Save the Date: Lots of fun ways to get new year off on right foot

With winter break in full swing, children of all ages can discover something fun at the Science Festival. Visitors ages 5 and older can try hands-on science activities, provided by Portland’s Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Admission is free. Call 360-906-5000 or visit www.fvrl.org.

To break in the new year, state parks across the country will wave day-use fees on Thursday. Certain state parks will also offer a First Day Hike, in which hikers can join park staff for interpretive treks. Visitors can head to Beacon Rock State Park for a 2-mile hike starting at 10 a.m. Thursday from the Beacon Rock Trailhead Picnic Shelter, 34841 state Highway 14, Skamania. Dress for the weather. Call 509-427-8265 for day-of information. For other First Day Hikes in the region, visit www.parks.wa.gov or www.oregonstateparksorg..

Downtown Camas will be filled with games, crafts and cocoa as part of First Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Camas Antiques will host a “Downton Abbey” trivia game and serve tea for fans of the TV show. The activities take place at participating businesses along Northeast Fourth Avenue, Camas. Call 360-216-7378 or visit www.downtowncamas.com/.

GameStorm will host a Winter Game Day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver. There will be hundreds of tabletop games to play with friends and family, all for free. Visit www.gamestorm.org for more information.

If you haven’t explored Fort Vancouver by candlelight, there’s still four nights to peek into the past on the Lantern Tours. The popular program requires reservations, with the tours often selling out. Tours start at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 and 24, Feb. 14 and 28 at Fort Vancouver, 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver. Tickets are $10, $7 for ages 10 to 15. Call 360-816-6232 or visit nps.gov/fova.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is gearing up for its chamber music series, starting Jan. 11, with “A Bright New Year,” featuring soprano Barbara Choltco. The Columbia River Brass Band will give a Family Concert on March 8, followed by cellist Nancy Ives and pianist Cary Lewis performing in “Signs of Spring” in April. And in May, the musicians will bring to life Buster Keaton’s silent film classic “The General.” The concert series takes place at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. For tickets and more information, call 360-735-7278 or visit www.vancouversymphony.org.