December Free Activities

There are lots and lots of free events taking place in Salem and the surrounding area throughout the rest of December.

Now through Dec. 21

Holiday Performances at the Capitol: School and regional choirs and other musical groups perform. Times vary, Oregon State Capitol, Rotunda, 900 Court St. NE. Free. (503) 986-1848, www.leg.state.or.us.

Dec. 6

Kids Club: Children participate in an activity. Each child will have a chance to win tickets to Regal Cinemas, 6 to 7 p.m., Lancaster Mall, near Sports Authority, 831 Lancaster Drive NE. Free. (503) 585-1338, www.lancastermall.com.

Blanchet Catholic School’s Christmas Music Concert: Festive holiday music presented by choir and band students, 7 p.m., Blanchet Catholic School, Wiegand Arts Center, 4373 Market St. NE. Free. (503) 391-2639.

Dec. 6-8

Rickreall Christmas Pageant: Tradition since 1938, presents the Nativity Story, 8 p.m., Rickreall Event Hall, 300 Main St., Rickreall. Free, donations accepted. (503) 623-0958, www.RickreallChristmasPageant.com.

Dec. 7

History of Oregon: Presented by Darin Jabin, 3 p.m., Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St., Silverton. Free. (503) 873-3093.

First Friday Festivities: Free photos with Santa before and after 7 p.m.; tree lighting in Town Square Park, pulled pork sliders supper, home-baked goodies, free kids’ Christmas crafts, gift basket silent auction; donations benefit Healthy Snack Sacks program and other church community ministries, 5 to 8 p.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 203 W Main St., Silverton. Free. (503) 873-6517.

Salem Art Association: Fine Art Friday: To celebrate the opening of Oregon Territory, a two-person exhibition featuring watercolor paintings of Northwest vistas by Dale Kurtz and wildlife sculptures in wood and stone by Dale Crawford, 5 to 7 p.m., Bush Barn Art Center, 600 Mission St. SE. Free. (503) 581-2228, ext. 302, www.SalemArt.org.

‘One Bethlehem Night’: Broadway-style Christmas musical with a cast of 50, 7 to 8:30 p.m., First Christian Church, Sanctuary, 685 Marion St. NE. Free-will offering. (503) 363-9273, www.salemfcc.org.

2012 Battle of the Bands: Area bands play original music and compete for applause, glory and cash. Bands include Your Friendly Beast, Solar Cellar, Spotting Moxie and The Starship Renegade, 7 to 9 p.m., Salem Public Library, Loucks Auditorium, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free admission. Suggested donation of 2 cans of food for Marion-Polk Food Share. (503) 588-6052, www.salemlibrary.org.

Dec. 7-26

Keizer’s Miracle of Christmas Light Display: Walk or drive the 3.5 mile route of several homes decorated in holiday lights and displays. Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 26, Gubser Neighborhood, Keizer. Free admission. Donations of canned foods and nonperishable items are accepted along the route for Marion Polk Food Share and Keizer Chamber of Commerce for local food baskets. (503) 393-9111, www.keizerchamber.com.

Dec. 8

Celebrating Families Holiday Festival: Make a wreath, decorate a gingerbread man, create a crown or tiara, face painting and other craft projects. Visit with Santa and vote for your favorite decorated tree. Cocoa and cookies, 1 to 4 p.m., Silverton Community Center, 421 S Water St., Silverton. Free. (503) 873-5615, (503) 873-0405.

Free Santa Photos at Reruns for Kids Open House: Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Holiday treats and refreshments. Shop the deals on holiday clothes and toys. All proceeds are donated to Family Building Blocks and used to prevent child abuse in our community, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m, Reruns for Kids, 1455 Commercial St. SE. Free. (503) 371-7933, www.familybuildingblocks.org.

Make-N-Take Holiday Decorations: Including whimsical candy cane mouse ornaments, thumbprint reindeer cards, holiday tree ornaments along with festive coloring sheets for the youngest kids. For preschool through tweens, 1 to 4 p.m., Silver Falls Library, 410 S Water St., Silverton. Free. (503) 873-5173.

Read to a Pet: A chance for children to try the most relaxing, non-threatening way to practice reading out loud, to a dog or cat, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Salem Public Library, Children’s Room, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. (503) 588-6088, www.salemlibrary.org.

Spiral Muse Artist Reception: Three local artists present photography and paintings, 2 to 6 p.m., Spiral Muse, 875 High St. NE. Free. (503) 588-1400, www.spiralmusearts.com.

Live Nativity at Canyonview: Pony rides for ages 12 and younger, crafts and tree decorating, cookie decorating, Christmas caroling, and live production of the Christmas Story with real animals, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Canyonview Equestrian Center, 13000 Finlay Road NE, Silverton. Free. (971) 239-1347, www.canyonviewcamp.org.

Festival of Lights Holiday Parade: Nighttime illuminated holiday parade that evokes community spirit, 7 p.m. Route starts at Lockhaven and River Road, and ends at Glynbrook, Keizer. Free. www.folholidayparade.org.

Silver Falls Christmas Festival: Make a wreath, gingerbread house, cards and ornaments. Also, storytelling for kids and live music. Appearances by JR Beaver and Santa, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. , Silver Falls State Park, South Falls lodge area, 20024 Silver Falls Highway SE, Sublimity. Free; $5 day use parking pass. (503) 873-8735, www.oregonstateparks.org.

Dec. 9

Bush House Museum Holiday Open Museum: Live holiday music, seasonal stories, children’s ornament making and holiday decorations, 1 to 4 p.m., Bush House Museum, 600 Mission St. SE. Free. (503) 363-4714, www.SalemArt.org.

Holiday Open House: Live music, a visit from ol’ Saint Nick, and festive displays, 1 to 4 p.m., Historic Deepwood Estate, 1116 Mission St. SE. Free. (503) 363-18254, www.historicdeepwoodestate.org.

Salem Community Chorus Presents: Carols Everywhere!: Diverse program of Spanish, French, and Nigerian carols; Vivaldi’s Gloria; and American favorites, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Salem Public Library, Loucks Auditorium, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free, donations accepted. (971) 222-6209, www.scchorus.com.

Seasonal Concert: Features Linda Allen, organist/pianist, Mark Babson, violinist, Gail Gillespie, flutist, Jennifer Gleason, cellist, Natalie Gunn, soprano, and Pablo Izquierdo, oboist, 4 to 6 p.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 203 W Main St., Silverton. Free-will offering. (503) 873-6517.

Lights of Change — Penny Menorah Lighting: Coin drive benefits Food Share. Bring coins to add to the Menorah. Watch a juggling act; live music; hot latkes, arts and crafts for the kids, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Salem Center Mall, Food Court, 401 Center St. NE. Free. (503) 383-9569, www.JewishSalem.com.

Dec. 12 and 19

Christmas at Noon: Live concerts celebrate Christmas with music and song. Organ and piano on Dec. 12; and the Just for Fun Singers on Dec. 19, noon to 12:50 p.m., First Christian Church, Sanctuary, 685 Marion St. NE. Seating Info: Open seating. Free. (503) 363-9273, www.salemfcc.org.

Dec. 12

‘Seasons to Remember’ Art Show Open House: Features artist interpretations of the changing seasons in acrylic paints. Caroling by Western Singers from Western Mennonite School and a buffet dinner, 4 to 7 p.m., Center 50+, 2615 Portland Road NE. Free. RSVP. (503) 588-6303, senior.cityofsalem.net.

Festival of Fun: UKEphoria, ukulele players 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Just for Fun Singers, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Trinity Ding-a-Lings, bell ringers, 6:30 to 7 p.m. Punch and cookies will be served, Oregon State Capitol Rotunda, 900 Court St. NE. Free. (503)

986-1386, http://leg.state.or.us.

Dec. 14-16

“I Wish You Could Have Been There” Singing Nativity: Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child of any age to the

production for children in need in the community, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14-16; 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16, Peoples

Church, Auditorium, 4500 Lancaster Drive NE. Free. (503) 304-4000, www.peopleschurch.com.

Dec. 15 and 22

The Festival Singers at Lancaster Mall: Ensemble of singers dressed in traditional Victorian attire will be strolling the mall singing holiday carols throughout the season, 4 to 5 p.m. Lancaster Mall, 831 Lancaster Drive NE. Free. (503) 585-1338, www.lancastermall.com.

Dec. 15

Christmas Bird Count: Participants are divided into teams that try to count the number of birds of each species in a 7 1/2-mile radius of downtown Salem. Potluck dinner and tallying bird numbers to follow, all day, various locations. Free. (503) 522-7340, www.salemaudubon.org.

An Afternoon with Santa: Refreshments, raffle and a nonperishable food drive for Marion-Polk Food Share. Santa will visit from noon to 2 p.m., 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mother Goose Resale, 4576 Commercial St. SE. Free. (503) 363-0611, www.mothergosereale.com.

Illuminata Regatta: Paddlers light up their kayaks, canoes and Dragonboats for a Holiday Float on the Riverfront Park Slough. Launch from the dock by 5:30 p.m, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Riverfront Park, dock, 101 Front St. NE. Free. (503) 364-2818.

Dec. 15 and 16

Advent Organ Recital with Christopher Wicks: Wicks, Associate Director of Music at the church, plays a program of organ music of the season, 3 to 4 p.m., Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4440 State St. Free. Donations accepted to benefit the pipe organ repair fund. (503) 873-3461.

Dec. 18

Preschool Holiday Party: Preschoolers and their parents are invited to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with the Youth Services staff. Share seasonal stories, songs, a craft and a treat provided by a special visitor, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Salem Public Library, Anderson rooms A and B, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. (503) 588-6088, www.salemlibrary.org.

Dec. 19

Children’s Book Bingo: Winners earn a book for his or her family bookshelf, 2 to 3 p.m., Salem Public Library, Anderson rooms A and B, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. (503) 588-6088, www.salemlibrary.org.

Dec. 20

Last-Minute Gifts for Teens: Teens invited to make several gifts for special family members or friends. Also, help decorate the Mitten Tree by bringing new or gently used mittens, hats, scarves and other warm fuzzy things to benefit mothers, fathers and children of the YWCA of Salem, 4 to 5 p.m., Salem Public Library, Anderson rooms A and B, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. (503) 588-6083, www.salemlibrary.org.

Dec 21

Friday Family Film Fest: Showing “Arthur Christmas,” 2 to 4 p.m., Salem Public Library, Loucks Auditorium, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. (503) 588-6088, www.salemlibrary.org.

Friday with the Stars for Teens: Showing “Elf,” 4 to 5:30 p.m., Salem Public Library, Teen Scene, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free. (503) 588-6083, www.salemlibrary.org.

Dec. 25

Free Christmas Day Dinner: Free community dinner and gifts available for children in attendance, noon to 2 p.m., St. Philip Catholic Church, 825 SW Mill St., Dallas. Free. (503) 623-2440.

Free Rides at the Carousel: Free ride with canned food donation for Marion-Polk Food Share, noon to 4 p.m., Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St. NE. (503) 540-0374, www.salemcarousel.org.

Dec. 26

Family Board Game Day: Play board games, noon to 5 p.m., Salem Public Library, Children’s Room, 585 Liberty St. SE.

Free. (503) 588-6088, www.salemlibrary.org.

Dec. 27

Family Trivia Fun: Families work together against other family teams to answer questions about books, geography,

world holidays, popular culture, and more, 2 to 4 p.m., Salem Public Library, Anderson rooms A and B, 585 Liberty St. SE.

Free. (503) 588-6088, www.salemlibrary.org.

Dec. 28

Card Making Extravaganza: Get out of the house and come make thank you notes or other cards with our fun art supplies. All ages welcome, no registration necessary, 3:15 to 5 p.m., Stayton Public Library, EG Siegmund Meeting Room, 515 N First Ave., Stayton. Free. (503) 769-3313.