SHOEBOXES FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

Shoeboxes for Military Spouses is collecting shoeboxes through Saturday, 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 . CAROLING FOR A CAUSE

The Cary Park neighborhood will hold Caroling for a Cause from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 18. Older kids will lead younger kids around the neighborhood and help them sing to carols for donations to cancer research. Proceeds will benefit the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center. 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.

Dance

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The Carolina Dance Foundation will hold a performance of "The Night Before Christmas" at 3:30 p.m. today, Dec. 11, at Green Hope High School in Cary. For information, visit www.carolinadancefoundation.org . A VERY CARY CHRISTMAS

The Cary Ballet Company and the 3D Project presents A Very Cary Christmas at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. A Land of Sweets' meet and greet for children will be after the 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $12-$15. For details, call 919-481-6509 or visit www.caryballetconservatory.com . 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. Friday, Dec. 16, and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 5329 Cass Holt Road. Admission is free. A silent auction will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Music

HANDBELL CONCERT

The Woodhaven Ringers will hold a handbell concert at 7 p.m. today, 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. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 760 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary. For details, call 919-467-3866. HOLIDAY CONCERT

Holly Springs High School will hold a holiday choral concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 5329 Cass Holt Road, Holly Springs. HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Panther Creek High School will hold a holiday band concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 and a holiday choral concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at 6770 McCrimmon Parkway, Cary. Admission is $5. HOLIDAY BAND CONCERTS

Green Hope High School will hold a jazz and percussion ensembles winter concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at 2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road, Cary. A winter concert with the Davis Drive Middle School eighth-grade band will be at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.greenhopefinearts.org. JAZZ CONCERT

The Route 55 Jazz Orchestra will perform its "Santa Baby's Coming To Town" concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 Ballentine St. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. For information, call 919-567-4000 or visit www.55jazz.com.

Theater

BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

The town of Fuquay-Varina will hold "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at STARS Theater, 123 E. Vance St. Tickets are $5. Proceeds will benefit the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Bank and the Community Theater Fund. For tickets, visit www.starstheaterandart.com .

Special Events

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. HOMEMADE HOLIDAY GIFTS

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to make holiday gifts for friends and family from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Eva Perry Regional Library, 2100 Shepherd's Vineyard Drive, Apex. For information, call 919-387-2100.

Shopping

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

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

Open Houses and Tours

BROTHERS HOME TOUR

The Brothers Christmas Home Tour will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today, 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 CANTATA

Saint Francis United Methodist Church will perform its Christmas cantata at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services on today, 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. today, Dec. 11, at 200 Westhigh St., Cary. The play is about one family finding the true treasure of Christmas.