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. Support Military Spouses .org . CAROLING FOR A CAUSE

The Cary Park neighborhood will hold Caroling for a Cause from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 18. Older kids will lead younger kids around the neighborhood and help them sing carols for donations to cancer research. Proceeds will benefit the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center. 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. 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. 17, in Fuquay-Varina neighborhoods. The kits will be $10. Proceeds will fund activities for the Boy Scout troop. If interested in purchasing a kit, email candles@orangecrush.org. GIFT-WRAPPING FUNDRAISER

Second Chance Pet Adoptions will have a gift-wrapping service from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, through Dec. 24 at Cary Crossroads. All proceeds will go to support the animal rescue group's programs. For details, visit www. second chance nc .org .

Dance

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. Two shows, "Visions of Sugarplums" and "Straight Up Christmas" will be performed. 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. cary ballet conservatory .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

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. For information, visit www. green hope fine arts .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. Featuring old favorites and new arrangements of Christmas classics in the big band style. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. For information, call 919-567-4000 or visit www. 55jazz. com .

Theater

THE 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. stars theater and art .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. 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. today, Dec. 14, at the Eva Perry Regional Library, 2100 Shepherd's Vineyard Drive, Apex. For information, call 919-387-2100. JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL

The town of Cary will hold a Jewish Cultural Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. There will be traditional Jewish foods, crafts and activities for children, entertainment, education displays, lighting of a nine-foot menorah and a concert by Dan Nichols. For details, call 919-469-4061 or visit www. town of cary .org .

Open Houses

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

The art studio, Chambers Arts, will hold a holiday open house from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at 200 S. Academy St., Suite 130, Cary. For details, call 919-481-1003 or visit www.chambersarts.com.

Religious Events

CANTATA

Westwood Baptist Church will hold its annual Christmas Cantata, performed by the church choir, at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at 200 Westhigh St., Cary. CANTATA

The choir at Woodhaven Baptist Church will celebrate with a cantata called "Shout the Good News" at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 18 at 4000 Kildaire Farm Road, Apex. For information, call 919-362-0127. CAROL SERVICE

Apex United Methodist Church will hold a service called "Holy Light: A Candlelight Service of Carols" at 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at 100 S. Hughes St. For information, call 919-362-7807 or visit www.apexumc.org.