Save the Date: Clark County bursting with Christmas spirit in December

Nov. 30-Dec. 22: Ride the train through winter woods, visit with Santa and pick out a Christmas tree with the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, offering Christmas Tree Trains Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, leaving at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. from 207 N. Railroad Ave., Yacolt. Tickets are $85 to $105 per family, depending on the tree. 360-686-3559 or www.bycx.com

Dec. 5-7: Metropolitan Performing Arts presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” inspired by the 1965 television show with Charles Schultz’s beloved comic characters. Performances are at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 6 and 7, with a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 7, at 6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Tickets are $12 to $14. www.MetropolitanPerformingArts.org

Dec. 5-19: There are many ways to see the Christmas Ships Parade, visible from the Vancouver Waterfront Dec. 5, 10, 11, 17, 18 and 19 (christmasships.org). Maryhill Winery offers a Dec. 5 cruise aboard the Willamette Star, or enjoy dinner in the tasting room Dec. 5, 10, 11, 18 and 19 (www.maryhillwinery.com/Visit/Vancouver). Attend a parade-viewing fundraiser 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 11 at WareHouse ’23 (www.warehouse1923.com), or watch the ships from the Port of Camas-Washougal, 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 (portcw.com).

Dec. 6: Get in the spirit with Santa, hayrides, shopping, choirs, bands and dancing during Hometown Holidays in downtown Camas from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The evening gets off to a bang at 6:30 p.m. with the tree lighting and fireworks (weather permitting). Enjoy food from vendors or restaurants and free parking with shuttle service. www.cityofcamas.us/parks

Dec. 6: Kick off the season at 5:30 p.m. at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground, with caroling, a jazz choir, free hot cocoa and cookies, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will arrive at 5:45 p.m. aboard the Fire District 3 Engine for the Annual Battle Ground Tree Lighting before the party moves inside at 6 p.m. www.cityofbg.org

Dec. 6-15: Journey Theater Arts presents “It’s a Wonderful Life, the Musical,” a tuneful adaptation of the classic film about George Bailey’s extraordinary ordinary life, at Washougal High School’s Washburn Performing Arts Center, 1201 39th St., Washougal, on Dec. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15. Tickets are $12 to $17. 360-750-8550 or journeytheater.org

Dec. 6-21: “Miracle on 34th Street” tells the heartwarming tale of a young girl’s unshakable belief in Santa Claus, brought to the Magenta Theater’s stage at 1108 Main St., Vancouver. The play shows at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. 360-635-4358 or www.magentatheater.com

Dec. 7: This year is the 20th anniversary of Ridgefield’s Hometown Celebration, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Ridgefield. Enjoy shopping, live music and concerts, a wine garden, hot cocoa and cider, plus visits with Santa and real reindeer — or take a Holiday Trolley Ride with Rudolph from noon to 3 p.m. The Tree Lighting Festival starts at 4:30 p.m. ridgefieldwa.us

Dec. 7-13: Celebrate the season at two choral concerts: A Touch of Class Chorale presents “The Gifts of Winter” 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at Mill Plain United Methodist Church, and 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at East Woods Presbyterian Church. Buy tickets ($10 to $12) at www.TouchofClassChorale.com. Hear Vancouver Master Chorale’s “A Celebration of Carols” 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at Vancouver’s First Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 at www.vancouvermasterchorale.org.

Dec. 7: Bravo! Vancouver presents “O Holy Night! A Christmas Celebration,” featuring Bach’s choral masterpiece “Christmas Oratorio” and Dave Brubeck’s “La Fiesta de la Posada,” featuring a children’s choir, mariachi players and a pinata, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Tickets are $30 at www.bravoconcerts.com.

Dec. 8: Meet the real-life Comet and Vixen at Uptown Village Reindeer Block Party, 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 on Main Street between 23rd and 24th streets. Attendees can also shop from artisan vendors, hear live music, and take advantage of free photos with Santa. www.uptownvillage.com

Dec. 13: Lend your voices to Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver. Vancouver Master Chorale’s singalong, accompanied by a pipe organ, is free. Bring a score or borrow one. vancouvermasterchorale.org

Dec. 14-15: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Celebration, 3 p.m. Dec. 14 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver, features works by Tchaikovsky, Bach and Strauss with Austrian soprano, Charlotte Pistor, and Columbia Dance Studio dancers. Tickets are $10 to $52. vancouversymphony.org

Dec. 14: Don your most hideous sweater for the Ugly Holiday Sweater Pub Crawl, 4 to 9 p.m. in Uptown Village. Visit participating brewpubs and taprooms and enjoy seasonal beers and discounts. Participation is free but food and beer are not. www.uptownvillage.com

Dec. 20-23: There are 10 different opportunities to see “The Nutcracker” in Vancouver this month. Friends of Danceworks offers performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 22 at Fort Vancouver High School. Tickets are $20 at danceworksperformingarts.com. Columbia Dance presents Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 22, and 1 p.m. Dec. 23 at Royal Durst Theatre at Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. Tickets are $15 to $20 at columbiadance.org.

Dec. 31: Ring in the new year at NYE: Roaring into the 20s, from 7:30 p.m. until the wee hours of Jan. 1 at WareHouse ’23, 100 Columbia St. Dress in your best flapper attire and enjoy live music by The Nu Wavers, an aerial acrobatics show, plus food and champagne. Tickets are $90 to $125 or $40 for late entry. www.tickettomato.com/event/6420.