>>> COMMUNITY

YE OLDE TREE LIGHTING

Hear ye, hear ye, longtime (or short time) people of Tacoma and the South Sound! Job Carr, Tacoma's original Gritizen and the first settler in these here parts, has a sweet little museum and original cabin replica in his honor in Tacoma's Old Town district (birthplace of our wonderful city), set near the shores of Commencement Bay. Feel all old-fashiony and nostalgic at the Old Town tree lighting celebration at the museum site and Old Town Park. Free photos with Santa, cookies and hot cocoa (while supplies last) mark the event. Even better, non-perishable food donations for Food Connection will be accepted during the event.

Old Town Tree Lighting and Santa Visit, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, Job Carr's Cabin Museum, 2350 N. 30th St., Tacoma, free, 253.627.5405

>>> GIFTS

OUTDOORSY GARAGE SALE

You won't find old TVs, outdated polyester clothes and mismatched dishes at this garage sale. Oh no. If you are an outdoor freak and ready to rumble with winter sports madness, get thee and get thee quickly to a garage sale that will knock your woolen socks off. REI Tacoma (home of sports stuff galore) is hosting an epic garage sale Saturday, Dec. 7 starting at 9 a.m. sharp. The goods? Slightly used or returned gear and clothing at EPICALLY low, low prices. And you know the fine print, (sold as is, all sales final, quantities limited) right? Ah, but do you care? Get there and check it out. Happy wallet, happy campers.

Tacoma REI Garage Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, REI, 3825 S. Steele St., Tacoma, free admission, 253.671.1938

>>> FESTIVAL

WANDERLUST IN POCTOR

The ever so charming and historic Proctor District in Tacoma's North End is just the place to merrily wander about to shop, sip, nosh on some good eats and just hang out. The district cordially invites you to Proctor Holiday Fest Saturday, Dec. 7, where you can do just that and more. Carolers will be roaming the streets singing sweet holiday tunes and the Mt. Tahoma High School musicians will be there to offer splendid music accompaniment. Business owners are offering cool deals, too, so check out the shops. Santa will be there as well with a candy cane or two.

Proctor Holiday Fest, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 7, Proctor District, North 26th Street and Proctor, Tacoma, free admission, email info@proctordistrict.com for more information

>>> PETS

SPARKY VS. SANTA

Why is it that dogs are so dang adorable in Santa hats and fake reindeer antlers? And gosh darn it, when you see a cute pooch sitting with Santa Claus, you WILL grin from ear to ear, right? We just love our fur babies, don't we? There are two places to capture the holiday moment with your beloved Fido AND do something nice for other pets in need. Local Petsmart and Petco stores are offering two Santa photo events. Santa Claws Photo Event (bring your own camera to take pics), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 7 and 14, all South Sound Petsmart locations (stores.petsmart.com); $5 donation supports local animal welfare groups.

Photos with Santa Event, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 7 and 14, South Sound Petco locations (petco.com); $8.95 donation supports the Petco Foundation, which helps animals in need

>>> SHOPPING

OVER THE BRIDGE

Gig Harbor, the city to the west and just a hop, skip ‘n jump over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, is a great place to visit and explore for many reasons, but there's one groovy little addition that will warm your heart (literally). The Gig Harbor Farmers Market has a special indoor fall farmers market offered Saturdays through Dec. 21. So, as we stroll along the bounties of fresh local produce, flowers, baked goods, crafts, special treats and more indoors, we can tap our toasty and dry toes to some live local entertainment. Localvore heaven for our eating and holiday shopping pleasures indoors. Oh by the way, did we mention that this event is indoors?

Gig Harbor Indoor Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 7, 14 and 21, former Peninsula Gardens Site, 5503 Wollochet Dr., Gig Harbor, free admission, gigharborfarmersmarket.com

>>> THE ARTS

THE NEW OLD NUTCRACKER

Hello, holiday tradition! The Nutcracker ballet performance is a holiday forever classic. The Tacoma City Ballet does it up right and with a delightful twist. Did you know that there's a "prequel" to The Nutcracker called The Prequel or Tale of the Hard Nut? Celebrating its 30th performance season, the ballet company takes on The Nutcracker performance in its entirety, which includes the prequel. In short: prepare to be dazzled, delighted and enchanted. Good stuff.

The Nutcracker and the Tale of The Hard Nut, 3 p.m., Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, $20-$60, 253.591.2013

>>> TASTINGS

BUBBLES, BUBBLES, BUBBLES

A little bubbly and a great wine just make the holidays all sparkly, shiny and super delicious. This time of year, food and wine pairings are super fun and just make the holiday nibbles sing. The good news - finding that great wine doesn't need to be a costly thing. Tacoma Wine Merchants, located in the heart of the historic and cool Stadium District in Tacoma, is your local resource for great wine and great advice. Longtime wine expert, storeowner and cool cat Bill Bonnie is here to help. He's totally in the know when it comes to domestic and international wines - just ask away. And on Saturday afternoons throughout the month of December, pop on in for a little sip of featured bubbles!

Sip and shop, noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28, Tacoma Wine Merchants, 21 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.8258

>>> FESTIVAL

LET IT SNOW

It's "snow" good denying it: Winter is coming to the South Sound faster than you can say "icicle." So why not kick off the season with a little arty fun in downtown Tacoma with our good friends at the Tacoma Art Museum? The museum cordially invites you to "Let It Snow," a free community festival Dec. 8 that's sure to warm you up proper. In addition to enjoying the museum, patrons will get a chance to try printmaking and create a custom holiday card. Have more holiday shopping to do? Check out the dreamy museum store, which is offering a special 10 percent discount off items (if you're a museum member, you get your 10 percent membership discount PLUS the extra 10 percent off for "Let It Snow" - bonus!). Grab a hot beverage to warm up at the museum's café, too.

Let It Snow Community Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, free admission, 253.272.4258

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar