Adopt a Senior Pet Month

ONGOING Adoption fees waived on cats and dogs ages 7 and older through November, Seattle Humane Society, 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue (425-641-0080 or seattlehumane.org).

Benefits

Providence O'Christmas Trees

MON-WED Display of 16 designed trees to be auctioned, proceeds benefit seniors and hospice patients served by Providence Health & Services' Senior and Community Services, The Westin Seattle, 1900 Fifth Ave., Seattle (206-938-2788 or www2.providence.org/kingcounty/giving/providence-o-christmas-trees);

• Christmas Carnival, Santa, kids' activities and entertainment, craft projects for kids, noon-8 p.m. Monday, free admission.

• Silver Bells Luncheon, holiday attire fashion show for men and women featuring models and residents of Providence Senior and Community Services facilities, 11 a.m. Tuesday; $60 by reservation;

• Gala Dinner and Auction, 5 p.m. Wednesday, $300, by reservation.

Junior League Bachelor Auction

WED Community fundraiser, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 1927 Event Space, 1927 Third Ave., Seattle; $25-$50 (www.jrleagueseattle.org).

World AIDS Day Breakfast

PLAN AHEAD Benefits five nonprofits that provide HIV prevention and care in the Seattle area, 7:30 a.m. Nov. 30, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle; free, donation encouraged, preregistration required (www.strongertogetherseattle.org).

Hutch Holiday Gala

PLAN AHEAD Black-tie dinner, auction, entertainment to benefit Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 6 p.m. Dec. 1, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, Seattle; $500 (206-667-6680 or www.fhcrc.org/gala).

Dance

Emerald City Contra Dance

FRI Beginners' workshop, 7 p.m., dancing with live music and caller, no partner necessary, don't wear scented products, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $5-$8 (206-440-9839 or seattledance.org/contra/emeraldcity).

Sno-King International

Folk Dance Club

SAT Folk-dance lesson, international folk dancing: 7 p.m. Saturday, Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood; $5-$7 (425-385-2088 or sno-king.org).

Food events

Thanksgiving Weekend

Wine Tour

FRI-SUN Wine tasting at seven wineries, noon-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Bainbridge Island; tasting fee at some locations (www.BainbridgeWineries.com).

Hiking/walks

Turkey Trot, Edmonds

SAT Sound Steppers Volkssport 10K (6.2 miles) or 5K walk, start anytime 8 a.m.-noon, finish by 3 p.m. Saturday, Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds; free (www.esva.org).

Afternoon on the Trails

SAT Trails open for self-guided exploration, maps and suggestions for routes available; no dogs, 1 p.m. Saturday, IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. N.E., Bainbridge Island; free (206-855-4384 or islandwood.org/events/afternoon-on-the-trails-at-islandwood).

Museum events

Mammal Collection Tours

SAT Tour the Burke's mammals collection and learn how we do taxidermy and clean skeletons and see some of the Burke's 55,000 mammal specimens, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle; $7.50-$10, preregister (206-543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org).

North Pole Party

SAT Visit with Santa, story times with Mrs. Claus, 9:40 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; tree lighting, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Imagine Children's Museum, 1502 Wall St., Everett; $9 (425-258-1006 or www.imaginecm.org).

Gingerbread Jamboree

SAT-SUN Children's Museum of Tacoma host gingerbread house building, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Hotel Murano, Tacoma; $40/family of four, by reservation (253-627-6031, Ext. 236, or www.playtacoma.org).

Festivals of Light, Seattle Children's Museum

ONGOING Kid-sized home, crafts explore winter holiday celebrations around the world through Jan. 6, including Diwali, Friday through Monday; Hanukkah, Tuesday-Dec. 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Seattle Children's Museum, Seattle Center, Seattle; $6-$7.50 (206-441-1768 or www.thechildrensmuseum.org/fol).

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs

ONGOING Display of more than 100 objects from King Tut's tomb and treasures from 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, hours vary through Jan. 6, 2013, Pacific Science Center, Seattle; $15.50-$32.50, timed ticket entry, reservations strongly recommended (800-664-8775 or www.pacificsciencecenter.org).

Winters of Yesteryear

ONGOING Display of vintage sleds, skis, ice skates and photographs, 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays through Jan. 27, Historical Museum, 118 Fifth Ave. N., Edmonds; $2-$5 (historicedmonds.org).

LeMay — America's Car Museum Food Drive

THRU NOV. 30 Food drive, $2 off admission with donation of two cans of food, free admission for ages 12 and younger with donation of two cans of food, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through November (closed Nov. 22), LeMay — America's Car Museum, 2702 East D St., Tacoma; regular admission $8-$14 (www.lemaymuseum.org).

Family Adventures in Invention

PLAN AHEAD Engineer an invention using simple computer programming, 6 p.m. Nov. 30, KidsQuest Children's Museum, Bellevue; $20-$25, preregister (www.kidsquestmuseum.org).

Park events

Piper's Creek Salmon Celebration

FRI-SUN Celebration of Seattle's largest spawning-salmon run with activities, information, hot beverages, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, see salmon returning to spawn, activities 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Dec. 9, Carkeek Park, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Road, Seattle (206-615-0697 or www.seattle.gov/parks).

Great Migration Ranger Program

SAT Ranger walk to learn the adventures of migrating birds and animals, 2 p.m. Saturday, Lake Hills Greenbelt, 15416 S.E. 16th St., Bellevue; free (425-452-6993).

Arboretum Walk

SUN Guided tour to explore ancient trees, 1 p.m. Sunday, Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle; free, call to confirm event (206-543-8800 or www.uwbotanicgardens.org).

Volunteer Park Conservatory

PLAN AHEAD Wreath-making classes, 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 1; Volunteer Park Conservatory, Seattle; $30, reservations required (206-322-4112 or www.volunteerparkconservatory.org).

Running

Seattle Marathon

SUN Marathon 26.2-mile walk, 7:15 a.m.; half marathon 13.1-mile run, 7:30 a.m.; half marathon walk, 7:45 a.m., marathon run, 8:15 a.m. Nov. 25, on rolling course with hilly sections and scenic views, no animals, bikes or strollers allowed on the course, Seattle; $130-$140; last chance to register at Expo with exhibits and vendors, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, The Westin Seattle (www.seattlemarathon.org).

Sales/Bazaars

Native Holiday Gift Fair

FRI Native artist vendors, fry bread, celebrating November 23rd is National Native American Heritage Day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center, 4705 W. Marginal Way S.W., Seattle (206-431-1582 or www.duwamishtribe.org).

Trunk Show at Chihuly Garden and Glass

FRI Seven local artists, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Center, Seattle; free, museum admission not required (chihulygardenandglass.com).

Holiday Art Sale

FRI-SAT Glass, jewelry, painting, wood and sculpture by local artists, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 S. Main St., Seattle (206-328-2200 or www.pratt.org/happenings/holidayartsale.html).

Handmade Holiday Show

FRI-SAT Arts and crafts from 100 vendors, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle (etsyrain.com/shows/etsyrain-2012-handmade-holiday-show).

Ballard Writers Collective Big Event

SAT Book and craft sale, presentations by local authors, 1-7 p.m. Saturday, Sunset Hill Community Hall, 3003 N.W. 66th St., Seattle; free (www.ballardwriters.org).

Cedar Park Christian School Holiday Gift Show

SAT Craft vendors, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Cedar Park Church, 16300 112th Ave. N.E., Bothell; free (425-263-7226 or cedarpark.smartevents.com).

Daybreak Star Indian Fine Arts Show & Art Mart

SAT-SUN Indian arts and crafts vendors, salmon lunch, Indian tacos, dance groups, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Daybreak Star Cultural Center, 3801 W. Government Way, Discovery Park, Seattle; free (206-228-1410 or www.unitedindians.org/events003.html).

Winter Holiday

Ceramic Art Sale

SAT-SUN Variety of work by 35 ceramic artists, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Columbia Winery, 14030 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville (425-681-4157 or www.nonstopclay.com).

Seasonal

Holiday Parade

FRI Floats, marching bands, drill teams and Santa, 9 a.m., from Seventh Avenue and Pine Street, ending at Fourth Avenue and Pine Street; Seattle (www.holidaysinseattle.com).

Macy's Star and Westlake Center Holiday Tree Lighting

FRI Holiday star lighting at Macy's, tree-lighting ceremony, fireworks (weather permitting), 4:45 p.m., Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., Seattle (www.holidaysinseattle.com).

Holiday Carousel

FRI-JAN. 1 Carousel, benefits Treehouse for foster kids, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 23-29, hours vary through Jan. 1, times subject to change due to weather and other conditions, Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle; suggested donation $2 (www.holidaysinseattle.com).

Pacific Place Winter Wonderland

FRI-DEC. 31 Musical performances and snow shows, 6 p.m. daily, Friday through Dec. 31, Pacific Place Mall, 600 Pine St., Seattle (www.pacificplaceseattle.com).

Seattle Center Winterfest

FRI-JAN. 6 Winter Train and Village display, entertainment including Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, 12:30 p.m. Friday; Seattle Men's Chorus, 12:30 p.m. Saturday; Armory/Center House, Seattle Center, Seattle (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com);

• Winterfest Ice Rink indoor ice skating, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays through Jan. 6, Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center; $7/adults, $5/ages 6-12, $2/ages 5 and younger, includes skate rental, cash only.

Santa at the Space Needle

FRI-DEC. 24 Santa and his elves meet kids at the Observation Deck, kids' craft station, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 2-3, 8-9, 15-16, 20-24, Space Needle, Seattle; $12-$19 (www.thespaceneedle.com).

Bellevue Magic Season

FRI-DEC. 31 Snowflake Lane, snowfall, live toy soldiers and winter characters, music, light show, 7 p.m. daily on Northeast Eighth Street at Bellevue Place, then on Bellevue Way to Macy's; Jingle Belles Stage nightly dance performances, in the pedestrian walkway between The Westin Bellevue and Bellevue Arts Museum; Little Princess Court for young children with Snowflake Lane Princesses and elves, off Bellevue Way between Cheesecake Factory and Blue C Sushi; Snowstorm Stages percussion shows, on the corner of Northeast Eighth Street and Bellevue Way and in Fountain Court of Bellevue Square (www.magicseason.com).

• Bellevue Ice Arena, open-air ice skating rink, food concessions, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 3-9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 1-9 p.m. Wednesday, 3-9 p.m. Nov. 29, 3-11 p.m. Nov. 30, hours vary daily through Jan. 13; Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; $10 includes skate rental, two skate for the price of one Tuesdays;

• Garden d'Lights, light sculpture flowers, animal characters, 5-10 p.m., last entry 9:30 p.m., Saturday through Dec. 31, Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue; $5, ages 10 and younger free; advance ticket purchase recommended; free Nov. 26-29, Dec. 3-6 (425-452-6844 or www.gardendlights.org).

Magic in The Market

SAT Dickens Carolers and Great Figgy Pudding caroling teams perform, merchants have extended hours, 1-8 p.m.; tree lighting and parade through the Arcade with Santa, 5 p. m. Saturday, Pike Place Market, Seattle (www.pikeplacemarket.org).

Holiday Lights at Lake Union Park

SAT Holiday craft activities, music, launch of Argosy Christmas Ship parade, 1-8 p. m. Saturday, South Lake Union Park, Seattle (www.mohai.org).

Picture Yourself with Santa

SAT Welcome Santa with music, games and prizes, 1 p.m. Saturday, Marketplace at Factoria, 4055 Factoria Mall, Bellevue (www.marketplaceatfactoria.com).

Sing Along Sound of Music & Holiday Tree Lighting

SAT Sing along with the original 1965 movie on the big screen, costumes encouraged, 2 p.m. Saturday, $24; Holiday Tree lighting in the lobby, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, free and open to the public, Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma; $24 (253-591-5894 or www.broadwaycenter.org).

Edmonds Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

SAT Cider, cookies, carols and Santa's arrival, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Centennial Plaza, Fifth Avenue and Bell Street, Edmonds (425-670-1496 or www.edmondswa.com).

North Pole Party

SAT Visit with Santa, story times with Mrs. Claus, 9:40 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; tree lighting, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Imagine Children's Museum, 1502 Wall St., Everett; $9 (425-258-1006 or www.imaginecm.org).

Holiday Tea/Arrival of Father Christmas

SAT Tea in 1888 schoolhouse, seatings on the hour noon-5 p.m., free, donations to Lake Conner Boys & Girls Club requested, reservations required; meet Father Christmas, photos available or take your own, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Christianson's Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon (360-466-3821 or www.christiansonsnursery.com).

Santa Train

SAT-SUN Holiday train excursion and Santa Claus visit, hourly 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 14-15, Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie; $20, advance purchase recommended, space limited (425-888-3030 or www.trainmuseum.org).

Seattle Holiday Lights Tour

SAT-DEC. 30 40-minute tour of downtown Seattle lights, Saturday through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-30, 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle; $5-$15, reservations recommended, walk-ups welcome if space available (206-441-3825 or 800-817-1116 or www.ridetheducksofseattle.com).

A Victorian Country Christmas

WED-DEC. 2 Holiday entertainment, vendors, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 2, Puyallup Fair and Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup; $8-$10 (253-841-5045 or www.avictoriancountrychristmas.com).

The Lights of Christmas

NOV. 29-DEC. 29 Lights displays, entertainment on five stages, Polar Express train rides, pony rides, nativity, petting farm, vendors, 5-10 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 2, Dec. 6-9, 13-16, 18-23, 26-29; overnight accommodations available, Warm Beach Christian Camps & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood; $9-$15, pay what you can Nov. 29, Dec. 13, 29 (www.warmbeach.com/index.php//lights-of-christmas).

Nativity Exhibit

NOV. 30-DEC. 2 Exhibit of 700 nativities from many cultures, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 2, Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 12509 27th Ave. N.E., Seattle; free (www.nativityexhibitnw.org).

Teddy Bear Suite

ONGOING Holiday teddy bears, festive décor, storybooks, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, through Dec. 24, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle; free, donations to Seattle Children's Hospital suggested (www.holidaysinseattle.com).

Gingerbread Village

ONGOING Gingerbread castles by Seattle architecture firms and Sheraton culinary staff, Tuesday-Jan. 1, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, 1400 Sixth Ave., Seattle; free, donations for Northwest Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation requested (www.sheratonseattle.com/gingerbreadvillage).

WildLights at

Woodland Park Zoo

ONGOING Light sculptures of wild animals and destinations around the world, carousel, reindeer visits, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday through Dec. 23, Dec. 26-Jan. 1, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $6.50-$9.50 by online advance purchase, night of event sale if space available; ages 2 and younger free (www.zoo.org/wildlights).

Zoolights, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

ONGOING Lights and light sculptures, South Pacific Aquarium, camel rides, carousel, 5-9 p.m. daily through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 24), Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma; $7.25-$15.75 (253-591-5337 or pdza.org).

Cut your own Christmas tree, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

ONGOING Permits available to cut a tree in national forest lands in Pierce, King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties, maps, information and permits available at REI, Seattle and Lynnwood, and at Forest Service offices and Ranger Stations in Sedro-Woolley, Glacier, Darrington, Granite Falls, Skykomish, North Bend and Enumclaw; hours vary, weekends only at some locations; $10-$20, credit cards accepted at Alderwood REI only; Sno-Park parking permit required in designated lots (www.fs.usda.gov/mbs).

Choose and cut tree farms

ONGOING Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association information available online (www.nwchristmastrees.org).

Travel events

Europe Through the Back Door

SAT Travel in Spain, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Edmonds Theater, 415 Main St., Edmonds; free, preregistration required (425-771-8303, Ext. 298, or www.ricksteves.com).

Walking Adventures

WED Information on 2013 travel adventures, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island; free, preregister (800-779-0353).