Holiday Happenings

Fremont Lights Up—Treat your eyes to the lighting of a 20-foot holiday tree, your ears to the sweet sounds of carolers, and your taste buds to hot cocoa and cider. Meanwhile, Getty Images make your dreams of capturing loved ones and Santa Claus in a digital photograph a reality. Lake Union Center, 701 N 34th, 548-9053. Free. 12/2, 5-7, tree lighting at 5:30.

Country Crafts Home and Gift Show—Savor the season's delights and thousands of hand-crafted gifts, furnishings, gourmet foods, garments, and accessories from 95 Northwest crafters and designers. Accepting canned food donations to benefit local food banks. Wheelchair accessible. Vasa Park Resort, 3549 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE, Bellevue, 425-888-1798 or www.country-craft.com. Free. Thu-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6. 12/2-12/4.

The Velveteen Rabbit—Remember that Margery Williams story about a velveteen rabbit who becomes a boy's best pal, until the stuffed animal's exiled from the house after the boy contracts scarlet fever? Whether you do or not, you don't want to miss Burgess Clark's stage adaptation of this timeless tale, as directed by Christine Sumpton. Set designer Edie Whitsett moves away from the traditional English nursery of earlier productions to impart an open, Scandinavian-inspired atmosphere. The puppets are an integral part of the staging, with all puppeteers fully visible and incorporated into the action on stage. Presented by Seattle Children's Theater. Seattle Center, Eve Alvord Theater, 441-3322. Adult matinees $20.50/evenings $19.50; senior/student/child matinees $14.50/evenings $13.50. Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30. 12/2-1/15/00.

Northern Lights—Disneyland, eat yer heart out! Northwest Christmas Lighting presents the second annual season of the Pacific Northwest's only drive-through holiday light park, a mile-long journey through one million bulbs incorporated into gigantic animated displays. Be on the lookout as local charities and nonprofits hand out Lightbucks coupons for $2 off regular admission, because 10 percent of the gross revenue from each coupon redeemed goes back to the charities and nonprofits. Marymoor Park, Redmond, 230-5280. 1-4 passengers, $10; 5-15, $15; limousine, $25; bus, $60. 12/2-26, 5-10.

University Village's Annual Sharing & Caring Tree—Now's your chance to share the spirit of the season with children in need by selecting a gift wish ornament from the Sharing & Caring Tree. Shoppers can also purchase a child's gift wish and return it unwrapped to the tree for delivery to the child's home on Christmas Eve. Co-sponsored by the University Sunrise Rotary Club and Boy Scout Troop #186, donating to University Food Bank, Central Area Motivational Program, and Fremont Food Bank. University Village, Center Court, 523-7104. Gift drop-off times: Weeknights 5-8, Sat 10-6, Sun noon-5. 12/2-19.

The Teddy Bear Suite—Don't miss your chance to hang out with the Teddy Bear family in their rustic holiday cabin! Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, 411 University, 621-1700 ext. 3259. Free, donations to Children's Hospital gladly accepted. 12/2-31, 9-7.

The Art of the Holiday Season Tour—What's better than a trip to Vancouver? A trip to Vancouver with a tour of selected group artist studios where you can buy one-of-a-kind works in ceramic, wood, glass, and other media. This tour of Vancouver features neighborhoods filled with festive lights and a visit to the home gallery of Trudy Van Dop, one of the most prominent galleries in Western Canada and home of an outstanding collection of contemporary Canadian fine art and crafts from across the country. Pickup from downtown Vancouver hotels, call 604-646-6636 for information. $56. 12/2-23, 5-9pm.

Bellevue: The Magic Season—Where else to celebrate the holidays than beautiful Bellevue? Here's a sample of the treats downtown's offering during its Magic Season celebration: Skating at the Wells Fargo Ice Arena under the big-top tent in Downtown Bellevue Park, one block south of Bellevue Square, 425-451-2455. $5 admission, $2 skate rentals. Overlake Hospital Garden D'Lights offers 3-D "blossoms" fashioned from nearly 200,000 lights, accompanied by musical entertainment and treats. Bellevue Botanical Gardens, 12001 Main, 425-451-3755. $3 donation. 5-10. Main Street Magic in Old Bellevue allows you to stroll through Old Bellevue while enjoying a neighborhood enriched with over 80 unique shops and boutiques, specialty restaurants, holiday lighting, and festive decor. Old Bellevue, Main, 425-453-1655. Santa's Toyland Parade brings the jolly old man to town by horse-drawn carriage. The parade begins at the west drive of Bellevue Square 12/26 at 5:30, and free entertainment follows in the Center Court at 6:30. Bellevue Square, 425-454-8096. 12/2-1/3/00.

16th Annual Holiday Open House—Alpacas and sheep and goats, oh my! A holiday dream come true: pony rides, story time with Santa, and one treat you'll only find in the Pacific Northwest... Santa's team of salmon! 12526 Avondale Rd NE, Redmond, 425-885-5678. 12/2-5, 12/11-12 noon-4; pony rides available 12/5, noon-3:30. 12/2-12.

The Nutcracker Puppet Ballet—Whirling ballerina puppets! Frolicking Russian bears! Don't miss out on this magical theatrical event. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th NE, 523-2579. $8.50/$7 seniors/$6.50 children. Fri at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3. 12/2-19.

Citizen Scrooge—Unexpected Productions brings back this much-requested hilarious cross between Orson Welles' film Citizen Kane and the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. 12/2-23.

Photos with Santa—No way will any Christmas ever be complete without a photo of your darling little child getting his picture taken while whispering sweet nothings into Santa's ear. You can even bring your dog along, in case he wants to sit on Santa, too. Country Village, 23714 Bothell-Everett Hwy, 282-2767. Thu-Fri 3-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5. 12/2-23.