THURSDAY, DEC. 12 2013 >>>

1. Ho, ho, hold up  -  where's your ugly holiday sweater? Don't show up to Tacoma Runners Ugly Sweater Run tonight without one, because some sort of ugliness  -  be it a deck-the-halls display or a simple Santa face - is mandatory. The event will kick off with a 6:30 p.m. check-in at Slappy's Garage - North End Tavern. The Christmasy 3-mile run will wind through Tacoma's northend, with the runners returning to Slappy's to toss back a bunch of drinkies. You've finally got a use for that reindeer sweater grandma knitted you, so Febreeze off the mothball odor and come run around the Proctor District to spread some Christmas cheer.

2. Engine House No. 9 celebrates not one but two upcoming eves of big brew festivity. First, Charles Finkle of Pike Brewing drops in during 4-6 p.m. happy hour tonight with loads of holiday style flavor in his 2012 Old Bawdy Barley Wine. Second, E-9 celebrates again on a Thursday at its annual Snow Cru Release Party Dec. 19. Expect to sip on rhubarb, blackberry and golden berry sours plus guest winter brews.

3. The Swiss hosts a fundraiser for those suffering in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the country. Beginning at 5 p.m. and running through 9 p.m. The Bosses, Philippine Dance Company, Robin Dalynn, Island Bound and Rafael Tranquilino will perform. Expect a raffle and a $10 donation cover charge.

4. Drunken Santas; disgruntled holiday elves; holiday shoppers who have lost their minds; and creeped out kids. Join The Changing Scene Theatre Northwest, the Kitsap Peninsula's only fringe theater, in conjunction with the historic Tacoma Little Theatre for a performance of David Sedaris' one man show, The Santaland Diaries. Follow the tale of a down-on-his-luck New York actor who is forced to take a job as an elf at Macy's during the holiday season. Outrageousness, hilarity and a bit o'snark ensue, beginning at 7 p.m. Only two performances (mature content for mature elves, ages 14+ only). Catch it while you can!

5. It's been winter in Narnia for ever so long. Always winter and never Christmas, can you imagine? What if there was another world inside an old wardrobe? A world under the rule of a cruel queen, where everyone lived in fear and it never stopped snowing. The Lakewood Playhouse opens Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at 8 p.m. Join the Pevensie children on the greatest adventure of their lives. 

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Thursday, Dec. 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area