1. Celebration of light
Join the Community Chanukah Celebration for a night of light, beginning with the Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Hanukkah starts on Dec. 24 and lasts for eight days, until Jan. 1. The celebration runs 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 26 in Esther Short Park, West Sixth and Columbia streets, Vancouver, featuring a performance by fire dancers and jugglers from Flamebuoyant Productions. Then check out the festivities at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St. in Vancouver, including children’s activities, a kosher food market and a giant menorah. Admission is free. 360-993-5222 or www.jewishclarkcounty.com
2. Music after Christmas
Catch Holy Redeemer Choir from Vancouver, pianist Mac Potts, Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising, Ave Maria Chorus and the Jubilate Trio during the Dec. 26 performances at the Christmas Festival of Lights. The Grotto hosts one of the largest Christmas choral festivals through the month of December, with nightly holiday concerts, along with outdoor caroling, holiday light displays, puppet shows and a petting zoo in the plaza. The festival continues 5 to 9:30 p.m. daily, through Dec. 30 at the Grotto, 8840 N.E. Skidmore St., Portland. The Grotto is closed Dec. 25, and there will be no choir performance Dec. 24. Admission is $11, $10 for seniors, $6 for age 12 and younger, free for ages 2 and younger. 503-261-2400 or www.thegrotto.org/christmas-festival-of-lights
3. Space gingerbread
Combine gingerbread with space exploration at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. In the exhibit Gingerbread Adventures, on display through Jan. 2, six architectural firms and six bakeries have created towering gingerbread sculptures that highlight engineering, physics and food sciences. And Journey to Space: The Exhibition, on display through Jan. 8, explores the future of space travel and the challenges of living and working in space. OMSI will be open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 through Jan. 1; and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24. The museum is closed Dec. 25. OMSI at 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland. Admission is $14; $10.75 for seniors; $9.75 for ages 3 to 17; and $2 on the first Sunday of each month. There are additional costs for Empirical Theater films, submarine tours, laser light and planetarium shows. 800-955-6674 or www.omsi.edu
4. Ruby slippers
Travel with Dorothy and Toto to the magical kingdom filled with munchkins, flying monkeys, witches and wizards as a girl from Kansas discovers wisdom, compassion, courage and the way home. Northwest Children’s Theater and School presents “The Wizard of Oz” through Jan. 2, with showtimes at noon and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Dec. 26-27, Dec. 29-30 and Jan. 1; and noon Dec. 24, Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 at Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 N.W. Everett St., Portland. Tickets are $20 to $25, and $16 to $22 for youth. 503-222-4480 or nwcts.org
