The winter holidays are a time to share precious times with family and friends. In the spirit of gathering together, we have compiled a winter calendar brimming with spectacular events to enjoy with your loved ones. From all of us at Weekly Volcano and Northwets Military: We hope that you and yours have a wonderful holiday season.

Events

THROUGH JAN. 12: Franciscan Polar Plaza. Ice-skating in a tented rink in downtown Tacoma, with special events including live bands every Saturday from 7-9 pm. $4-$8. Tollefson Plaza. Tacoma.Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street, polarplaza.com

THROUGH JAN. 1: Fantasy Lights. Drive-only holiday light show. 5:30-9 pm. $13. Spanaway Park. Spanaway. West of 152^nd and Pacific Avenue, 253.798.3330.

THROUGH JAN. 5: Zoolights. 5-9 pm. $4.25-$8.75. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Tacoma. 5400 N. Pearl St., 253.591.5337

THROUGH DEC. 24: Free parking. Two hours of parking free. Downtown Olympia. Itsyourolympia.com

THROUGH JAN. 1: Model Train festival. $7-$9.50. Washington State History Museum. Tacoma. 1911 Pacific Ave., 253.272.9747

DEC. 24: Jingle Bell Run. 1 pm. $10-$25. Wright Park. Tacoma. 316 S. g St., 253.305.1022

DEC. 26-JAN. 1: Winter Wildland. 9:30 am-3 pm. Free-$18.25. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Eatonville. 11610 Trek Dr. E., 360.832.6117

DEC. 31: Countdown Coneheads New Year's Eve Celebration. 1-5 pm. Museum of Glass. Tacoma. 1801 Dock St., 253.396.1768

DEC. 31: First Night Tacoma arts and music explosion. 7 pm. Free-$14. Downtown Tacoma. Firstnighttacoma.org

DEC. 31: Ciao! - A NYE Experience. 8:30 pm to 3 am. $35-$500. Cultura Event Center. Tacoma. 5602 S. Washington St., 253.444.2314

DEC. 31: First Night Presents: Nose Ringers vs Old Farts - A Gravity-Powered Art Car Race. 9 pm. Downtown Tacoma. Ninth and St. Helens, firstnighttacoma.org

DEC. 31: New Year's Eve Black & White Affair Dinner and Dance. 9 pm. $35. STAR Center. Tacoma. 3873 S. 66^th St., 253.282.9353

JAN. 1: Polar Bear Plunge. 11:30 am. Free. Point Defiance Marina. Tacoma. 5400 N. pearl St., metroparkstacoma.org

Kids

THROUGH DEC. 24: Photos with Santa. Times and prices vary. Tacoma Mall. Tacoma. 4502 S. Steele St., facebook.com/tacomamall

Music

DEC. 28: Kim Archer on Ice. 7-9 pm. Free, $4-$8 ice-skating. Franciscan Polar Plaza. Tacoma. 77th  Street and Pacific Avenue, polarplaza.org

JAN. 4: Leah Tussing and Rafael Tranquilino on Ice. 7-9 pm. Free, $4-$8 ice-skating. Franciscan Polar Plaza. Tacoma. 17th  Street and Pacific Avenue, polarplaza.org

Stage

THROUGH DEC. 31: The Stardust Christmas Blizzard. Every Thursday thru Sunday, 8 pm Thurs-Sat; 2 pm Sun, 2 pm Dec 24; 7 pm Dec 31. $15-$38. Harlequin Productions. Olympia. 202 Fourth Ave. E., 360.786.0151

See Also

Calendar: Arts and Entertainment

Calendar: Music and Nightlife