By Oregon Coast TODAY
Weaving holiday lights and displays through the already stunning displays at Oregon Coast Aquarium makes the Sea of Lights one of the coast’s most unique holiday light displays.
The Sea of Lights will be lit from 5 to 8 p.m. on the next three Friday and Saturdays, beginning Friday, Dec. 6.
Entry is included with regular paid admission, and free for aquarium members.
On the first weekend, tickets will be just $5 for those who bring a non-perishable food donation, including pet food, to benefit the Food Share of Lincoln County.
Santa will be present to pose for photos and listen to wishes the second and third weekend, Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21. Guests can enjoy live music from the Oregon Coast Recorder Society on Saturday, Dec. 14, and from the Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble on Friday, Dec. 20.
Lincoln City dock lighting
Don your winter coats and head to the dock in Lincoln City’s Taft district for the annual Deck the Dock lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6.
Guests can watch Santa, Mrs. Claus and their merry band of elves light up Taft Dock, escorted by the Lincoln City Police Department and North Lincoln Fire & Rescue.
The dock will be illuminated every night into the new year, as will the historic Taft Arch and Regatta Park.
The lighting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. at the Taft Dock at Southwest 51st Street in Lincoln City.
Charitable giving fair
Looking for a way to connect with your community, do good works and feel great? The Lincoln City Giving Fair is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Lincoln City Cultural Center.
“If you plan to donate to a local charity before the end of the year, we salute you — because you are what makes this community so wonderful,” said cultural center director Niki Price. “Our Giving Fair will make it even easier to find the joy in service and support.”
Shop for things like candy, holiday gifts and hand-crafted cookbooks. Deliver your donations of new toys and food and donate cash, check, card or pledges before the end of the tax year.
Organizations including Kiwanis Club, Central Coast Humane Society and Seven Capes Bird Alliance will have information, signup sheets and donation receipts, offering guests the chance to get involved in a variety of ways.
Community art exhibit
The PushPin Show, Oregon Coast Council for the Arts’ annual community art exhibition, returns to the Newport Visual Arts Center on Sunday, Dec. 8.
An opening reception from 2-4 p.m. Sunday will feature light refreshments and a performance from local women’s chorus The Sweet Adelines. Guests will be able to cast their vote for the show’s sought-after People’s Choice Award. Voting will continue throughout the exhibition. Last year’s winner of this honor was Rose James, for her piece entitled “Fall Color Redux.”
This is the 34th anniversary of the community-based show, which has been expanded to include not only work hung on gallery walls but also small three-dimensional pieces on pedestals.
Lots of singing
Get all of the caroling without all of the walking at “Holly Jolly: A Free Festive Family Affair” at Newport Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Enjoy artmaking activities for kids, mingling with friends and neighbors, sweet treats and singing along to holiday favorites. Kids artmaking begins at 2 p.m., with the community sing-along kicking off at 3 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Center.
Music selections will be familiar holiday favorites made famous through film, television, radio and social media, with simple melodies that even young children can learn and sing along with. Lyrics will be displayed on a large movie screen in the Alice Silverman Theatre, with a few songs in both English and Spanish, and there might even be some surprises along the way.
