It’s another fun-filled December weekend for local families. Again we’ve highlighted just a few of the family-friendly options, but you’ll find loads more on our online calendar. Check our Holiday Highlights for a full list of holiday events for families, too.

Happy Hanukah! (The eight-day festival of lights begins at sundown tonight.)

Friday
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting. See the giant menorah lit up in Pioneer Courthouse Square, followed by a public Hanukah party. Festivities begin at 4:09 pm. Free. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th St. 503-223-1613. www.pioneercourthousesquare.org.

Saturday and Sunday
Science of Juggling. OMSI hosts our FAVORITE juggler, Rhys Thomas (among others), this weekend during its Science of Juggling celebration. Discover the fascinating science behind the ancient art of juggling. Thomas will present “Science Circus” three times each day at 11 am, 1 and 3 pm in the OMSI auditorium. Amazama Juggling School will be in the OMSI auditorium both days, 10 am to 5 pm. This event is included with paid museum admission: $11 adults, $9 ages 3 to 13. Parking $2. 1945 SE Water Ave. 503-797-4000. www.omsi.edu.

Saturday
Wrapping Paper Workshop. Artist Colleen Cavin shows you how to make your own unique wrapping paper. All ages. 3 pm. Free. Belmont Library, 1038 SE 39th Ave. 503-988-5382. www.multcolib.org.

Parents’ Survival Night. Drop the kids at The Little Gym in Beaverton for an evening of games, music, crafts and physical fitness while you go out and have some fun of your own. Ages 3 to 10. Call for times, directions and prices. 503-579-0859. www.thelittlegym.com.

Second Saturday: Holiday Go Round. Make gifts and fun from re-purposed materials. All ages, but kids must have an adult companion. 1 to 3 pm. Free. Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. 360-487-7115. www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/watercenter.htm.

Santa Saturday. Photo opps with Santa at the old Belmont Firehouse. All ages. 10 am to 3 pm. Free ($5 donation encouraged). 900 SE 35th Ave. 503-823-3615. www.jeffmorrisfoundation.org.

Christmas at Fort Vancouver. Experience holiday festivities from the 1800s including caroling, storytelling, games and more. All ages. 10 am to 3 pm. $5 family, $3 ages 16 and up. 1001 E 5th St. 360-816-6230. www.nps.gov/fova/planyourvisit/events.htm.

Sunday
Posada Milagro. Christmas celebration with theater, music and dance. All ages. 1 to 5 pm, performances at 2 and 4 pm. Free. Tickets distributed beginning at 1 pm. Donations of non-perishable food appreciated. El Centro Milagro, 525 SE Stark St. 503-236-7253. www.milagro.org.

Lights, Latkes and Live Music. Celebrate the third night of Hanukah with a concert, latkes, crafts and more. All ages. 3 to 5 pm. $10 person (discount for early registration). Kids under 1 are free. Pre-registration required. Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-244-0111. www.oregonjcc.org.

All Weekend
Biglittlethings. You’ll find masks, illusion, music, dance, acrobatics, special effects, hitchhiking rabbits, insomniac hippos, polar bears on the loose and more in this fast-paced show for ages 3 and up. 7 pm Dec. 11 and Dec. 12; 2 pm Dec. 13. (Show runs through Jan. 1.) $31 adults, $28 youth, $18 kids, plus service charges. Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th Ave. 503-231-9581. www.biglittlethings.com.

Holiday Express. A holiday ride in vintage rail cars with a visit from Santa. All ages. Up to 9 daily departures for this 45 minute ride. Check website for times. $14 adult; $8 ages 2 to 12; $39 family of 2 adults, 2 kids; plus service charges. Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, 7100 SE Oaks Park Dr. 503-522-5246. www.orhf.org.

The Nutcracker. Young dancers perform the holiday classic ballet at Portland Festival Ballet. Best for elementary and older. 7 pm Dec. 11. 2 and 7 pm Dec. 12. 1 and 4 pm Dec. 13. $24 adults, $22 children. PCC Sylvania Campus, 12000 SW 49th Ave. 503-245-5269. www.portlandfestivalballet.org.

The Nutcracker. Oregon Ballet Theatre presents the holiday classic featuring Balanchine’s choreography, Tchaikovsky’s score and lush costumes and sets. Lobby entertainment and Santa visit every performance. Ages 3 and up with good theater manners. 2 and 7:30 pm Dec. 12; 1 and 5:30 pm Dec. 13. (Show runs through Dec. 27.) $21.75 and up, plus service charges. Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay. 503-248-4335. www.obt.org.

Once again, be sure to check our online calendar for even more events throughout the weekend and the month!

December 11th, 2009 | Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend)