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, call 919-274-7344 or visit www.SupportMilitarySpouses.org . MENORAH OF CANS

Canned food donations to make a menorah during the town of Cary's Jewish Cultural Festival on Dec. 20 will be accepted through Dec. 19 at the Cary Arts Center. Donated goods should be standard canned good sizes. All donations will go to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. 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. ANGEL TREE ORNAMENTS

SearStone will be collecting household items for The Carying Place through Dec. 31 at 106 Walker Stone Drive, Cary. Neighbors, friends and future residents can pick an ornament from the Angel Tree listing needed household items. After purchasing the items, participants can return them to SearStone to be delivered to The Carying Place. For details, call 919-466-9366 or visit www.searstone.com. 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 neighborhoods. The kits will be $10. If interested in purchasing a kit, email candles@orangecrush.org.

Dance

CHRISTMAS DANCE RECITAL

Students from the Dance Academy at the Fuquay-Varina Parks and Recreation Department will perform at a Christmas Village recital from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center. Donations of nonperishable food items 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 . NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE

Holly Springs High School will hold its annual performance of the "Nutcracker," set to the Duke Ellington arrangement of the original score, at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at 5329 Cass Holt Road. Admission is free.

Music

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. HANDBELL CONCERT

The Woodhaven Ringers will hold a handbell concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at Woodhaven Baptist Church, 4000 Kildaire Farm Road, Apex. HOLIDAY CHORUS CONCERT

The Cary High School Concert Chorus will perform holiday songs at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 760 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary. For details, call 919-467-3866.

Special Events

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. MENORAH AND DREIDEL DISPLAY

The town of Cary is looking for unique and artistic menorahs and dreidels to display at the Cary Arts Center for the Jewish Cultural Festival on Dec. 20. Dropoff will begin Monday, Dec. 12, and the items will remain on display through the end of the year. Anyone interested in having their menorah or dreidel displayed should contact Sarah Hagan at 919-462-3862 or sarah.hagan@townofcary.org by Tuesday, Dec. 13, to reserve a space.

Shopping

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Girl Scout Troop 1761 will hold a Christmas craft fair fundraiser from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Apex Chamber of Commerce, 220 S. Salem St. For details, email centerhalf@nc.rr.com.

Open Houses and Tours

FUQUAY-VARINA 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. BROTHERS CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR

The Brothers Christmas Home Tour will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at 410 Glasgow Road, Cary. Tickets are $5. Proceeds will benefit Dorcas Ministries. Tickets can be purchased at the Dorcas Thrift Shop, 187 High House Road, Cary. Brothers estimates that they have over 150 nativity scenes, more than 400 versions of Santa, 14 full-size trees and many small trees.

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. Concessions will be available, including hot dogs, drinks and cookies. 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. CHRISTMAS CANTATA

Saint Francis United Methodist Church will perform its Christmas cantata at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary. For details, call 919-362-1666. BURIED TREASURE

Westwood Baptist Church will perform "Buried Treasure" at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at 200 Westhigh St., Cary. The play is about one family finding the true treasure of Christmas.