Things to do

Hillyard North Pole Holiday Festival – Today and Saturday. Craft vendors, food, gifts, pictures with Santa: $5 or $3 with a donation of four cans of food. Pets allowed Saturday only. Sponsored by Hillyard Merchants, Hillyard Festival and the Hillyard Youth Center. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Northeast Youth Center, 3004 E. Queen Ave.

Winterfest at Turnbull - Annual event presented by Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Includes tour of the refuge, a chili feed and a Wolf People presentation by Nancy Taylor. RSVP at looeezoleary@netscape.net or call (509) 235-4531; 9 a.m., Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, 26010 S. Smith Road, Cheney. $5. (509) 235-4531.

Nativities Around the World - Through Sunday. More than 400 nativities crafted from native materials and representing each culture’s interpretation of the birth of Christ. Activities include live and recorded Christmas music, games and activities for children, and a live nativity room where families can dress up in costumes and have their picture taken. Nativities are on loan from local families, most in Latah County and Whitman County. Hours are 6-9 p.m. today and noon-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Moscow, 165 S. Blaine St., Moscow. Free. (208) 596-8030.

Comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer - Presented by The Inland Northwest LGBT Center. She has delivered gay material to straight audiences in mainstream comedy clubs beginning in New York City since the early ’90s. Dec. 7, 8 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. $25/advance, $50/VIP, $35/at the door. (800) 325-SEAT.

“The Nutcracker” – Through Sunday. Presented by the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, Calif. 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Featuring music by the Spokane Symphony. Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $22-$65/general, $16/age 12 and younger. (509) 624-1200.

Amahl and the Night Visitors - A one-act, Christmas opera for the family. Presented by Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra and featuring soloists Patti Mortier, Quincy McFaul, Steve Mortier, Tim Campbell, John Frankhauser and St. George’s Choir. Tickets available by calling the symphony office, or visiting the website, Great Harvest Bread Co., 3510 Government Way, or Burt’s Music on Sherman Avenue. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1756 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene. adults, $15/seniors/$8/students with ID. (208) 765-3833.

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-Off - Eighth annual gingerbread house build-off from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Davenport’s Hall of Doges. Culinary teams decorate enormous gingerbread structures in just three hours as the public watches. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, children can make their own mini-gingerbread house for $7, with proceeds benefiting Christ Kitchen. No reservations required. Sunday, the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Viewing is free. (509) 325-4343.

Holiday Lights at Gaiser Conservatory – Through Dec. 19. More than 30,000 lights, along with poinsettias, mums and other seasonal touches. Open daily, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and best viewing is after 4 p.m. An open house hosted by The Friends of Manito will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the meeting room. Bring the kids to decorate cookies, enjoy a holiday beverage, buy your holiday poinsettia and a 2013 Manito Park calendar. Manito Park, Gaiser Conservatory, 4 W. 21st Ave. Free. (509) 456-8038.

Post Follies Christmas Show - Part political satire, part Christmas celebration. Shows Dec. 13 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 William St., Post Falls. $15/general, $10/students. (208) 457-8950.