WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24 2014 >>>

1. Whether you want to channel your inner Winter Olympics sports nerd, capture the magic of the season in a vibrant urban venue or just have a wintery and sporty adventure, break out the ice skates, people, because the Franciscan Polar Plaza, in partnership with the Tacoma Art Museum, is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bring family and friends to Tacoma's holiday ice rink for holiday fun and a good time right in the heart of downtown Tacoma.

2. The Harmon Tap Room has teamed up with Ice Cream Social to serve Puget Sound Porter Ice Cream from 2-4 p.m. at the Tap Room.

3. Take a driving tour of Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park, where carloads of travelers can see more than 300 stunning displays of lights and imaginative animation over a two-mile stretch of Spanaway Lake Park from 5:30-9 p.m. 

4. For Christians the world over, Christmas Eve means being trapped for endless hours with the family while listening to Hall and Oates sing Christmas carols. But for everyone else, Christmas Eve is a pony of an entirely different hue. People of all faiths and no faith are invited to celebrate Christmas Eve at Unity of Olympia. This is an annual community service where everyone lights each other's candles and appreciate the Light within all. If you can, arrive by 6 p.m. to join the Unity Choir for a holiday sing-along. 

5. The Percival Landing boardwalk is the home of the 6th annual Dancing Lights Marine Christmas Show. The Olympia Yacht Club has converted the marina into a holiday light display, computer-animated mind you. Dora The Friendly Sea Dagon greets you, as does a 45-foot yacht decorated with more than 20,000 lights. The 45-minute program consists of nine musical selections and runs twice each evening from 7-8:30 p.m. Hurrah!

LINK: Wednesday, Dec. 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area