As many as 200 people will get what may be their first experience as a passenger on an individually owned yacht during the Holiday Cruise for people with disabilities, Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Foss Waterway Seaport. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a post-cruise dance party and a visit from Santa Claus.
Between 25 and 30 boats typically take part. This year Sea Scouts will host guests on The Curtis. Individual boat owners contribute, and the cruise gets additional support from Day Island Yacht Club, Tacoma Yacht Club, Fircrest Yacht Club, and Totem Yacht Club.
Volunteers and participants typically don holiday garb and boat owners decorate their watercraft to enhance the experience as they take people with disabilities out onto the water.
Metro Parks Tacoma is seeking additional boats, volunteers and contributions. Volunteers may be asked to chaperone guests on the boats or serve on shore, perhaps as one of Santa’s elves. Monetary donations are welcome, as are supplies, including cocoa, cups, coffee, creamer, snacks, water bottles, tables and chairs.
Cost: $10. Preregistration is required.
To volunteer or for more information: Call 253-404-3950, www.metroparkstacoma.org/specialized
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 26-27 – Children’s Museum of Tacoma hosts “Gingerbread Jamboree,”, a series of gingerbread house decorating workshops for all ages, at Hotel Murano’s Bicentenial Pavilion (1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma), 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each day. Advanced registration is required. $40 for family of four. www.playtacoma.org/gingie | 253-627-6031 ext. 221
Through-Dec. 10 (Fridays and Saturdays) – “A Christmas Story,” Paradise Theatre, (3114 Judson St., Gig Harbor), Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday matinees, 2 p.m. $10-27. 253-851-7529 | www.paradisetheatre.org
Thursday, Nov. 24 – Gig Harbor Turkey Trot 5K and 10K, Gig Harbor Post Office (Gig Harbor post office (3118 Judson St., Gig Harbor), 8 a.m., 12-under free; $30 ($15 pre-registered) and charitable food donation. https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=124108
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 26-27 – Peninsula High School Winerfest, arts and crafts show, Peninsula High School (14105 Purdy Dr. NW, Gig Harbor), Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5. www.phswinterfest.com
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Gig Harbor Tree Lighting Ceremony and arrival of Santa Claus, Donkey Creek Park (8714 N. Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor), 5-8 p.m. www.gigharborguide.com
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-4 – Tacoma Festival of the Nativity, “Star of Wonder, Star of Light,”, 1102 S. Pearl St., Tacoma, 1-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1-7 p.m. Sunday. Free. www.tacomanativity.org
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 3-4 – Tide Fest Arts Fair, arts and crafts festival, Gig Harbor High School (5101 Rosedale St. NW, Gig Harbor), Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5. www.tidefest.org
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Tacoma Musical Playhouse presents “Sing-along with Santa,” 7116 6th Ave., Tacoma. Tickets $10. 253-565-6867 | www.tmp.org
Monday, Dec. 5 – A Big Band Christmas with the Swing Reunion Orchestra, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 6th Ave., Tacoma. Tickets $25. 253-565-6867 | www.tmp.org
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade, around the Gig Harbor waterfront, 5 p.m. www.gigharboryc.com
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Hilltop Artists Winter Glass Sale, Jason Lee Middle School (602 N Sprague Ave., Tacoma), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Timed entry tickets available at 9 a.m. www.hilltopartists.org | Email: info@hilltopartists.org | 253-571-7670
Sunday, Dec. 11 – Yule Log Hunt at Schafer State Park (1365 W. Schafer Park Road, Elma), 1 p.m. Free. www.fosls.org
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra Winter Concert, Peninsula High School auditorium(14105 Purdy Dr. NW, Gig Harbor), 7 p.m. Free. www.ghpcorchestra.com
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Poulsbo Yacht Club Lighted Ships Parade, Poulsbo Yacht Club marina (18129 Fjord Drive NE, Poulsbo), 5 p.m. www.facebook.com/PoulsboYachtClub
Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 20-22 – Pierce County Parks and Recreation’s Eco Explorers Camp (ages 8-12), Sprinker Recreation Center (14824 C St. S., Tacoma), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $50. Registration by Dec. 16 is required. www.piercecountywa.org/DocumentCenter/View/44835
Dec. 17-Dec. 24 – Tacoma Musical Playhouse presents a stage adaptation of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,”, 7116 6th Ave., Tacoma. Tickets $10. Saturday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 24, 11 a.m.; Monday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 23, 7 p.m. 253-565-6867 | www.tmp.org
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Sunday, Jan. 1 – Model Train Festival, State History Museum (1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Christmas eve and Christmas). Historical Society members and children 5-under, free; Military/students/seniors, $8; Adults, $12. www.washingtonhistory.org
