THINGS TO DO

Today

Community Nativities Display - Inland Northwest’s largest collection of nativities with more than 700 Christmas nativities from 26 countries. Tonight’s musical performance will feature Ferris High School Canterbury Belles. 6:30 and 8 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1620 E. 29th Ave. Free admission. (509) 448-2247.

Tuesday

Teddy Bear Teas - Join in celebrating the teddy bear and bring your favorite bear along. Toddler storytime at 10 a.m. and preschool storytime at 10:30 a.m. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave., and South Hill, 3324 S. Perry St.; Indian Trail Library, 4909 W. Barnes. Free. (509) 444-5331.

“Heaven’s Love Descending” Concert - Music concert performed by Northwest Christian students in grades K-6. There will be a special performance by the Northwest Christian Middle and High School girls’ choir and Pure Joy, a 45-member elementary select choir. 7 p.m., Calvary Chapel of Spokane, 511 W. Hastings Road. Free. (509) 238-4005.

Wednesday

After School Specials - “Measure This!” Enjoy creative and new ways to measure things. A different science project will be presented each month. 4 p.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St., Medical Lake. Free. (509) 893-8330.

Thursday

“A Christmas Carol” - John R. Rogers High Schools Encore Drama group will present this adaptation of Charles Dickens classic tale. Shows today through Saturday at 7 p.m., John R. Rogers High School, 1622 E. Wellesley Ave. $6 at the door; canned food donated is good for a complimentary concession. (509) 354-6551.

A Touch of China- Held in celebration of International Human Rights Day. Featuring authentic cuisine, information on Chinese internal medicine and calligraphy, a Taiji Quan demonstration and live performances by folk band Silk Road and The Spokane Chinese Dance Group. Call to get tickets or visit the Human Rights Education Institute. 5-8 p.m., Human Rights Education Institute, 414 1/2 Mullan Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $50/limited to 200 people. (208) 292-2359.

God’s Gift Christmas Cantata - Performances at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The story reveals the birth of Christ through narration, music and recitation by preschool to secondary students. Lakes Bible Academy at New Beginnings Baptist Church, 16218 N. Westwood Drive, Rathdrum, Idaho. Free admission. (208) 687-2101.

Friday

“ChristmasTown (Magi, Music and Mirth)” - Dinner theatre presented by Northwoods Chorale. Tickets available at Seeber’s Drugstore in Newport, Wash. or by calling (208) 448-1294. Today and Friday, turkey dinner catered by Skeyes the Limit, Priest River, Idaho. Dinner at 6 p.m., show at 7:30. The Circle Moon Theater, Highway 211 off of Highway 2, Newport. $20/dinner and show; $12/adults, $10/children and seniors for show-only. (509) 447-3004.

Friends of the Deer Park Library Book Sale - A pre-Christmas book sale. Today and Saturday. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Deer Park Library, Meeting Room, 208 S. Forest Ave., Deer Park. (509) 893-8300.

Christmas From the Heart - Holiday concert starring Laura Sable and Bill Wiemuth with Mark Cotter. Today and Saturday. 7 p.m., Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene. $10/adults, $8/seniors and youth. (509) 990-0100.

Saturday

Christmas Lights Walk - 5K and 10K walks. Start from 5-6:30 p.m. and finish by 9:30 p.m. Walk on sidewalks and edge of streets in quiet residential neighborhoods. Flashlights required. Dress appropriately for the weather. Strollers at user’s discretion. Not suitable for wheelchairs. Water and restrooms at start/finish and also on route at McDonalds. Pets are permitted. Owners are responsible for leash and clean-up. Sponsored by Lilac City Volkssport Club. Spokane Friends Church, 1612 W. Dalke Ave. (509) 326-3575.

Auntie Violet Storytime - Listen to Christmas stories read by Auntie Violet. All ages. 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Harrison Winterfest - See Santa and Mrs. Claus in the City Park gazebo from 1-4 p.m., festivities last until 6:30 p.m. Photo opportunities, fire pits, hayride, kids activities, lighting contest, carolers, live music by LG Sennelly, shops and wine-tasting room. Vendors, soup and baked goods available at the Grange. Downtown Harrison, Idaho. Free. (208) 689-3669.

Family Movie: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” - Starring Jim Carrey. Rated PG. 2 p.m., South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5386.

Figure Skating Exhibition - Presented by The Inland Northwest Figure Skating Club. Open skating available beginning at 12:30 p.m., ahead of the program (requires recreation center admission). 5 p.m., Eastern Washington University Recreation Center, Cheney. $5/open skating. (208) 755-9881.

Sunday

The Storytelling Company - Featuring original “Tales of the West” by Sandy Compton and a story from The Mystery Storyteller. 5 p.m., Di Luna’s, 207 Cedar St., Sandpoint. $7/general, $4/age 12 and younger. (208) 263-0846.

Ongoing

“A Scrooge Christmas” - Presented by Theater Arts for Children. An adaptation by Thomas Hischak of the Charles Dickens holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Shows are Fridays-Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Dec. 20. Spokane Valley Partners building, 10814 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. $7/adults, $5 age 12 and younger. (509) 768-3235.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”- Play about children who learn the true meaning of Christmas. Presented by Spokane Civic Theatre. Shows Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 1 and 4 p.m.; Sunday and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Runs through Dec. 20. Spokane Civic Theatre, Main Stage, 1020 N. Howard St. $16/adults; $14/seniors; $10/students; $5/student rush (available 20 minutes before a performance; not available for shows close to selling out). (509) 325-2507 or (800) 446-9576.

Letters to Santa - The Smile Again Foundation will respond to letters addressed to Santa Claus which will be mailed by Dec. 21. Children interested in receiving a letter from Santa Claus should mail their letter to Santa’s Helpers, Smile Again Foundation, 2704 N. Altamont St., Spokane, WA 99207. Deadline is Dec. 15. For more information, visit www.smileagainspokane.org. Suggested donation. (509) 294-9313.

Santa Express - Runs through Dec. 23. Fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. With the help of Santa’s elves, young shoppers ages 4-12 choose gifts for everyone on their list and wrap each gift so it’s ready to go under the tree. All gifts are priced from 50 cents to $7.50. Vanessa’s Village, located in the entry of Santa Express, welcomes shoppers of all ages. Open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Skywalk level of Crescent building on the corner of Main and Wall streets, downtown Spokane. (509) 220-5907.