Federal Way holiday happenings: Live music, Santa pics

Holiday with Lights will transform Wild Waves Theme Park into a nighttime holiday wonderland. Centerstage Theatre presents its seventh annual excursion into the wild and wonderful world of traditional English Christmas pantomime. Pets can have their photo taken with Santa.

December 14, 2012 5:00 pm
Federal Way held its second annual Christmas tree lighting event Dec. 8 at The Commons Mall. Pictured above: The Harmony Kings were among local groups to sing holiday songs.
Federal Way held its second annual Christmas tree lighting event Dec. 8 at The Commons Mall. Pictured above: The Harmony Kings were among local groups to sing holiday songs.

Holidays at Wild Waves: Holiday with Lights will transform Wild Waves Theme Park into a nighttime holiday wonderland. Opening night begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 with a tree lighting ceremony. Guests can experience their favorite rides, holiday-themed entertainment, sounds of the season, Santa Claus and more from Dec. 14-31 (excluding Dec. 24-25). General admission is $14.99 plus tax; 2012 Season Pass members receive free admission. Discount tickets are available for $12.99 at WildWaves.com or at Safeway locations. Families with children ages 3 and under are free.

Holiday singers: Federal Way’s Jet Cities Chorus will be guest performers at the Illumni Men’s Chorale holiday shows. The free shows are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at All Pilgrims Church in Seattle and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Lagerquist Hall in Tacoma. To learn more, visit www.christmasshouldbefree.org.

Cinderella: Centerstage Theatre presents its seventh annual excursion into the wild and wonderful world of traditional English Christmas pantomime. “Cinderella” is chock full of great songs, outrageously bad jokes, horrible ugly sisters, and ancient routines that have been entertaining audiences for more than 300 years. Designed for the whole family. Show runs through Dec. 23 at the Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd. Visit centerstagetheatre.com or call (253) 661-1444.

Sister’s Christmas Catechism: Centerstage Theatre presents “Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold.” It’s “CSI: Bethlehem” in this holiday mystery extravaganza from the author of “Late Nite Catechism.” You don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy this hilarious holiday classic. The show runs through Dec. 22 at the Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road. Learn more at centerstagetheatre.com or call (253) 661-1444.

Santa at the mall: Through Dec. 24, get your photo taken with Santa Claus at The Commons Mall. Santa is located near Macy’s. Learn more at www.tcafw.com.

Pet photos with Santa: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 21, pets can have their photo taken with Santa at Petco, 31410 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way. Cost is $8.95. Proceeds benefit Park Pals. Learn more at www.parkpals.org or email info@parkpals.org.

Free breakfast with Santa: This event is a community outreach for Family Life Christian Center, featuring a free pancake and sausage breakfast at the church. Event runs 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 15 at 33901 9th Ave. S. Santa will take pictures and hand out free stockings stocked by the members of the church. These stockings will include hygiene items, toys and candy. Contact diane@fll-cc.com or (253) 838-3275.

Jazz LIVE at Marine View: Northwest guitarist Michael Powers will perform a free all-ages Christmas jazz concert at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at Marine View Church, 8469 Eastside Drive NE, Tacoma. Info: (253) 229-9206 or www.marineviewpc.org.

Christmas gift wrapping: Volunteers will be available 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 21-23 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24 at Kitchen Collection at The Commons Mall. Donations will be accepted to help homeless pets through the Cascade Animal Protection Society. Contact bo_bedwards@yahoo.com.

South King Fire food/toy drive: The fire district’s annual community food and toy drive is under way. Citizens may drop off donations of canned food and dry goods, new unwrapped toys (no stuffed animals) or money at any South King Fire station through Dec. 21. In 2011, the effort provided a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and a week’s supply of food to 130 families and presents for 450 children. Email Gordon.Olson@southkingfire.org or visit www.southkingfire.org.

Winter farmers market: The Federal Way Farmers Market is opening up a winter market inside The Commons Mall next to Starbucks. The market will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the holidays. Market will feature produce and flowers from local farmers, along with food and handcrafted gifts, live music and a kids fun zone. Business sponsorships available. To get a booth, call (253) 261-8157.

Shoe donations: Shoes-n-Feet at 31653 Pacific Highway S. in Federal Way is holding an annual holiday shoe drive to benefit the Multi-Service Center. People who drop off gently worn pairs of shoes will receive a $10 gift coupon. Contact (253) 475-5288.

Happy Howlidays: This animal welfare program designed to gather things like food, blankets, toys, beds and other assorted items, all of which will be given to shelters, rescues and programs assisting low income pet owners, just after the new year. Donate at Simply Paws Federal Way, 35419 21st Ave. SW. Contact Angela@DuganFoundation.org or (253) 471-5902.

NW Harvest Food Drive: Federal Way Heated Self-Storage, 35205 Pacific Hwy. S., is accepting donations of non-perishable food items for NW Harvest through Christmas Eve. Contact (253) 941-1111.