FRI-SUN Kitten adoptions $50 each, two for $90, Friday-Sunday only; Santa Paws photos, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, adoption fees waived on cats one year and older through December; 11 a.m.-8 p.m Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays-Wednesdays, Seattle Humane Society, 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue (425-641-0080 or seattlehumane.org).

SAT Cats and kittens from Seattle Animal Shelter foster homes ready for adoption, $45-$135, noon Saturday, Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W., Seattle (206-386-7387 or www.seattleanimalshelter.org).

SAT-SUN Eagle viewing information, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through January, guided walks, 11 a.m., speakers, 1 p.m. most weekends, Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport; free, donations appreciated (360-853-7626 or www.skagiteagle.org).

ONGOING Meet Santa and reindeer, animal exhibits, gift shop, snack shop, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 26-30, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah; $10.50-$12.50 (www.cougarmountainzoo.org).

FRI Bingo, dinner, entertainment, 6 p.m. Friday, Southeast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S. Holly St., Seattle; $17-$20 (206-722-0317 or www.sessc.org).

SAT Auction, dinner, 5 p.m. Saturday, Marriott Hotel, SeaTac, 3201 S. 176th St., SeaTac; $70 (www.gpseattle.org/auction).

SAT Thousands of cookies by local bakeries and culinary schools, benefits Seattle Milk Fund charity for families, 9 a.m. Saturday, Macy’s, 1601 Third Ave., Seattle; $15/dozen (800-786-2665).

SAT Ethiopian dinner, entertainment, auction, 6 p.m. Saturday, Kings Hall, 2929 27th Ave. S., Seattle; $35 (425-281-8013 or www.ethiopiareads.org/openhearts).

TUE Dinner, craft activities, lantern lit nature walk, 6:30 p.m.; luminaria to bonfire at the beach, Christmas Ships, 8:25 p.m. Tuesday, Seward Park Audubon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle; $15-$50 (206-652-2444 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

FRI Folk dancing with live music, 8 p.m. Friday, Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood; $10, kids free (206-784-7470 or www.skandia-folkdance.org).

ONGOING Winter Train and Village display, entertainment, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Seattle Center Armory, free; indoor ice skating, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center; $7/adults, $5/ages 6-12, $2/ages 5 and younger, includes skate rental, cash only (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com).(206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com).

ONGOING 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, Bellevue; Bellevue; open-air ice skating, 3-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 3-9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 1-9 p.m. Wednesday, 3-9 p.m. Dec. 13, hours vary through Jan. 13, Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; $10 with skate rental, $7 with your own skates (www.magicseason.com).

FRI-SAT Washington Beer Commission hosts 32 Washington craft breweries, 5-9 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way NW, Seattle; $25-$30 (washingtonbeer.com).

SAT Performances by school bands and choirs, breakfast, holiday photos, craft sale, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Mountlake Terrace High School, 21801 44th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace; $7-$10 (425-478-1989 or www.mthsbands.org).

SAT Santa, pancakes, music, 8:45 and 10 a.m. Saturday, Boys & Girls Club EX3 Teen Center, 825 228th Ave. N.E., Sammamish; $5-$10 (425-392-8905 or sammamishkiwanis.org/UserFiles/Forms/2012SantaFlyer.pdf).

SAT Meet Tom Douglas, sale of signed “The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook,” samples, 1 p.m. Saturday, Whole Foods Market Lynnwood, 2800 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood; free (wholefoodsmarket.com/events?store=6607).

SAT Sample 2008 Reserve Sangiovese, current and vintage wines, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Whidbey Island Winery, 5237 Langley Road, Langley; $5 (360-221-2040 or www.whidbeyislandwinery.com).

SAT-SUN Cookies for kids from Mrs. Claus, noon-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Country Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell; free (www.countryvillagebothell.com).

SUN Chocolate cake, cheesecake, candy, 3 p.m. Sunday, ART Restaurant & Lounge, 99 Union St., Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle; $12-$20, reservations required (206-749-7070 or www.artrestaurantseattle.com).

SUN Jazz trio, treats, cookie decorating, photos with Santa, 1 p.m. Sunday, The Woodmark, 1200 Carillon Point, Kirkland; $20-$45 by advance purchase (woodmarksantatea2012.eventbrite.com).

ONGOING Tea, sweets, finger sandwiches, noon daily, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle; $25-$55 by reservation (206-621-7889 or www.fairmont.com/seattle/dining/thegeorgiantea).

PLAN AHEAD In the tradition of events at Frederick & Nelson store, Strolling Minstrels, Santa, benefits Arthritis Foundation, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 16, 22, 23, Sheraton Seattle Hotel, Seattle; $25-$55 by reservation (206-547-1290 or SantaBreakfasts.kintera.org).

SAT Visit as many as you can of 30 downtown checkpoints as you can in two hours, team or solo, 10 a.m. Saturday, register 8:30 a.m., Pike Place Market, 1501 Pike Place, Seattle; $20-$40 (www.streetscramble.com).

SAT Volkssport 10K (6.2 miles) or 5K walks around Capitol campus, Capitol Lake, downtown Olympia, flashlights recommended, start anytime 3-6 p.m., finish by 9 p.m. Saturday, United Churches, 110 11th Ave. S.E., Olympia; free (www.esva.org).

SAT Single round elimination with prizes, noon Saturday, Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave., Seattle; $5-$15 (206-686-6684 or www.manaloneproductions.com).

SAT Historical miniature display of Redmond, 1-3 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 15, Redmond United Methodist Church, 16540 N.E. 80th St., Redmond; free (425-883-7553).

MON How to record the voices/stories of relatives and friends for genealogy, 7 p.m. Monday, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island; $5 (www.jgsws.org/meetings.php).

FRI Journey through globalized food system failures, 7 p.m. Friday, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle; $5 at the door (206-543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org/events/browse/our_food_our_right).

SAT-SUN Family gingerbread house building, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Center, Seattle; $42-$45 (www.chihulygardenandglass.com).

SAT-SUN Activities, explore toys and games, crafts, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Dec., guided tours 1 p.m. Saturdays, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle; $7.50-$10 (206-543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org/events/browse/weekend_activities_dec12).

ONGOING Explore winter holiday celebrations around the world; Santa Lucia, through Monday; Los Posadas, Dec. 11-17; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Seattle Center Armory, Seattle; $6-$7.50 (www.thechildrensmuseum.org/fol).

ONGOING Display of 100 objects from King Tut’s tomb and treasures from 2,000 years of ancient Egypt, hours vary, through Jan. 6, 2013, Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave. N, Seattle; $15.50-$32.50, timed ticket entry, reservations recommended (800-664-8775 or www.pacificsciencecenter.org).

SUN Six mile race for all paddle craft, 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Deception Pass State Park, Whidbey Island; $49-$59 (206-465-7167 or www.meetup.com/washington-standup-paddlers).

FRI Opening celebration of seasonal display of poinsettias, holiday train, 5-8 p.m. Friday; Santa visits, noon-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through

Sundays, Volunteer Park Conservatory, 1400 E. Galer St., inside Volunteer Park, Seattle; free donations suggested (206-322-4112 or www.volunteerparkconservatory.org).

FRI-SAT Sale of wreaths, swags, greens, demonstrations and craft activities, botanical and craft gifts, noon-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Graham Visitors Center, 2300 Arboretum Drive E., Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle (www.arboretumfoundation.org).

SAT Make nature crafts, learn about plants, animals and birds in winter, Nature Gift Store, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22, Seward Park Audubon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle; free (206-652-2444 or sewardpark.audubon.org).

SAT Create holiday wreaths and garlands with holly, ivy and other invasive plants in the park, basic materials provided, 1 p.m. Saturday, Discovery Park, Seattle (206-386-4236) and 2 p.m. Saturday, Camp Long, Seattle (206-684-7434); $9 (www.seattle.gov/parks).

SAT Two-hour walk to learn about wetland, wear boots, for adults and families with children ages 7 and older, 10 a.m. Saturday, Carkeek Park, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Road, Seattle; free, preregister (206-386-4236 or www.seattle.gov/parks).

SAT Learn simple ways to make your home more sustainable, 11 a.m. Saturday, Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, 1625 118th Ave. S.E., Bellevue; free (425-452-2565).

SAT Learn about wintertime myths featuring wildlife, 2 p.m. Saturday, Lake Hills Greenbelt, 15416 S.E. 16th St., Bellevue; free (425-452-6993 or bellevuewa.gov/lake_hills_greenbelt.htm).

SAT Astronomer discusses the winter solstice and Mayan prophesies; telescopes available if the sky is clear, 7 p.m. Saturday, Edwin E. Ritchie Observatory, 11299 Arrow Point Dr. N.E., Battle Point Park, Bainbridge Island; $2 (206-842-9152 or www.bpastro.org).

SAT-SUN See salmon returning to spawn, activities 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Carkeek Park, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Road, Seattle; free (206-684-5999 or www.seattle.gov/parks).

PLAN AHEAD Explore the beach at low tide by flashlight, for adults and families with children ages 6 and older, 9 p.m. Dec. 14, Discovery Park, Seattle; $5 (206-386-4236); or 9 p.m. Dec. 15, Me Kwa Mooks Park, Seattle; free, preregister (206-684-7434 or www.seattle.gov/parks).

FRI Holiday music by Breath of Aire, 7 p.m. Friday, Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore; free (425-602-3000 or www.bastyr.edu).

SUN Keith Terhune, the Admiral Choir, Overton Berry concert and singalong, 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ, 4320 S.W. Hill St., Seattle; free, food bank donations collected (206-932-2928 or www.admiralchurch.org).

SUN Salvation Army Brass Band, Breath of Aire choir concert for all ages, 7 p.m. Sunday, Daniels Recital Hall, 811 Fifth Ave., Seattle; $10-$20 (206-217-1206 or ChristmasWithTheSalvationArmy.org).

SUN Kaleidoscope Dance Company student dancers, 3 p.m. Sunday, Shorewood High School Auditorium, 17300 Fremont Ave. N., Shoreline; $9-$6 (206-363-7281 or creativedance.org).

SUN 5K tun/walk to raise funds for preventing, controlling and curing arthritis, holiday costumes encouraged, 8:50 a.m.; 1k children’s run, 8:20 a.m. Sunday, Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., Seattle; $10-$40 (206-547-2707 or seattlejinglebellrun.org).

DEC. 13 Three-mile costumed run or walk to collect toys for Toy n’ Joy, 6 p.m. Dec. 13, Fleet Feet Sports, 911 E. Pine St., Seattle; free (206-329-1466 or www.fleetfeetseattle.com/events/pint-striders).

FRI Art walk, holiday bazaar, Lenin statue lighting, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Fremont neighborhood, Seattle (www.fremontfirstfriday.com).

FRI-SAT Arts and crafts by local artists, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Huntington Park, 1000 S. 248th St., Des Moines (206-715-2771).

FRI-SAT Gently-used children’s and maternity items, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, $2 or new toy admission; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, free admission, Gold Creek Church, 4326 148th St. S.E., Mill Creek (www.jbfsale.com/lynnwood).

FRI-SAT Sale of African-made crafts to benefit Peace Through Pieces, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Saturday, North Seattle Friends Church, 7740 24th Ave. N.E., Seattle (206-525-8800 or www.northseattlefriends.org).

SAT Holiday sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Seattle Center Northwest Rooms, Seattle (206-684-7200 or www.friendsofspl.org).

SAT Vendors, lunch, pictures with Santa, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 S.W. Holden St., Seattle (www.hpic1919.org).

SAT Dolls, jewelry, art, hats, purses; food, kids’ activities, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, MLK Community Center, 3201 E. Republican St., Seattle ( Mlkfame.com).

SAT Arts, crafts, vintage punk rock paraphernalia, food, music, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, The Underground Events Center, 2407 First Ave., Seattle; $1 (www.punkrockfleamarketseattle.com).

SAT Auction of machinery, tools, construction vehicles, cars and trucks; 9 a.m. Saturday, preview 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday, James G. Murphy Inc., 18226 68th Ave. N.E., Kenmore (425-486-1246 or murphyauction.com).

FRI Board of Education and 5th Avenue Theatre’s “Elf The Musical”; caroling competition by 40 teams, Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline, award ceremony, 6:15-8:30 p.m.; benefits Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank, 5 p.m. Friday, Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle; free (www.pikemarketseniorcenter.org/figgy-pudding).

FRI Radio Disney activities, 6 p.m.; tree lighting, 6:30 p.m.; Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 32nd Street, Mercer Island; Santa visits, treats, children’s entertainment, 7-8:30 p.m., North Fire Station, Mercer Island; free, unwrapped toys donation for Toys For Tots requested (www.mercergov.org).

FRI Music, Santa, tree lighting, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Evergreen Playfield, 22205 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace (www.cityofmlt.com).

FRI-SAT Drive-through, living Nativity, 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church, 11042 Sunrise Drive N.E., Bainbridge Island; free (206-842-3098 or www.rbpres.org).

FRI-SUN Lights displays, entertainment, train rides, pony rides, nativity, petting farm, vendors, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Dec. 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 Dec. 13, 29 (www.warmbeach.com/index.php/lights-of-christmas).

FRI-SUN Gingerbread sculptures on display through Dec. 16, gingerbread house family workshops, 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, $25/family, preregister, Bellevue Hilton, 300 112th Ave. S.E., Bellevue (www.kidsquestmuseum.org).

SAT 2.8 mile path around the lake lit by luminaria, musicians, treats at four locations along the path, 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Green Lake Park, 7201 E. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle; free (facebook.com/GreenLakePathwayofLights).

SAT Santa lights the tree at the top of the water tower in North City, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Les Schwab, 17754 15th Ave. N.E., Shoreline; free (206-362-7282).

SAT-SUN Holiday train excursion to visit Santa Claus at the historic Snoqualmie Depot., hourly 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Dec. 14-15, Northwest Railway Museum, 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie; $20 advance purchase recommended, space limited (425-888-3030 or www.trainmuseum.org).

SUN Music with Marc Smason and The Katatonics, dancing, menorahs, crafts and potluck, 5 p.m. Sunday, Church of Hope Social Hall, 3818 S. Angeline St., Seattle; $6-$36, ages 12 and younger free (mitriyah.org).

SUN UW students perform traditional Swedish pageant in Swedish, dancing, Swedish Christmas music, 3 p.m. Sunday, Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle; $3 (206-283-1090 or www.swedishculturalcenter.org).

SUN Mule carriage rides, Santa, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street, Seattle (wsjunction.org).

SUN Holiday decorated 1903 Lightkeepers Cottage, tours, carols, Santa, 1 p.m. Sunday, Browns Point Lighthouse Park, 201 Tulalip St. N.E., Tacoma; free (253-927-2536 or www.pointsnortheast.org).

WED Hanukkah menorah lighting, performance by KlezKids, dreidels for children, 6 p.m. Wednesday, outside of The North Face, University Village, 25th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 45th Street, Seattle; free (206-523-0622 or www.uvillage.com/events).

DEC. 13 Musical performances, treats, lights and luminaria, free admission to Conservatory and Seattle Asian Art Museum, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 13, Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave. E., Seattle; free (www.volunteerparktrust.org).

ONGOING Holiday carousel, proceeds benefit Downtown Seattle Association and Treehouse for foster kids, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Dec. 13; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 14; times subject to change due to inclement weather and other conditions, Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle; $2 (www.holidaysinseattle.com).

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

ONGOING Light sculptures of wild animals, carousel, reindeer visits, 5:30-8:30 p.m. daily, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $6.50-$9.50, online advance purchase, night of event sale if space available; ages 2 and younger free (www.zoo.org/wildlights).

ONGOING Neighborhood Christmas display, lights and music from 4:30-10 p.m. daily, Northeast Park Road, off Ravenna Boulevard, Seattle; free, donations for Northwest Harvest collected.

ONGOING Light sculptures, flowers, shrubs, vines, animal characters, 5-10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31, Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue; $5, ages 10 and younger free; advance ticket purchase recommended (425-452-6844 or www.gardendlights.org).

ONGOING Light display nightly through Dec. 31, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton (www.ivars.com).

ONGOING Display and sale of 25 varieties of poinsettias, 14-foot high poinsettia tree daily, live music and Santa visits Saturdays-Sundays; Molbak’s, 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville; (425-483-5000 or molbaks.com).

ONGOING Lights and light sculptures, South Pacific Aquarium, camel rides, carousel, 5-9 p.m. daily, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma; $7.25-$15.75 (253-591-5337 or www.pdza.org).

ONGOING Maps, directions, information (nwchristmastrees.org).

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

SAT Opening event for recreational and athletic facility trampoline jump, children’s indoor amusement structure, 2 p.m. Saturday, Elevated Sportz Indoor Trampoline Park, 18311 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell (425-949-8448 or www.elevatedsportz.com).

SAT Three-hour tour of Christmas lights in Seattle neighborhoods on vintage buses, 7 p.m. Saturday, Second Avenue South and South Main Street, Seattle; $5, no reservations (206-684-1816 or www.mehva.org).

SAT Self guided tour of decorated homes in Gig Harbor, benefits children’s organizations, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club, 8502 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor; $20-$25 (253-514-8908 or www.AltrusaGigHarbor.org).

SAT Europe 101, Art and History for Travelers, 10 a.m. Saturday, Edmonds Theater, 415 Main St., Edmonds; free, reservations required (425-771-8303, ext. 298 or www.ricksteves.com).

TUE Roads Less Traveled Tours wines and travel destinations of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Georgia, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wide World Books & Maps, 4411 Wallingford Ave. N., Seattle; free (206-634-3453).

MON Help wrap donated toys, 6 p.m. Monday and Dec. 19; new, unwrapped toys for infants-age 12 nonperishable food collected at all Kent fire stations, Kent Fire Station 75, 15635 S.E. 272nd St., Kent (253-856-4485).

SAT Information, repair and installation of faucets and toilets, 11 a.m. Saturday, Second Use Building Materials, 3223 Sixth Ave. S., Seattle; free (206-763-6929 or www.seconduse.com).