BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 12-20

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas out there, and there are holiday goings-on galore in the Basin. Here are a few things to make your spirits bright:

Dec. 12-20

Christmas Tree Sale and Toy Store

Pick up your Christmas tree and visit the Christmas rummage sale for clothing, toys, stuffed animals and decorations, including a dedicated area where children can purchase affordable new and gently used gifts for their families. 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at Generations Church, 431 E. Brown Ave., Moses Lake. Info: gcmoseslake.org.

Dec. 12-23
Vote for the best Christmas display on a home or business in the Basin, and support the Columbia Basin Herald’s Newspapers in Education program. Visit http://bit.ly/2025LightUpCB to vote at no charge.

Dec. 12

H.E. Gritman Senior Center Fundraising Breakfast

Enjoy a homemade breakfast of pancakes and sausage or biscuits and gravy and sausage. Cost is $7 and all ages are welcome. All proceeds go to support the activities at the Senior Center. 7-10 a.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.

‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’

The children of Mars are watching too much Earthling TV, so their elders kidnap Santa Claus in this 1964 campy classic film. Pre-film activities include a graham cracker house building station, cosmic iceball toss and more. Ugly sweaters encouraged. Free for the whole family. Presented by Columbia Basin Allied Arts. Activities begin at 6 p.m., movie begins at 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.cba-arts.org.

Celtic Christmas Celebration

Violinist Geoffrey Castle’s “Celtic Christmas” program will feature the Geoffrey Castle Celtic Band, Irish tenor Dan Connolly, singer Emily McIntosh, bagpiper Don Scobie and the Seattle Irish Dance Company. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-514-3849. 7 p.m. at the Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, on the Big Bend Community College campus. Info: www.ChristmasInWashington.com.

Dec. 12-13

Readers Theatre: ‘The Gift of the Magi’

Wahluke High School Drama presents the classic Christmas story by O. Henry. 6 p.m. at the Wahluke High School Library, 505 North Boundary Road, Mattawa. Info: 509-932-4477.

Dec. 13

Cocoa with Santa

Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa with St. Nick and the Moses Lake Firefighters. Children can tour the ladder truck and have photos taken with Santa. Donations of nonperishable food are accepted for the Moses Lake Food Bank. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Ashley’s Playground, corner of Fifth Avenue and Beech Street, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-2204.

Bells on Basin

Ephrata pulls out the stops for this community holiday celebration, starting with breakfast with Santa and finishing with a lighted Christmas parade. Activities for children and adults throughout the day. Sponsored by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. 509-717-0050.

Santa Paws Van-tastic Howliday

Luncheon and silent auction with food, drinks, door prizes and good company. Proceeds go toward Hands ‘N Paws shelter. 1-4 p.m. at Phoenix Family Farms, 2672 W Kuhn Rd, Othello. Info: handsnpawswa.org.

‘The Nutcracker’

The Ballet Academy presents the classic telling of a little girl’s Christmas dream. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/MLNutcracker25. 1 and 6 p.m. at Moses Lake High School Theater, 803 Sharon Ave. E. Info: www.balletacademyml.com.

Dec. 14

Gingerbread House Craft & Sip

Enjoy a fun holiday crafting experience with all supplies, including gingerbread, frosting, candy trim and instruction. It’s the perfect time of the season to make an edible holiday decoration. Wine pours and slushies are available for purchase. 1-4 p.m. at the Jones of Washington Tasting Room at Quincy Public Market, 1004 F St. SW. Info and reservations: 509-787-8108.

Marlin Handbell Choir

Experience the enchanting sound of 100 English handbells, bringing beloved holiday classics to life. The concert will conclude with a fun sing-along, inviting all to join in the festive cheer. Don’t miss this special holiday experience – perfect for family and friends to enjoy together. Admission is by donation. Cookie decorating at 1 p.m., concert begins at 3 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.

Ladies Christmas Tea

Theme is “A Weary World Rejoices.” Appetizers, tea, and good conversation. Guest speaker is Pastor Bridget Bern of Spokane Bethel Church of the Nazarene. All ladies welcome. RSVP by Dec. 3 to [email protected]. 4:30 p.m. at Moses Lake Nazarene Church, 422 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-765-4343.

Dec. 16

The Brewer and the Baker Cookie Class

Turn star cookies into charming holiday characters and simple designs – Santa, snowman, elf and more. All ingredients and materials are supplied. Learn easy decorating techniques in this hands-on class and leave with a box of adorable holiday cookies. Fun, beginner-friendly, and perfectly festive. Hosted by Moore Brewing Company and Butterflies and Bumblebees Bakery. Pre-registration is recommended as seating is limited to 15 people. 6 p.m. at Moore Brewing Company, 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake.

Dec. 17

Bingo

Cards cost 25 cents each for each game played and all money is put back into the game prizes. 2-3:30 p.m. at H.E. Gritman Senior Center, 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.

Create & Cackle

Do you like to make stuff? Do you have a unfinished project? Want to just hang out and finish a project? Just drop in, have a drink and a snack and create. Knitting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, perler beading, coloring, painting, origami or basket-weaving – the only limit is what you bring. Bring your own project and drinks/snacks and hang out with like-minded individuals. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.

An Evening of Caroling

Join Othello Christian Church and Pilgrim Lutheran Church to sing favorite Christmas songs together and enjoy some guest performances. Light refreshments will be served afterward. 6:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 511 S. Seventh Ave., Othello. Info: 509-488-2208.

Dec. 18

Movie Night: ‘Overboard’

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell star in a hit comedy of amnesia, revenge and romance. 2 p.m. at Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C Street NW. Info: 509-754-2382.

Singo

Singo is a new and exciting musical spin on the traditional game of Bingo. Instead of listening for a number, players are listening to their favorite music. Each player receives a free Singo card printed with the titles of popular songs. While Singo randomly plays song clips, players can sing along and mark matching song titles on their cards. The first player to mark five songs in a row and to shout “Singo” wins the round. Admission is free and prizes will be awarded. 6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.

Dec. 19

Doug Coutts

Enjoy new variations on jazz standards and more recent music from local saxophonist Doug Coutts. Wine, craft beer and hard cider available, as well as Cornfusion gourmet popcorn and local meats. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: 509-750-4193.

Dec. 20

Darnell Scott

Live music from the artist, sometimes called Eastern Washington’s best-kept secret. 4 p.m. at Millie’s Wine Bar, 114 First Ave. NW, Ephrata. Info: 509-449-3988.

This weekend at the movies:

Fairchild Cinemas: Ella McKay (PG-13); Eternity (PG-13); Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (PG-13); How the Grinch Stole Christmas 25th Anniversary (PG); Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution (R, English dubbed or Japanese with English subtitles); Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (PG-13); Predator Badlands (PG-13); Wicked: For Good (PG); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.

The Showhouse: Zootopia 2 (PG); Wicked: For Good (PG); Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (R); Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13); Young David (PG). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.

Ritz Theater: Bugonia (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.

    Eastern Washington musician Darnell Scott will perform Dec. 20 at Millie’s Wine Bar in Ephrata.
  

    The Marlin Handbell Ringers will bring holiday classics to the George Community Hall Sunday.