1. Pure imagination
The Holiday Dreams show at ilani offers more than visions of sugarplums — audiences will be wowed by holograms, projection mapping, interactive lasers and award-winning cirque artists. This all-ages show is a merry mix of gravity-defying acrobatics, body-bending balancing acts, comedy, singing and daredevil deeds set to a modern soundtrack in ilani’s Cowlitz Ballroom at 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield. Choose one of two performances: 2 to 4 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15. Reserved seats at either show are available for $19 and $29 and can be purchased online by visiting ilaniresort.com or ticketmaster.com, or by calling 877-464-5264.
2. Holiday hoopla
The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus is crossing the river to bring its popular holiday concert “The Most Wonderful Season” to Vancouver. The performance is at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Royal Durst Theatre on the campus of Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, 3101 Main St., featuring music celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter solstice and the New Year, with tunes from “The Polar Express,” Toby Keith, Sara Bareilles and more. This production is packed with singing, dancing, lights and costumes, with an audience singalong thrown in for good measure. Tickets are $30 for adults or $15 for students. Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for local food bank Martha’s Pantry. 503-226-2588 or www.pdxgmc.org
3. Festive fort frolic
For an old-fashioned Christmas — really old fashioned, as in 1840 — try Christmas at Fort Vancouver, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at 1001 E. Fifth St. at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Within the reconstructed fort, volunteers will portray the sights and sounds of an 1840s fur trade Christmas. Hear caroling by the Madrigal Singers while enjoying complimentary hot drinks, games, music, demonstrations and dancing. Guests can also try their hands at Victorian-era crafts, with materials provided to make toy tops, wreaths and potpourri ornaments to take home. Adults are $10; kids 15 and under are free. Skip the long entry lines and buy tickets at yourpassnow.com/r1s/, or visit www.nps.gov/fova/learn/news/christmas2019.htm.
4. Silver bells and singing
Columbia Springs, a 100-acre natural area, environmental education center and trout hatchery at 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway, Vancouver, invites you to join the Holly Jolly Jam and raise your voices in the frosty air starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 14. Bring an instrument, sing some carols, or simply come to listen and enjoy the festivities. Come to the visitor center’s backyard, which will be twinkling with holiday lights, or head inside to cozy up with hot cocoa and sweet treats. Columbia Springs is a nonprofit organization; the event is free, but please consider donating to help keep programs like guided walks, workshops, school field trips, summer camps and family nature days going. 360-882-0936 or www.columbiasprings.org
