Spokane Family calendar

Ongoing

Christmas Tree Elegance - Benefits the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. Presented by the Spokane Symphony Associates. Free viewing of 12 trees and gifts on the Davenport Hotel mezzanine, through Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; with raffle drawing of the trees Saturday, 9:15 p.m. on the Mezzanine. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $1/raffle tickets for trees. 458-TREE.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays and nights before school holidays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Runs through March 3. Riverfront Park. $4.25/adults and teens; $3.25/children, seniors and military; $2.75/skate rental, $34.99, plus tax for season pass. 625-6600.

Santa Express - For ages 4-12. Kids can find fun, inexpensive gifts with the help of volunteer elves who also will help them wrap the gifts. Prices range from 50 cents to $8. Money raised is donated to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Runs through Dec. 23. Crescent Building in the skywalk level, just east of Spokane Teachers Credit Union, downtown Spokane. 535-3155.

Vanessa’s Village - For ages 12 and older. A boutique in the entry of Santa Express with stocking stuffers and gifts for family, friends and secret Santas. Money raised is donated to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Runs through Dec. 23. Crescent Building in the skywalk level, just east of Spokane Teachers Credit Union, downtown Spokane. 535-3155.

Holiday Lights at Gaiser Conservatory - Manito Park’s conservatory will be decorated with poinsettias and chrysanthemums and more than 30,000 lights. Conservatory hours are 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Best viewing is after 5 p.m. Runs daily through Dec. 16. Manito Park. Free. 456-8038.

South Pole Skating Village - Coeur d’Alene - Ice skating Monday-Thursday, sessions held 3, 4:30 6 and 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, sessions are noon, 1:30, 3, 4:30, 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. Sessions are 1 hour and 15 minutes each. Open through Jan. 6. Located outside the Coeur d’Alene Resort near the clock tower, Coeur d’Alene. $8/adults, $4/ages 12 and younger, $3/skate rental. (877) 765-4653.

“Journey to the North Pole” Holiday Lights Cruises - 40-minute lake cruises to see holiday lights and visit Santa’s North Pole Toy Workshop. Reservations required. Boat leaves daily at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. (boards 30 minutes prior to departure). Runs daily through Dec. 31. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, east side of the Boardwalk Marina, Coeur d’Alene. $14.75/adults, $13.75/seniors, free/ages 12 and younger (maximum of two children per adult). (877) 765-4653.

Today

“What the Goose Saw” - Presented by Cheney Middle School Drama Performance. A tragic, romantic comedy with a goose, written by CMS drama director Jamie Nathan. 6-7 p.m., 2716 N. Sixth St., Cheney. Free. 559-4400.

Cheney Middle School Sixth Grade Band - concert. 7 p.m., school gym, 2716 N. Sixth St., Cheney. Free. 559-4400.

Preschool Storytime - For ages 3-5. Thursdays, 11 a.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, 893-8350; Cheney Library, 610 First St., Cheney, 893-8280; Deer Park Library, 208 S. Forest Ave., Deer Park, 893-8476; Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St., 893-8340. Free.

Storytime - For ages 2-5. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards, 893-8390; Airway Heights Library, 1213 S. Lundstrom St., Airway Heights, 893-8250. Free.

Teddy Bear Teas - 10 a.m. for toddlers and 10:30 a.m. for preschoolers. Bring your favorite teddy bear along for the fun. Thursday, Friday and Tuesday: Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave., 444-5331; Thursday-Friday, South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St., 444-5331; Friday: East Side Library, 524 S. Stone St., 444-5331. Free.

Toddler Storytime - For ages 18 months-3 years. Thursdays, 10 a.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, 893-8350; Cheney Library, 610 First St., Cheney, 893-8280; Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St., 893-8340; North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, 893-8350; Thursdays: 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., 893-8400. Free.

Friday

“Journey to Bethlehem” - Travel back in time and experience the people, places and circumstances that surrounded the birth of Jesus Christ in this outdoor walk-through reenactment. Come dressed for the weather. There will be an indoor wait with musical entertainment. Runs through Sunday. 6-9 p.m., South Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5607 S. Freya St. Free. 448-6425.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” - Based on the children’s book written by Barbara Robinson. Presented by the Spokane Christian Youth Center. Friday-Saturday at 7 p.m., and matinee on Saturday at 3 p.m. Trent Elementary School, Adamson Auditorium, 3303 N. Pines Road. $4-10. 487-6540.

God’s Gym - A Spokane area youth outreach program held Fridays, 8 p.m.-midnight. Gang/at-risk youth outreach program with basketball, food, recreation, prevention and intervention activities, positive rap music, socialization, and related activities. Fun place for youth to just come and hang out. 1428 W. Broadway Ave. 481-5530.

Horse and Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Business Improvement District. Runs through Dec. 24. Fridays, 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon-3 p.m. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.

Teddy Bear Teas - 10 a.m. for toddlers and 10:30 a.m. for preschoolers. Bring your favorite teddy bear along for the fun. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave., 444-5331; South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St., 444-5331; East Side Library, 524 S. Stone St., 444-5331. Free.

Saturday

“Journey to Bethlehem” - Travel back in time and experience the people, places and circumstances that surrounded the birth of Jesus Christ in this outdoor walk-through reenactment. Come dressed for the weather. There will be an indoor wait with musical entertainment. Runs through Sunday. 6-9 p.m., South Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5607 S. Freya St. Free. 448-6425.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” - Based on the children’s book written by Barbara Robinson. Presented by the Spokane Christian Youth Center. Saturday, 3 and 7 p.m. Trent Elementary School, Adamson Auditorium, 3303 N. Pines Road. $4-10. 487-6540.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” - Musical of Margery Williams’ story of love and friendship. Presented by Spokane Children’s Theatre. Saturdayat 1 and 4 p.m.; Sundayat 7 p.m.; Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Dec. 15 performances will be signed for the hearing impaired. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. $8-$10. 325-SEAT.

“The Wizard of Oz” - One of the best-loved films of all time. Rated G. 2 p.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. 444-5385.

Angel Tree Gift Wrap Extravaganza - Help Auntie’s Bookstore wrap books to be given to less fortunate children during the holiday season. Recommended for ages 12 and older. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Second Floor Conference Room, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. 838-0206.

Christmas Fun Day - For ages preschool through 6th grade. Pictures with Santa, gifts, snacks, crafts, hayride, games and movie. Parents, drop off your kids and have some free time to go shopping, then come back at 3:30 p.m. and join us for popcorn and a movie. 1-5 p.m., Living Hope, 918 E. Garland Ave. Free. 323-0762.

Family MACFest: Old-Fashioned Holidays - Experience Campbell House Holidays and other winter holiday celebrations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Noon-3 p.m., Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. $10/per family (includes all activities, galleries and Campbell House). 456-3931.

Free Carriage Rides in Coeur d’Alene - Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m., through Dec. 23. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association. Depart from corner of Front Avenue and Second Street under the sky bridge, downtown Coeur d’Alene. Free. 344-2231.

Hillyard North Pole - A community-sponsored “minimall” featuring Christmas gifts, decorations, art and locally made crafts. Kid activities, pictures with Santa for $5 on Saturday and Sunday. Noon-5 p.m., old Shelli’s Antiques building, 5025 N. Market St. 489-1122.

Holiday Party Etiquette for Children - For ages 6-10. Learn Jingle Bell Greetings, Winter Wonderland Gift Giving, Deck the Halls Dress and Grooming, and make your own Joy to the World thank-you notes. Cookie included. 2-5 p.m., the Davenport Hotel, Palm Court Dining Room, 10 S. Post St. $32. 209-6394.

Horse and Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Business Improvement District. Runs through Dec. 24. Fridays, 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon-3 p.m. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.

Jingle Bell Run and Walk - To benefit the Arthritis Foundation Pacific Northwest Chapter. Registration at River Park Square at 7 a.m., Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists’ Children’s Run with the Elves 1K run and costume competition begins at 8:30 a.m.; Jingle Bell Run and Walk begins at 8:50 a.m. Riverfront Park. $10-$25. (206) 547-2707.

Spokane Chiefs Hockey – Saturdayvs. Swift Current; Wednesdayvs. Portland; Fridayvs. Seattle; 7 p.m., Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. $7-$17. 325-SEAT.

Turnbull Winter Festival - Join us for the WSU raptor program, a track-making activity for children and music from local musicians, coffee, cookies, chili and cornbread provided. Bring your boots and mittens and go for a walk as well. All proceeds benefit the environmental education programs on the refuge. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, take Cheney-Spangle Road across the tracks, take the first right (Alki Road) and continue to Cheney-Plaza Road, then drive five miles south to the refuge entrance, Cheney. Donations requested. 235-2760.

Sunday

“Journey to Bethlehem” - Travel back in time and experience the people, places and circumstances that surrounded the birth of Jesus Christ in this outdoor walk-through reenactment. Come dressed for the weather. There will be an indoor wait with musical entertainment. 6-9 p.m., South Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5607 S. Freya St. Free. 448-6425.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” - Musical of Margery Williams’ story of love and friendship. Presented by Spokane Children’s Theatre. Sundayat 7 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Saturday performances will be signed for the hearing impaired. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. $8-$10. 325-SEAT.

Author Brokenlily James - Reading and book signing by this Republic, Wash., children’s author of her books “The Greatest Caravan Adventure of All Time” and “Pine Needle Shoes.” Noon-2 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Main Floor, 402 W. Main Ave. 838-0206.

Gingerbread Build Off and Display – Iron Chef-style event features renowned local chefs teaming up with equally renowned local architects to create enormous, impressively stunning, gingerbread structures. Build Off of Houses will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the mezzanine level of the Davenport Hotel. The gingerbread structures will be on display through Dec. 23. Children can decorate their own minigingerbread houses on Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, $10. Benefits Christ Kitchen, a job-training ministry for Spokane women living in poverty. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Free viewing. 954-0554.

Free Carriage Rides in Coeur d’Alene - Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m., through Dec. 23. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association. Depart from corner of Front Avenue and Second Street under the sky bridge, downtown Coeur d’Alene. Free. 344-2231.

Hillyard North Pole - A community-sponsored “mini-mall” featuring Christmas gifts, decorations, art and locally made crafts. Kid activities, Santa pictures taken for only $5 on Sunday. Noon-5 p.m., old Shelli’s Antiques building, 5025 N. Market St. 489-1122.

Horse and Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Business Improvement District. Runs through Dec. 24. Fridays, 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon-3 p.m. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.

Santa Buffet Breakfast - Meet St. Nicholas, enjoy live music, special treat for children. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Madeleine’s, 707 W. Main Ave. $12/adults, $7/ages 3-12, free/age 2 and younger. Reservations requested. 624-2253.

Spokane Youth Symphony - Presenting “Celebration Around the World.” 4 p.m., The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $12/adults, $10/seniors, $8/children. 624-1200.

The Art of Holiday Etiquette and Dining for Children - For ages 7-12. Children enjoy a three-course meal while learning the tools of the table, dress and grooming, and presenting a toast. 2:30-6:30 p.m., The Davenport Hotel, The Palm Court private dining room, 10 S. Post St. $59. 209-6394.

Monday

Baby Lapsit - Enjoy nursery rhymes, songs, and stories. For children up to 18 months of age. Mondays at North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, 893-8350. 10:30 a.m. Free.

Gingerbread Build Off and Display - View gingerbread structures created Iron Chef-style by renowned local chefs and architects to create enormous, impressively stunning, gingerbread structures, on display through Dec. 23. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Free. 954-0554.

Toddler Storytime - For ages 18 months-3 years. Mondays, 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., 893-8400. Free.

Tuesday

After-school Specials - Explore Mexico through stories, crafts, and games. Learn about a different culture each month. 4 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. 893-8400.

All Nations Warriors for Christ Christmas Program - Native Americans encouraged to come. Christmas hymns, small gifts for children and teens, door prizes and refreshments. 6:30 p.m., Central Seventh-day Adventist Church fellowship hall, 828 W. Spofford Ave. Free. 328-5900.

Gingerbread Build Off and Display - View gingerbread structures created Iron Chef-style by renowned local chefs and architects to create enormous, impressively stunning, gingerbread structures, on display through Dec. 23. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Free. 954-0554.

Family Story Evening - All ages are welcome. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring their favorite blanket or stuffed toy. Tuesdays, 7 p.m., at North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, 893-8350; Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., 893-8400. varies. Free.

Pet Nights with Santa at NorthTown Mall - Santa Pets are asked to enter through the employee entrance between Sears and Steve & Barry’s. Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., NorthTown Mall, Division Street at Wellesley Avenue, in front of Sears on the main level. 482-0209.

Preschool Storytime - For ages 3-5. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., 893-8400. Free.

Storytime - For ages 2-5. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St., Fairfield, 893-8320. Free.

Teddy Bear Teas (Northwest) - 10 a.m. for toddlers and 10:30 a.m. for preschoolers. Bring your favorite teddy bear along for the fun. Thursday-Friday and Tuesday: Thursday-Friday, South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St., 444-5331; Friday: East Side Library, 524 S. Stone St., 444-5331; Tuesday, Downtown Library, 906 W. Main Ave., 444-5331. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave., 444-5331. Free.

Wednesday

After-school Specials - Explore Mexico through stories, crafts, and games. Learn about a different culture each month. 4 p.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St. Free. 893-8330.

Cheney Middle School Choir Concert – Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade choir concert. school gym, 2716 N. Sixth St., Cheney. Free. 559-4400.

Gingerbread Build Off and Display - View gingerbread structures created Iron Chef-style by renowned local chefs and architects to create enormous, impressively stunning, gingerbread structures, on display through Dec. 23. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Free. 954-0554.

Storytime - For ages 2-5. Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St., 893-8330; Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, 893-8260. Free.

Preschool Storytime - For ages 3-5. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., 893-8400; Wednesdays, 11 a.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, 893-8350; Cheney Library, 610 First St., Cheney, 893-8280; Deer Park Library, 208 S. Forest Ave., Deer Park, 893-8476. Free.

Spokane Chiefs Hockey – Wednesday vs. Portland; Fridayvs. Seattle; 7 p.m., Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. $7-$17. 325-SEAT.

Neighborhood Christmas Music Sing-A-Long - For family, friends and neighbors. Refreshments to follow. Wednesday. 7-8 p.m. St. Stephen Episcopal Church, 5720 S. Perry, Free. 448-2255.

Toddler Storytime - For ages 18 months-3 years. Wednesdays: 10 a.m., Deer Park Library, 208 S. Forest Ave., Deer Park, 893-8476; North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, 893-8350. Free.