CHRISTMAS ON SALEM STREET

The Apex Downtown Business Association will hold Christmas on Salem Street from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in downtown Apex. There will be carriage and sleigh rides, Christmas carols and the lighting of the tree at 5:30 p.m. MORRISVILLE TREE-LIGHTING

Morrisville will hold its annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Town Hall. There will be entertainment, crafts for children and refreshments. CARY TREE-LIGHTING

Cary will hold its tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Town Hall Campus by the town tree. There will be actors, singers, dancers and musicians. The Cary Community Christmas tree will also be unveiled. For details, call 469-4061.

Charity

GINGERBREAD HOUSE BENEFIT

The Umstead Hotel will hold a Gingerbread House benefit for Triangle Family Services from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at 101 Woodland Park Drive, Cary. For details, call 919-821-0790 Ext. 303 or visit www.tfsnc.org. CHRISTMAS STORE

New Horizons Fellowship will hold a Christmas store Dec. 9 and 10 for needy families at 820 E. Williams St., Apex. To donate to the store, pick up a tree tag from the lobby at New Horizons Fellowship, purchase a gift and bring it back to the toy corral. The deadline to donate to the store is Sunday, Dec. 4. For information, call 919-303-5266 or visit www.nhf.cc/christmas-store.

Dance

NUTCRACKER DANCES

The Infinity Ballet Theatre will hold performances of "Excerpts from the Nutcracker" at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. Tickets are $5 at www.etix.com. Music

DECK THE HALLS CONCERT

The Triangle Wind Ensemble will hold a family-friendly concert titled "Deck the Halls" at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. Admission is $12 for adults and free for children younger than 12 with donation of a toy or nonperishable item. For information, visit www.trianglewind.org. CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

The children's choirs at Saint Francis United Methodist Church present the musical, "The Christmas County Spelling Bee" at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary. For details, call 919-362-1666. MESSIAH PERFORMANCE

The Cary Community Choir will hold its 41st annual Messiah performance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at Westwood Baptist Church, 200 Westhigh St., Cary.

Theater

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

The Cary Players present "It's a Wonderful Life" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, Friday, Dec. 2, and Monday, Dec. 5; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors ages 55 and older, and $16 for students. Veterans and active servicemen and women may attend the 7:30 p.m. performance on Monday, Dec. 5, for $9. For information, visit www.caryplayers.org.

Special Events

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Apex Rotary Club will hold its winter pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Apex fire station on Salem Street. WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter Wonderland at Bond Park will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4, in the multipurpose field at Fred G. Bond Metro Park. Snow My Yard will make snow. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $12 for residents, $16 for nonresidents. For information, call 919-469-4100. HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

The Cary Teen Council will hold its annual holiday celebration, Santa's Workshop, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Bring two nonperishable food items or a cash donation to support the Cary Teen Council's food drive. For details, call 919-460-4965. OLE TIME WINTER FESTIVAL

The Heart of Cary Association will hold an Ole Time Winter Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in downtown Cary. For information, call 919-469-4061.

Shopping

HOLIDAY SHOPPE

Cary Academy will hold its annual Holiday Shoppe from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Proceeds will benefit community outreach and need-based scholarships. For details, call 919-228-4653 or visit www.caryacademy.org/holidayshoppe . CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and School will hold Santa's Village Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at 625 Magdala Place, Apex. EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church will hold its fourth annual St. Nicholas European Christmas Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2510 Piney Plains Road, Cary. There will be cookies, stollens, linens, ornaments and gifts. To order food, email etss3@aol.com. For details, visit www.saintscyrilandmethodius.org .

Open Houses and Tours

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

The Page-Walker Arts and History Center will hold a holiday open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary. Tour the historic hotel, sing Christmas carols and have a free horse-drawn carriage ride. APEX HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

The Apex Historical Society will hold its holiday home tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 on the day of tour, $5 for children ages 12 and younger. For details, visit www.apexhistoricalsociety.com .