 for times and rates.