Things to do

Today

Fifth Annual Christmas Creche Exhibit (Nativities) - View more than 700 Nativity scenes from more than 26 different countries. Made from a vast array of materials including rock, ceramic, marble, fabric, glass, coconut shells, Mount St. Helens ash, and engine parts. Exhibit viewing is 3-9 p.m. Enjoy musical performances from local talent at 7 p.m. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1620 E. 29th Ave. Free. (509) 448-2247

Tuesday

Diaper Changing Know-how - Learn the basics of diapering, from how to get the perfect fit, to the best way to keep your little one’s bottom clean, dry and free of diaper rash. Reservations requested. 7-8 p.m., Babies R Us, 6104 N. Division St. Free. (509) 842-5020

Raising Lucy Coloring Storybook and Video - Author, illustrator and film director/producer will sign books. 6-8:30 p.m., Borders, 450 W. Wilbur Ave., Coeur d’Alene. (208) 762-4497

Teddy Bear Teas - An annual celebration of a great American icon, the teddy bear. Bring your favorite bear and join in the fun during storytime. Free. 10 a.m., Toddler Storytime; 10:30 a.m., Preschool Storytime. Today, Downtown Library, 906 W. Main Ave., (509) 444-5331. Thursday, South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St., (509) 444-5331

Wednesday

EWU Chamber Choir Concert - “Sacred Music for the Christmas Season,” under the direction of Dr. Randel Wagner. 7-8 p.m., Saint Thomas Roman Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free admission. (208) 664-0793

Thursday

The Singing Nuns - “The Angels’ Story,” with special guests, 7:30 p.m., Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. $20/adults, $16/seniors and students. (509) 325-SEAT

Friday

Spokane Area Children’s Chorus Concert - “Peace,” today, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m. Westminster Congregational Church, 411 S. Washington St. $7/adults, $5/students, youth and seniors. (509) 624-7992

Saturday

“A Christmas Story” - Christian Youth Theater-Spokane presents this 1983 Christmas classic involving Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun, a leg lamp and other family antics. Today, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Trent Elementary, Adamson Auditorium, 3303 N. Pines Road. $9/adults, $8/children and seniors, $7/group. Visit www.cytspokane.com or call (509) 487-6540 for tickets.

“Gremlins” (movie) - Miniature green monsters tear through the small town of Kingston Falls. Rated PG. 3:30 p.m., The Cretin Hop, 1317 N. Howard St. Free. (509) 327-7195.

“Madeline’s Christmas” - Presented by Spokane Children’s Theatre. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Spokane Civic Theatre, 1810 N. Howard St. $10/adults, $8/age 18 and younger. (509) 325-SEAT for tickets; (509) 328-4886 for information.

Breakfast with Santa - Enjoy breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. Menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, coffee and peppermint ice cream. Listen to a story read by Mrs. Claus, make arts and crafts with Santa’s elves and have your picture taken. Every child will go home with a gift from Santa. Two sessions: Session 1/No. 7066, 8-9:30 a.m., and Session 2/No. 7067, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Registration required; please provide class number. Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. $15/adults, $12 children. (509) 625-6200.

Community Cross Country Run - Open to runners of all ages, begins at 9:30 a.m. After the race, watch athletes from across the nation compete in the USA Track and Field National Club Cross Country Championships. Begins at 9:30 a.m., championship races 10:30 a.m. Sign up by Friday at the Mirabeau Park Hotel. Plantes Ferry Park, Spokane Valley. $10. (509) 363-6825

Cookie Mouse Visits Auntie’s - Mouse, of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” fame, will be at Auntie’s Bookstore all day. Get some of your books autographed and get your picture taken. Storytimes at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the children’s section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206

Family Macfest: A Toy Story at the Mac - Celebrate various holidays around the world and the “Toys! Toys! Toys!” exhibit. Make holiday arts and crafts related to different cultures, listen to stories and make your own toy. Noon-3 p.m., Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave., $15/family. (509) 456-3931

Family Movie: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” - Starring Jim Carrey, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved story. Rated PG. 2 p.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5385

Hillyard Holiday Festival - Craft and gift vendors, holiday treats, and Santa pictures for $5. Along historic Market Street, businesses will participate in the annual decorations contest. Today-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Hillyard North Pole, 5101 N. Market St., in Old U.S. Bank Building. (509) 998-1404

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis - 5K Fun Run and Walk and 1K Children’s Run with the Elves. Riverfront Park. $20/adult, includes shirt; free/children age 7 and younger, does not include shirt. (800) 746-1821

Sunday

“Bringing Christmas Back to the Crescent” - Presented by Madeleine’s Cafe and Patisserie. Enjoy a buffet breakfast, live music and a chance to meet St. Nicholas. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 707 W. Main Ave. Call (509) 624-2253 for reservations.

Ongoing

Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Fridays, 3-8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon-3 p.m. Through Dec. 24. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. (509) 344-2231

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build Off and Display – “Iron Chef”-style event features renowned local chefs teaming up with equally renowned local architects to create enormous gingerbread structures. Build Off of Houses will be Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the mezzanine level. The gingerbread structures will be on display 24 hours a day through Dec. 23. Kids event where kids decorate their own mini-gingerbread houses on Wednesday, 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. (509) 954-0554

“Christmas Everyday” - A Theater Arts for Children production. Adapted by Burton Bumgarner from the story of William Dean Howells. Ever wish that Christmas could last all year? You might want to think twice once you have seen this play. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., through Dec. 21. Spokane Valley Partners, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. $7/general, $5/age 12 and younger. (509) 325-SEAT or at the door.

Christmas Tree Elegance - Benefits the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, presented by the Spokane Symphony Associates. Free viewing of 12 trees and gifts on The Davenport mezzanine, today-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $1/raffle tickets for trees. (509) 458-TREE

Christmas Tree Sale - A fundraiser for the nonprofit Hutton Settlement, which houses children. Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hutton Settlement, 9907 E. Wellesley Ave. $5-$60. (509) 926-1027

Free Carriage Rides in Coeur d’Alene - Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., through Dec. 21. Depart from corner of First and Sherman Avenue, downtown Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 415-0116

Holiday Lights at Gaiser Conservatory - Friday-Dec. 21. Manito Park’s conservatory will be decorated with poinsettias, mums and more, with more than 40,000 lights. Conservatory hours are 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Best viewing is after 4 p.m. Open house Saturday and Sunday, 4-7:30 p.m. Manito Park. Free. (509) 456-8038

Santa Express - For age 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 $7.50. 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., through Dec. 23. Crescent Building in the skywalk level at corner of Main and Wall streets, just east of Spokane Teachers Credit Union, downtown Spokane. (509) 535-3155

Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Fridays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. with take-out from 1-3 p.m. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St. (509) 324-1995