EVENTS

Auburn Tourism: For special events or to add a special event, go to exploreauburn.com.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Gingerbread House Contest: noon, Dec. 2-16, Auburn Community & Event Center, 910 Ninth St. SE. Free and open to the public. Any structures, real or imaginary – houses, igloos, spaceships, etc. – will be accepted. Free and open to all groups and individuals. Eight child-category entries and 10 adult-category entries will be on display. Stop by and vote for your favorite display. Winners will be announced and awarded on Dec. 16.

A Victorian Country Christmas: Dec. 4-8, Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 4-5; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 6-7; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 8. Shop at more than 500 specialty stores, taste gourmet food and wine, visit with Santa, ride a horse drawn carriage and see professional stage shows. Online discount tickets: available through Dec. 6 at avictoriancountrychristmas.com. Admission: $13 for adults; $11 for seniors age 62 and older and for juniors 6-17. Military personnel: $10 with ID. Children 5 and younger: free with an adult. Gate prices are cash only. Parking is free on at designated Washington State Fairgrounds parking lots. For more information, visit avictoriancountrychristmas.com.

Santa Photos: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 122 W. Main St., 101B, Auburn. Auburn Downtown Association and Rail Hop’n Brewery are partnering to offer photos with St. Nick. Open to all ages. Cost: $1 for digital photos, $5 for printed copies (includes hot chocolate). Santa Photos open 10 to 11 a.m. for those individuals with special needs.

Photos with Santa Paws: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Auburn Valley Humane Society, 4910 A St. SE, Auburn. Bring in your four-legged friends for a picture with Santa Paws. Professional photography packages will be available. Proceeds support programs and services for lost, homeless and abandoned animals in our community. For more information, visit auburnvalleyhs.org/photos-with-santa-paws.

Cookies with Mrs. Claus: 2:30-4 p.m. Dec. 7, Washington Elementary, 20 E St. NE. Mrs. Claus will stop by before the Santa Parade for a special afternoon of holiday cheer. Bring the little ones by for stories read by Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, hot cocoa and Christmas crafts. Adults are free; children pre-registration entry fee is $8 for residents, $10 for non-residents. Day-of-registration entry fee is $12 for children only. It is recommended to pre-register prior to attending so staff can be properly prepared. Preregister at auburnwa.gov/events.

Santa Parade: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Main Street. Auburn tradition. For those who want to join in the parade, report to the lineup area at E Street Northeast and Main Street at 4 p.m. Registration is required and participants are asked to review the parade rules and regulations, available at auburnwa.gov/events. New this year, floats, vehicles and walking units will be accepted into the parade. All entries must be completely lighted. Following the parade, the annual tree lighting ceremony will be staged on the plaza at Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main St.

Algona’s 8th annual Tree Lighting: 5 p.m. Dec. 7, Algona Community Center, 200 Washington Blvd. Special performance by the Olympic Middle School Choir. Activities and treats for the kids. Free pictures with Santa.

Home Town Community Service inaugural holiday bazaar: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 14, Algona Community Center, 200 Washington Blvd. Lots of crafts and direct sales vendors; raffle prizes throughout the day. Food will be available for purchase.

Santa Pub Crawl: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 14, downtown Auburn. Join the Auburn Downtown Association for a holiday inspired pub craw. Begin the evening at Rail Hop’n Brewing to pick up your pub crawl punch card. Prizes for Best Festive Wear and Best Santa.

Parents’ Night Out: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 21, Les Gove Gym. If parents are looking for some “kid-free” time for a night out, or to do some last-minute shopping, send them to the holiday-inspired event. Games, crafts, a bouncy house, dinner and more kid-approved fun.

BENEFITS

Victorian Holiday Tea: Dec. 7, Neely Mansion,, 12303 SE Auburn-Black Diamond Road, Auburn. Seatings are at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Neely Mansion Association hosts holiday party. Light buffet and tea accompanied by live music. Tour the historic, festively-decorated Victorian Classic Revival Mansion and Japanese bath house with costumed docents. Hats and other finery welcome. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children, ages 5-10. Funds raised go toward the restoration and operating expenses of the mansion. Reservations are required. Reserve online at neelymansion.org or call 253-927-4250.

VOLUNTEERS

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: In conjunction with the IRS provides free tax-filing help to low and moderate- income taxpayers. Volunteers are needed to work during the 2020 tax season in Auburn, Covington, Enumclaw, Kent and Renton. Providing training and support to help develop the skills necessary to be a tax counselor or client facilitator. Apply at aarpfoundation.org/ taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669.

PROGRAMS

South King County Genealogical Society: 9:30 a.m. regular meetings, third Saturday of the month except for July, August and December, Wesley Lea Hill, second-floor Assembly Room, 32049 109th Place SE, Auburn. Social time prior to the program at 10 a.m. Free. For more information, visit skcgs.org.

HEALTH

Bloodworks Northwest drives: Appointments can be made by calling 800-398-7888, or visiting bloodworksnw.org.

Alzheimer’s Association Auburn Caregiver Support Group: Noon-1:30 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, Church of the Nazarene, 1225 29th St. SE, Room 15. Caring for someone with memory loss? Do you need information and support? Alzheimer’s Association family caregiver support groups provide a consistent and caring place for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also on a unique journey of providing care to a person with memory loss. For information, call Michael Bower, 206-569-7287.

SENIORS

Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth St. SE. 253-931-3016 or auburnwa.gov:

Activities

Senior Coffee Hour with Mayor and Councilmembers: 10-11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month.

Lunch: Monday-Friday. Salad bar begins at 11:30 a.m., Main meal served at noon. Cost: $4 suggested contribution for ages 60 and older, $6 younger than 60.

Movies: Wednesdays, 1 and 4:30 p.m.

Monday Social Dinner: 4:45-5:30 p.m. Second Monday of the month. $7 for all ages.

Meals on Wheels: Sound Generations program offers home-delivered meals to home-bound seniors. For more information, call the center at 253-931-3016.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Senior Center could not operate at the level is does without volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering please call the center to find out what the current volunteer needs are.

NETWORK

3No Networking: 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. 3No Networking is a casual weekly get-together set aside for members of the business community to drop in and get to know each other. The mixer rotates among Auburn venues. The series is made possible by a partnership between IPZ No. 15 Auburn, the City of Auburn Office of Economic Development, Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce and the Auburn Downtown Association. For more information, contact Doug Lein, IPZ administrator, at 253-804-3101. For a full schedule, visit www.3noNetworking.com.

Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Business Insider Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the third Tuesday of every month, Auburn Community and Event Center, 910 Ninth St. $25/members; $35/non-members (includes lunch). Register online through the chamber. For more information, contact Karen Wickstrom at 253-833-0700 or karen@auburnareawa.org.

ENTERTAINMENT

Auburn Avenue Theater

At 10 Auburn Ave. Call Auburn Parks, Arts & Rec at 253-931-3043; Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or auburnwa.gov/arts.

Auburn Community Players’ “The Five Ghosts of Ebenezer Scrooge:” 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, with 2 o’clock matinees on Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22. A twist on the traditional story.

Performing Arts Center

At 702 Fourth St. NE, Auburn. Call Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation at 253-931-3043 or order online at auburnwa.gov for print-at-home tickets.

Red, White & Blue Holiday Concert: 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Performing Art Center. The 133rd Washington Army National Guard performs holiday classics. Tickets are free with a suggested food donation and can be picked up in advance at the Parks, Arts & Rec Office, 910 Ninth St. SE.

Auburn Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Series, An Auburn Holiday Celebration: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Auburn Performing Arts Center, 702 Fourth St. NE, Featuring Auburn Riverside High School Orchestra, Melinda Wharton director; and Sherrill Miller, gala auction winner guest conductor. Evening of holiday cheer and musical delight. Favorites include “Sleigh Ride” and music from the blockbuster movie “Frozen.” Admission: $37 general, $30 senior (55-plus), $10 students. To order tickets, call 253-887-7777, or purchase online at auburnsymphony.org, or visit the box office at the concert.

Elsewhere

Zola’s Cafe: Live music every Friday, 7-9 p.m., 402 E. Main St., Suite 120. For information, contact Sonia Kessler at the cafe at 253-333-9652.

Bronn Journey: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Federal Way Performing Arts Center, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S., Federal Way. Come celebrate a traditional Christmas and the sounds of the season with music featuring Bronn Journey and his harp. Bronn brings a folksy style with spontaneity to an instrument commonly thought of as classical. Along with Bronn will be a small ensemble featuring strings, flutes, clarinet, percussion and a vocal quintet. The concert of inspired music and lighthearted humor will be enjoyed by all ages in the family. For tickets, visit fwpaec.org.

Children’s Dance Theater presents “The Nutcracker:” 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 21; 2 p.m. Dec. 21, Sumner Performing Arts Center, 1707 Main St., Sumner. Tickets: $20 online presale only, Nov. 1.-Dec. 17: $25 at the door. Visit childrensdancetheater.com/tickets.

MUSEUMS

White River Valley Museum

Location: 918 H St. SE, Auburn. Hours: Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and the first Thursday 6-8 p.m. Regular admission is $5 adults, $2 seniors and children. Children 2 years of age or younger are free. Free admission on the first Thursday and third Sunday of the month. For more information, visit wrvmuseum.org or call 253-288-7439.

Programs

Festival of Trees, A Celebration of Community and Culture: Nov. 20-Jan. 5. Catch the holiday spirit and learn about the traditions and cultures that make up the rich tapestry of people who call the South Sound region home. Exhibit features artificial pine trees decorated by ethnic heritage groups. Each tree offers a unique look at the culture of those who decorated it and guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite.

Holiday Super Duper Late Play Date: noon-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Dec. 5. Free, drop-in program for kids 3-12, featuring holiday-themed crafts and activities. No registration required.

Seattle Children’s Vintage Fashion Collection: 6 p.m. Dec. 11. From ball gowns to tea dresses to prom wear, see party dresses through the decades. Cost: $20 per person and includes light refreshments. Registration required at wrvmuseum.org

GALLERIES

Auburn City Hall: Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Admission is free. 253-931-3043 or auburnwa.gov.