MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS

The town of Holly Springs will hold Main Street Christmas from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in downtown Holly Springs. There will be visits with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus, hayrides, live entertainment and the lighting of the town tree.

Charity

SHOEBOXES FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

Shoeboxes for Military Spouses is collecting shoeboxes through Dec. 17 at Chick-fil-A at Cary Towne Center, 1105 Walnut St. Bring a filled shoebox and receive a free Chick-fil-A sandwich. For details and a list of other collection sites, call 919-274-7344 or visit www.SupportMilitarySpouses.org . COATS FOR THE CHILDREN

WRAL-TV will be collecting winter clothing, toys and money for Salvation Army families in need through Dec. 31 at participating Jiffy Lube and First Citizens Bank locations in Apex, Cary and Fuquay-Varina. Donate clean coats and other winter clothing items including gloves, hats, and new long underwear, T-shirts and socks to outfit a child for the winter. Any size coat will be accepted, however, larger sizes for teens and infant sizes are in particular demand. CHRISTMAS STORE

New Horizons Fellowship will hold a Christmas store Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10, for needy families at 820 East Williams Street, Apex. To donate to the store, pick up a tree tag from the tree in the lobby at New Horizons Fellowship, purchase a gift and bring it back to the toy corral. The deadline to donate is today, Dec. 4. Volunteers are also needed to work during store hours. For information, call 919-303-5266 or visit www.nhf.cc/christmas-store . SANTA'S SENIOR HELPERS

Carolina Preserve Cares, a charitable organization in the Carolina Preserve adult community has sponsored a holiday gift program for 132 children this season. With funds donated by the community, volunteers buy gifts for each child. The items will be picked up at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9. BOY SCOUT CHRISTMAS LUMINARIA

Boy Scout Troop 320, sponsored by the Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church, will be selling holiday luminary kits door-to-door on Saturday, Dec. 10 and 17 in Fuquay-Varina. The kits will be $10. If interested in buying a kit, email candles@orangecrush.org. HEART OF CARY COLLECTS TOYS

The Heart of Cary Association will collect toys until Dec. 13. You may purchase a toy and drop it off, unwrapped, to one of the Heart of Cary Association's member businesses. Volunteers will deliver the toys to The Carying Place and Dorcas Ministries.

Dance

NUTCRACKER DANCES

The Infinity Ballet Theatre will hold performances of "Excerpts from the Nutcracker" at 3 p.m. today, Dec. 4, at the Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., Apex. Tickets are $5. For tickets, visit www.etix.com. CHRISTMAS DANCE RECITAL

Students from the Dance Academy at the Fuquay-Varina Parks and Recreation Department will perform at a Christmas Village dance recital from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center. Donations of nonperishable food will be accepted. THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The Carolina Dance Foundation will hold performances of "The Night Before Christmas" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at Green Hope High School in Cary. For information, visit www.carolinadancefoundation.org .

Music

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

The childrens choirs at Saint Francis United Methodist Church present the musical, "The Christmas County Spelling Bee" at 11 a.m. today, 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. today, Dec. 4, at Westwood Baptist Church, 200 Westhigh St., Cary. CHRISTMAS CONCERT

A Christmas concert featuring Transit Band and Gerald Parker Jazz Band will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center. HOLIDAY CONCERT

The General Assembly Chorus will hold a holiday concert, "Songs of the Season" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. Tickets are $20 for reserved seating, $15 for general admission, $10 for students ages 17 and younger or $15 for reserved seating for groups of 10 or more. For information, call 919-469-4069 or visit www.generalassemblychorus.org . WINTER MUSIC CONCERT

The Cary Town Band will hold its third annual Winter Music concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in the ballroom at the Cary Senior Center in Bond Park.

Theater

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

The Cary Players present "It's a Wonderful Life" at 3 p.m. today, Dec. 4, and at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 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

WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter Wonderland at Bond Park will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. today, 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 non-residents. For information, call 919-469-4100. POLAR EXPRESS STORYTIME

A special Polar Express Storytime with drama students from the Raleigh Charter High School will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 760 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary. For information, call 919-467-3866. SANTA SATURDAY

Families are invited to join Santa Claus as he reads stories and listens to children's wishes from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Fuquay-Varina Community Library, 133 S. Fuquay Ave. For details, call 919-557-2788.

Open Houses and Tours

APEX HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

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

The Fuquay-Varina Women's Club will hold a holiday home tour from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. at the clubhouse, 602 N. Ennis St., Fuquay-Varina. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. For information, contact Vicki Currin at 919-612-9547.

Religious Events

CHRISTMAS EVENT

Salem Baptist Church will hold Journey to Bethlehem from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Dec. 8-9, and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11, at 1821 North Salem St., Apex. For details, call 919-362-7327 or visit www.salem-bc.org. NATIVITY CELEBRATION

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold an Apex Christmas Nativity Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Dec. 8-9, and from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at 590 Bryan Drive. There will nativity scenes from around the world and live music. Nonperishable donations for the Western Wake Crisis Ministry will be accepted at the door. For details, visit www.apexnativity.org. CHRISTMAS PARTY

Westwood Baptist Church will hold its annual Christmas party at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at 200 Westhigh St., Cary. Bring a covered dish.