Social Calendar

“A Christmas Carol” Academy Scholarship Benefit Night - Featuring a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a performance of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic presented by Spokane Civic Theatre Academy students. Today, 6 p.m. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. $15. (509) 325-2507.

20th Annual Boy Scout Christmas Tree Sale - Sponsored by Troop 3 from Coeur d’Alene. The scouts will help you select a tree, carry it to your car and tie it on. The proceeds earned will pay for program for the next year. Pre-sale tickets are available. A $45 ticket will get any 8-foot or under tree, and a $55 ticket takes any tree 8-foot or more. Runs through Dec. 18. Corner of Canfield and Government Way, next to Michael’s, Coeur d’Alene. $35-$75, depending on size. (208) 635-5139.

Santa Express – With the help of volunteers, shoppers ages 4-12 choose gifts priced from 50 cents to $8 for everyone on their list and wrap each giftFundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., through Dec. 23. Downtown on the skywalk level of Crescent building, 707 W. Main Ave. (509) 448-2900.

Christmas Tree Elegance 2011 – Through Dec. 18. Benefits the Spokane Symphony, presented by the Spokane Symphony Associates. This year there are two locations for tree viewing and raffles. Today, Caroling with the Chorale, 1:30 p.m., rehearsal, 3 p.m. public performance, 4:15 p.m., reception with buffet, $35/singers and buffet, $25/buffet only, $10/show only; Monday, Holiday Hat and Fur Style Show, 11:30 a.m., Davenport Hotel, $25, call (509) 789-6863 for reservations; Saturday, raffle drawing in Davenport Hotel, 9:30 p.m., free admission; Dec. 18, 1 p.m., Raffle drawing in River Park Square, free admission. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Tree viewing free; raffle tickets $1 each. (509) 458-8733.

Christmas Tree Fundraiser – Through Dec. 17. Children at the Hutton Settlement Children’s Home have grown Christmas trees for years, with proceeds supporting programs at the home. Tuesdays-Fridays, 5-7 p.m. and Saturdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The settlement driveway is a mile east of Argonne on Upriver Drive. Pre-cut, U-cut and live trees for sale. Hutton Settlement Home, 9907 E. Wellesley Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 926-1027.

2011 Festival of Trees “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” - Senior Social, Friday, 10 a.m.-noon, refreshments and entertainment, free admission; Family night, Friday, 5-9 p.m., refreshments, entertainment, Santa’s visitors, Santa’s Workshop, festival gift shop, $3/adults, $1/kids, $8/family or a can of food for the Ministerial Association; Gala Live Auction, Saturday, 5 p.m., doors open for viewing, no-host bar and silent auction, appetizer buffet from 6-7:30 p.m., and live auction begins at 7 p.m. Boundary County Fairgrounds, Bonners Ferry. $35/advance, $40/door. (208) 267-3141, ext. 314.

Dickens of a Dinner - Victorian feast with a performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Shows Friday-Saturday at 6 p.m. Reservations are required. For tickets, call (509) 327-1113. For more information, visit www.lionaround.org. The Lion’s Share, 1627 N. Atlantic St. $40 for dinner and show.

Sixth Annual Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival - Special holiday event features some of the crooner’s best-loved films, along with a gallery of photos. Films to be shown include: noon, “White Christmas” (1954); 2:30 p.m., “Holiday Inn” (1942) in which the song “White Christmas” was first introduced; 4:30 p.m., “Going My Way” (1944) where Bing’s Oscar for this film will be on display in the theater lobby; 7 p.m., songs by Crosby’s nephew Howard Crosby from Walla Walla; 7:30 p.m., “White Christmas (1954).” Presented by Advocates for the Bing Crosby Theater. Saturday, Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. $5/donation. (509) 993-1732.

Swing Dance and Auction - Featuring the Ferris High School Jazz Orchestra. Doors open at 6:30, silent auction at 7, live auction at 8, dancing at 9 p.m. Saturday, Ferris High School, gymnasium, 3020 E. 37th Ave. $10/door, includes dessert. (509) 230-4927.

St. Lucy’s Candlelight Breakfast Benefit for Shalom Ministries - Shalom is raising funds for its Dining with Dignity program. Tickets are available at Central United Methodist Church, 518 W. Third Ave. Call or email: shalomministries10@gmail.com. Saturday. 7:30 a.m. St. John’s Cathedral, Great Hall, 127 E. 12th Ave. $30/person or $210/table of eight. (509) 455-9019.