Events, Friday, Dec. 5: ‘Three Little Pigs,’ Hometown Holidays

Concerts

An Evening of Music, 7 p.m. Dec. 5. The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints, 10509 S.E. Fifth St., Vancouver; donations encouraged. 360-260-9203 or www.facebook.com/FestivalofNativities

The Birthday Massacre, 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 S.E. 39th Ave., Portland; $17 to $20 through Cascade Tickets, 800-514-3849 or www.cascadetickets.com. 503-233-7100 or www.hawthornetheatre.com

Concordia University’s 64th annual “The Christmas Chorale,” 7 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 3 p.m. Dec. 7. St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 6700 N.E. 29th Ave., Portland; free. 503-280-8505 or www.cu-portland.edu/christmaschorale

Portland Cello Project Holiday Spectacular, 8 p.m. Dec. 5-6. Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave., Portland; $17 to $20 through Ticketfly, 877-435-9849 or www.ticketfly.com. www.aladdin-theater.com

Portland Gay Men’s Chorus presents “A Holiday Celebration,” 8 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 3 p.m. Dec. 7. Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland; $15 to $45. 503-226-2588 or www.pdxgmc.org

Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. New Hope Auditorium, 11731 S.E. Stevens Road, Portland; $18 to $75. 503-557-8733 or www.singingchristmastree.org

Nightlife

Cadillacs for Everyone, 8 p.m. Byno’s Roadhouse, 4250 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver; no cover charge. 360-314-4833 or www.bynosroadhouse.com

Countryside Ride, 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jollie’s Restaurant and Lounge, 17701 N.E. Union Road (Exit 9 on Interstate 5), Ridgefield; no cover charge. 360-573-3141.

Elder Crow, The Martindales, 9 p.m. Brickhouse Bar and Grill, 109 W. 15th St., Vancouver; no cover charge, 21 and older. 360-695-3686 or www.vancouverbrickhouse.com

Tom May, 6 to 9 p.m. Moulton Falls Winery, 31101 N.E. Railroad Ave., Yacolt; no cover charge. 360-686-4070 or www.moultonfallswinery.com

My Brightest Diamond, 9 p.m. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St., Portland; $15 to $17, 21 and older. 503-231-9663 or www.dougfirlounge.com

Shook Twins, 9 p.m. Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland; $15 to $18, 21 and older. 503-288-3895 or www.mississippistudios.com

The Strange, 8 p.m. Prairie Bar and Grill, 14925 N.E. Caples Road, Brush Prairie; $2. 360-892-6313 or www.prairiebarandgrill.com

Virgo Rising, 9 p.m. Cascade Bar & Grill, 15000 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; $5; 21 and older. 360-254-0749 or www.cascadebarandgrill.net

Dance

“Firewall,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20; 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20. BodyVox presents a mix of technology and optical illusions, as media transforms the space for its dancers in this world premiere piece. BodyVox Dance Center, 1201 N.W. 17th Ave., Portland; $30. 503-229-0627 or www.bodyvox.com

“In Good Company,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6; 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Northwest Dance Project’s annual “un-holiday” holiday show with a site-specific program for the whole family. Vestas Building Atrium, 1417 N.W. Everett St., Portland; $39 to $45. 503-725-3307 or www.nwdanceproject.org

“The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m. Dec. 5; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6; 2 p.m. Dec. 7. Vancouver Dance Theater returns with its annual holiday tradition of brave toys and wondrous lands of treats. Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver; $13, free for ages 2 and younger. 360-601-1770 or www.vancouverdancetheatre.com

Theater

“Blithe Spirit” presented by Artists Repertory Theatre. In this British comedy, novelist Charles and his wife, Ruth, invite an eccentric medium to dinner, only to become haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, who can’t wait to cause trouble for Charles, through Dec. 28. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, Dec. 23; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. No shows Dec. 24-25. Morrison Stage, 1515 S.W. Morrison St., Portland; $46 to $51, $30 for ages 25 and younger. 503-241-1278 or www.artistsrep.org

“A Christmas Carol” presented by Portland Playhouse. Charles Dickens’ classic tale set in 19th century London, where a greedy Scrooge learns the meaning of Christmas from three ghostly visitors. Through Dec. 28; 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, Dec. 16; 2 p.m. Sundays; 2 and 5 p.m. Dec. 14, 21; 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 23; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 24. No show Dec. 25. The Church, 602 N.E. Prescott St., Portland; $32 to $36; $25 for ages 35 and younger, $20 for partial-view seats. 503-488-5822 or www.portlandplayhouse.org

“The Santaland Diaries” presented by Portland Center Stage. Based on humorist David Sedaris’ experiences working at Macy’s “Santaland” display as Crumpet the Elf, this one-man play chronicles odd encounters with shoppers during the holiday crunch and a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing of Christmas spirit. Recommended for ages 14 and older. Through Dec. 28: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 24. No show Dec. 25. Gerding Theater at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland; $45 to $55, $30 for students. 503-445-3700 or www.pcs.org

“The Second City’s A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens” presented by Portland Center Stage. An adult comedy filled with holiday sketches that combine improv, audience participation and a changing list of local celebrities, through Dec. 24. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon Thursday, 2 p.m. Dec. 24. Recommended for ages 14 and older. Gerding Theater at the Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland; $36 to $69, $30 for students. 503-445-3700 or www.pcs.org

“She Loves Me” presented by Lakewood Theatre Company. Georg and Amalia are feuding clerks working in a 1930s European perfumery, unaware that their romantic pen pals are each other. Through Dec. 21; 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 10; 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 14, and 21. Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St., Lake Oswego, Ore.; $37, $35 for seniors. 503-635-3901 or www.lakewood-center.org

“The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” presented by Oregon Children’s Theatre Young Professionals. Alexander T. Wolf is accused of destroying two of the three little pigs’ homes, or was it just an accident? Through Dec. 20; 10 a.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Studio Theater, 1939 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland; $10 to $12 for Fridays, $12 to $15. www.octc.org/onstage/ypco

“White Christmas” presented by Journey Theater Arts Group. A musical adaptation featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs, as successful song-and-dance act Bob and Phil follow two beautiful sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge. 7 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 12-13; 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14. Washburn Performing Arts Center, 1201 39th St., Washougal; $12 to $15, $10 to $13 for youth and seniors; $10 to $13 for Dec. 6. 360-750-8550 or www.journeytheater.org

“Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” presented by Magenta Theater. Told as a radio drama, Virginia O’Hanlon writes a letter to the editor of the New York Sun with a simple question: does Santa Claus exist? The response falls to reporter Frank Church, whose belief is also shaken after the death of his wife and daughter on Christmas eve. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 11-13, 16-19; 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20. Magenta Theater, 606 Main St., Vancouver; $13 to $16. 360-635-4358 or www.magentatheater.com

Words

Brian Yaeger, “Oregon Breweries,” and Jon Abernathy, “Bend Beer,” 7:30 p.m. Powell’s Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland; 800-878-7323 or www.powells.com

Out & about

24th annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Celebration of Giving, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event includes music by the Battle Ground High School Jazz Choir, Santa and Mrs. Claus and the tree lighting at 6 p.m. with donations encouraged for the North County Community Food Bank. Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground; free, $5 for photos with Santa. www.cityofbg.org

Christmas in the Park, 5 p.m. Activate Church will host an evening of Christmas carols, hot chocolate, pictures with Santa and a giving tree for the community. Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver; free. 360-989-9414 or www.activatechurch.org

Christmas Ship Parade, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 8-12, 16-19, 6 p.m. Dec. 6. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the parade, a fleet of recreational boaters from around the area will decorate their ships with holiday lights and set sail on select nights. The Columbia River fleet travels different routes each night, and is subject to safety, river traffic, weather and water conditions. A special performance in front of the marina of the Port of Camas-Washougal on Dec. 6, with cider and cookies for visitors. Viewing spots include Marine Park, S.E. Marine Park Way and S.E. Columbia Way; Waterfront Park, 115 S.E. Columbia Way; Wintler Beach Community Park, 6400 Beach Drive; Vancouver Landing, 100 Columbia St., Vancouver; free. www.christmasships.org

Holiday Express, Dec. 5-7, and 12-14. Trains depart six to 10 times between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. The SP&S 700 steam locomotive will pull vintage rail cars on a round-trip ride through the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge with Santa Claus and his elves, with proceeds benefiting the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation. Oaks Park Station, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way, Portland; $16 to $19, $9.50 to $12.50 for ages 12 and younger. www.orhf.org/the-holiday-express

Hometown Holidays, 5 to 8:30 p.m. The annual tree lighting and community celebration features photos with Santa, school music performances, hot cocoa and crafts. The tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. Downtown Camas, Northeast Fourth Avenue, Camas; free. 360-216-7378 or www.downtowncamas.com

Winter Wonderland, through Dec. 28: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, closed Dec. 9. The 22nd annual holiday light show returns to light up the racetrack with 250 lighted displays and animated scenes. Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd., Portland; $18 for a car or passenger van, $25 for limo or motorhome, $30 for mini-bus (16 to 25 people), $45 for bus (26 to 45 people), food donations encouraged. 503-231-0285 or www.winterwonderlandportland.com

Fairs & festivals

The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, 5 to 10 p.m. nightly, through Dec. 30. More than 500,000 lights will decorate the gardens and sanctuaries of the Grotto, along with 150 choral performances throughout the festival. The Grotto, 8840 N.E. Skidmore St., Portland; $10, $9 for seniors, $5 for ages 3 to 12, free for ages 2 and younger. 503-261-2400 or www.thegrotto.org/christmas

Holiday Ale Festival, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7. The 19th annual beer festival will feature 50 winter ales created just for the festival along with limited releases. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland; $35, $80 for VIP for those 21 and older. www.holidayale.com

Providence Festival of Trees, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 6. A winter wonderland with 25 themed Christmas trees created by local designers, along with wreaths, a Christmas village, teddy bear hospital and Santa photos. Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland; $6, $5 for seniors, $4 for ages 12 and younger. www.providence.org/festivaloftrees

Washougal Festival of Trees, 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6. Decorated Christmas trees will be on display to be raffled off to benefit local schools. The event includes live music, refreshments and breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 6. Hathaway Elementary School, 630 24th St., Washougal; free, $3 for breakfast, $3 for Santa photo. www.facebook.com/WashougalFestivalOfTrees

Museums

Music open mic session, 7 p.m. first Friday of each month, hosted by Wayne Hoffman. North Clark Historical Museum, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 21416 N.E. 399th St., Amboy; Donations accepted. 360-247-5800 or lewisriver.com/amboy/museum

First Friday at the Portland Children’s Museum, 4 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month, with free admission. Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 S.W. Canyon Road, Portland; $10; $9 for seniors 55 and older and active military members; free for ages 1 and younger. 503-223-6500 or www.portlandcm.org

Attractions

Christmas Past, Present and Future, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 2. Closed Dec. 25. The historic house will be filled with themed Christmas trees, wreaths, ribbons and ornaments during this annual holiday exhibit, with community musicians regularly performing in the mansion’s Music Room. Pittock Mansion, 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive, Portland; $9.50; $8.50 for seniors, $6.50 for youth; free for children ages 6 and younger. 503-823-3623 or www.pittockmansion.org

ZooLights, through Jan. 4; 5 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Closed Dec. 10, 24-25. More than 1.5 million lights will illuminate the zoo in an immersive tour, as the train returns on a new route, displays from the past and a butterfly scavenger hut. Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Road, Portland; $10, $8.50 for seniors, $7 for children, free for ages 2 and younger. 503-226-1561 or www.oregonzoo.org

Comedy

After Hours, 9:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Improv and sketch comedy. ComedySportz, 1963 N.W. Kearney St., Portland; $5, free with admission to prior show. 503-236-8888 or www.portlandcomedy.com

ComedySportz improv show, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The family-friendly performance features two teams of improv players. ComedySportz, 1963 N.W. Kearney St., Portland; $15, reservations recommended. 503-236-8888 or www.portlandcomedy.com

“Fly Ass Jokes,” 10 p.m. Stand-up comedy showcase. Brody Theater, 16 N.W. Broadway, Portland; $8. 503-224-2227 or www.brodytheater.com

Greg Proops, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Dec. 5-6. Helium Comedy Club, 1510 S.E. Ninth Ave., Portland; $15 to $29, for those 21 and older. 888-643-8669 or www.heliumcomedy.com/portland

“You Are Here,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 12. Spontaneous improv comedy by ensemble veterans. Brody Theater, 16 N.W. Broadway, Portland; $12; $9 for students and seniors. 503-224-2227 or www.brodytheater.com

Dancing

Sesame Dance Club, 7:30 to 11 p.m. first and third Fridays. Lessons at 7:30 p.m. with general dancing from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Norse Hall, 111 N.E. 11th Ave., Portland; $9, $5 for students. 503-236-7082 or www.sesameclub.org