TODAY

"Scrooge" The Musical

Based on the Charles Dickens Christmas classic. Free; first-come, first-served seating policy. Donations accepted to benefit the Blue Ridge Women's Center. 7:30 p.m. today and Friday; noon and 4 p.m. Saturday. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre. 366-6111, www.roanokeciviccenter.com. (See page 10 for parking details.)

FRIDAY

Dickens of a Christmas

Fun for the whole family with horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers in the streets, street performances, re-enactors, music and dance, vendors, a special kid's zone area and more. St. Nicholas will be strolling the district giving candy to children and telling Christmas stories. This week's festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a performance by the Southwest Virginia Ballet and features Roanoke's annual Christmas tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. at Wachovia Plaza. The following celebrations begin at 6 p.m.: Dec. 12 features Roanoke's Christmas parade (6:30 p.m., Jefferson Street and Campbell Avenue) and catch the pet costume contest (6:30 p.m., Wachovia Plaza) and outdoor screening of "A Christmas Story" (7:30 p.m., Campbell Avenue) Dec. 19. 342-2028, www.downtownroanoke.org.

SATURDAY

Ye Olde Salem Christmas

Photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus (at the library), hot cider, roasted chestnuts, carriage and Model T car rides to the Gingerbread Festival at Longwood Park and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Salem Farmers Market. 375-3057.

SUNDAY

David Austin and Friends Christmas Concert

The 12-member band performing a variety of acoustic Christmas music with an emphasis on Christmas hymns and featuring youth performances. The concert is free, but a love offering will be received. 3 p.m. Sunday at Eagle Rock Baptist Church, Second Street, Eagle Rock. Encore performance at 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Buchanan. 254-2696, 884-3406.

MONDAY

Greening the Holidays

Learn how to make the holiday season more environmentally and economically friendly. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Blacksburg Public Library, 200 Miller St., Blacksburg. 961-1806.

TUESDAY

Holiday Jazz on the Mezzanine

Lenny Marcus Trio performing the works of Vince Guaraldi ("A Charlie Brown Christmas") and other jazz classics and originals with refreshments and dancing. 6 to 8 p.m. Roanoke Main Library. 853-1057.

WEDNESDAY

Christmas card making

Stay in today and gather all the art supplies in the house -- construction paper, magic markers, glitter, funky scissors, the works -- and any family members, friends or neighborhood kids that are interested in craft time. Design, construct and decorate personalized seasons greetings for a fraction of the cost of store-bought cards.

DEC. 11

Jay R Powell

Christmas concert performed by the accomplished pianist and vocalist. He will debut his Christmas CD, "All is Calm." 7 p.m. Vinton War Memorial, 814 Washington Ave., Vinton. 589-6289, www.jayrpowell.com.

DEC. 12

Earth Friendly Friday: The Green Holiday Potluck Party

The third annual earth-friendly holiday celebration. Bring a dish to share and a beverage for music, a nature photo slide show and mingling. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Road, Roanoke. 384-7448, www.virginia.sierraclub.org/roanoke.

DEC. 13

Senior Calling Day

Seniors can call anywhere in the world at no cost. Volunteers available to assist. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Merrill Lynch, 114 Market Square, Roanoke. 345-0451.

DEC. 14

"Folk Songs From Around the World"

A performance by the Local Colors Choir featuring traditional holiday songs from around the world. 1 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art, downtown Roanoke. 473-3656.

DEC. 15

Blacksburg Community Strings Holiday Concert

Traditional string music and holiday-themed music featuring a narrated version of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." 7:30 p.m. Squires Recital Salon, Virginia Tech. civic.bev.net/communitystrings.

DEC. 16

Patrick Evans-Holton and Lonette Smith Book Signing

The authors of "Popcorn" (Evans-Holton) and the "Mason Jar Cookbooks" (Smith) present a program on inexpensive Christmas presents. 2 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Library, 28 Avery Row, Roanoke. 977-3433. 6 p.m. at the Roanoke Main Library, 706 S. Jefferson St., downtown Roanoke. 853-1057.

DEC. 17

Family film festival

Gather all the holiday movies within arm's reach, rent the favorites or find some Christmas specials on TV. Once you've decided on one (or two, or three), settle down on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn for a warm night of elves and snow.

DEC. 18

William Byrd High School Winter Concert

The concert, jazz and symphonic bands perform. Canned food donations accepted for area food pantries. 7 p.m. 2902 Washington Ave., Vinton. www.williambyrdband.com.

DEC. 19

Christmas with the Roanoke Chamber Brass

A performance by the quintet-in-residence at Hollins University featuring an evening of seasonal favorites. 7 p.m. Grandin Court Baptist Church, 2660 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke. www.roanokechamberbrass.com.

DEC. 20

Santa at the library

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be reading, providing refreshments and having photos taken with visitors at the Roanoke Main Library from 10 a.m. to noon and at the Williamson Road Library from 5 to 7 p.m. Don't miss them at the Melrose Library from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 and at the Raleigh Court Library from 10 a.m. to noon. Dec. 19. 853-2955.

DEC. 21

Live Nativity

Scenes from the biblical Christmas story with authentic costumes, live animals and visual effects. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21 plus Dec. 19 to 20. Penn Forest Christian Church, 3028 Penn Forest Blvd., Roanoke. 774-2445. Other live nativities include the Night of Living Miracles (6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7, Buena Vista Food Lion, 261-6596) and a drive-through scene at Rockingham Court United Methodist Church in Roanoke (6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14, 427-0112).

DEC. 22

Learn about a holiday you don't celebrate. Go to the library, surf the Web or ask a friend about Christmas (Dec. 25), Hanukkah (Dec. 21 to 29) or Kwanzaa (Dec. 26). Find out about traditions, songs and, if you're feeling adventurous, attempt a meal.

DEC. 23

Wrapping session

Put on your favorite holiday music -- rap or otherwise -- and wrap all those gifts you've been collecting. Teach the little ones how to fold the corners in and use yarn or ribbon to decorate even the tiniest of presents.

DEC. 24

Christmas lights

Drive around the neighborhood and see all the sparkling Christmas displays. For some of the best, look for the Holiday Lights Guide in Extra on Dec. 14 and at www.roanoke.com/entertainment throughout the holidays. Looking for something more professional? Check out "Camp Bethel in Lights" with more than 100,000 lights on display in a drive-through exhibit (6 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 1. Camp Bethel, Wise. (276) 328-6876. Or check out the Elks National Home Holiday Light Display (5:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 12-31). Bedford. 586-8232. To submit photos of your home (or to add your address to our holiday lights guide) visit www.roanoke.com/entertainment.

DEC. 25

Memory making

This holiday season has, no doubt, provided some memories to last a lifetime. Get the whole family together to write down and/or illustrate their favorite holiday memories and combine them for a 2008 Holiday Memory Book. Then look back each year and smile at the memories.