TODAY >>> SUNDAY "Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up"

Elmo, Zoe, Rosita and Abby Cadabby, the newest muppet on Sesame Street, are joined by their furry and feathered friends in asking "What do you want to be when you grow up?" as they prepare for a pageant on Sesame Street. With singing, dancing and lessons about patience, acceptance and teamwork. $17, $21 or $25; $12, opening night. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today and Friday; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Salem Civic Center. 375-3004.

Parades and Festivals

Buena Vista Christmas Parade

7 tonight. Downtown Buena Vista. 261-7321.

Christmas in Chatham

Chatham First meeting, exhibit highlighting the town of competition and wine with light refreshments and a dulcimer concert (7 tonight). Lantern lighting ceremony, lighting of the Christmas trees, festival of the carols with Santa and Mrs. Santa and a Yule Log Celebration and recognition of Competition Alley (7 p.m. Friday) followed by Soundcheck and an open mic for teens (8:30 p.m. Friday). Christmas Parade (11 a.m. Saturday), carriage rides and photos with Santa and Mrs. Santa (12:30 p.m. Saturday) plus "Old Time Muisc" with Kinney Rorrer (1 p.m. Saturday), the Church Sisters in concert (2:45 p.m. Saturday) and "Chatham Schola Cantorum" (4 p.m. Saturday). chatham-va.gov.

Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas

Franklin County's fifth annual Christmas celebration featuring extended hours and activies in retail shops and businesses, free carriage rides, a brass ensemble trio, lighting of the downtown Christmas tree, performances by the Ferrum College Collegiates, Frencesca's Dance Studio, Downtown Music students, the Wright Kids and others plus story reading, drama skits, antique cars, Build a bear a visit with Santa and food vendors. Free. 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday. Downtown Rocky Mount. 489-3825, historicrockymount.com.

Dickens of a Christmas

Fun for the whole family with horse drawn carriage rides, carolers in the streets, street performances, re-enactors dressed in costume, music and dance, vendors, a special kids' zone area and more. St. Nicholas will be strolling the district giving candy to children and telling Christmas stories. This week featuring the City of Roanoke Annual Christmas Tree lighting. Free. 342-2028, downtownroanoke.org.

Friday Night Lights

A downtown monthly festival. This month's theme is "All I Want for Christmas..." Free. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Downtown Lexington. 463-6973, lisa@lexrockchamber.com.

Gingerbread Festival

With arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, live entertainment, children's activities, silent auction and voting for the gingerbread houses on display in the carriage house. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Longwood Park, Salem. 387-0267, s-rcchamber.org.

Holiday Happenings at Bridgewater Plaza

Santa (2 to 5 p.m.), a tree lighting, caroling (7 p.m.) and boat parade (8 p.m.). Christmas Pet Parade (4 p.m. Sunday only). Saturday and Sunday. Bridgewater Plaza, 16430 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Moneta. 721-5959.

Lexington Christmas Parade

Featuring the Wells Fargo stagecoach, Grand Marshal Dean Knick, floats, marching bands, children, animals, the Grinch, Santa and more. Post-parade photo opportunities with Santa in Hopkins Green. 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Lexington. 463-5375, lexrockchamber.com.

Pearisburg Christmas Parade

The parade lines up along Mountain Lake Avenue and finishes with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. 4 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Pearisburg. 921-2955.

Radford Christmas Parade

This year's theme: "The Sights and Sounds of the Holiday Season." 4 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Radforod. 230-5570.

Vinton Christmas Parade

With marching units, decorated floats novelty units including the Racing Dynamiks. Pre-parade entertainment (6 p.m., Vinton Municipal Building) and spaghetti supper (4 to 7 p.m., VFW Building on Lee Avenue) and after-parade open house (8 p.m., Vinton War Memorial) with Santa, music, puppet show, refreshments and children's activity. Free. 7 tonight. 343-1364, vintonchamber.com.

Winter Lights Festival and Holiday Parade

Treats on the street, 107.1 Radio live remote featuring holiday music karaoke, games, contests and prizes, children's craft activities, the Pan-Lites, ornament-making, Performing Arts Institute of Virginia Children's Choir and Sing-Along, photos with Santa, open houses and more. Parade begins at 7 p.m. Friday. Downtown Blacksburg. 951-0454, downtownblacksburg.com.

Ye Olde Salem Christmas

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

Santa Sightings + Kid Stuff

Breakfast with Santa

A breakfast buffet with pictures with Santa, holiday music, children's entertainment, crafts, silent auction and raffle. $30; $19, ages 2 to 12 includes picture with Santa. 8 and 11 a.m. Saturday. Hotel Roanoke. 857-6993, chiprv.org.

Breakfast with Santa

All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast with Santa and the Grinch. $5; proceeds benefit the William Byrd Players and the William Byrd High School Chorus to help send both programs to the National Performing Arts Festival at Walt Disney World in February. 8 and 11 a.m. Saturday. William Byrd High School Cafeteria, 2902 Washington Ave., Vinton. cwebster@rcs.k12.va.us.

Breakfast with Santa

The Christiansburg High School music department presents breakfast with Santa and his elves. With breakfast, photos with Santa, face painting, ornament making and playing with Santa's Elves. $6; $3, ages 12 and under; $5, photos; $1, games and activities. 8 a.m. Saturday. Christiansburg High School, 100 Independence Blvd., Christiansburg. 381-0327.

Fantasyland

A winter wonderland complete with Santa's elves, reindeer and, of course, Santa. $5; $3, ages 3 to 17. Tuesdays through Sundays through Dec. 23. History Museum of Western Virginia, Center in the Square, One Market Square S.E., Roanoke. 342-5770, history-museum.org.

Gingerbread Tea Party

A tea party with a cute story and crafts to add to holiday excitement. Ages 4 and up. Reservations required. 4 p.m. Saturday. Petticoats and Petit Fours Tea Room, 311 W. Main St., Salem. 389-2832, petticoatsandpetitfourstearoom.com.

The Knack Family Fun Event

A children's gift-making and wrapping workshop. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. All Michaels locations. 265-8604 (Roanoke), 381-0468 (Christiansburg).

Santa Arrives by Rail

In addition to Santa's arrival (10:30 a.m.), this year's event features carolers, Christmas crafts and games, coffee and cider, cookie decorating, antique trains and puppet shows by the Roanoke County Library. Reservations required for story time with Santa. $5; $4 with non-perishable canned food item for the Second Harvest Food Bank. 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. O. Winston Link Museum, 101 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke. 982-5465, linkmuseum.org.

Religious Events

Night of Miracles Living Nativity

Experience the journey to Bethlehem and the miracle of Christmas with an interactive living nativity complete with a village of people and animals. Free. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Buena Vista Food Lion, 2150 E. Midland Trail. 261-6596.

29th Annual Hanging of the Greens

An Advent service of music, readings and decorating which explains and celebrates the purpose of Christmas decorations. Free. 7 p.m. Saturday. Belmont Christian Church, 1101 Jamison Ave. S.E., Roanoke. 343-7502.

White Gift Service

A ceremony of lessons and carols featuring the Hollins Concert Choir and the student chamber orchestra in Vivaldi's "Gloria" and traditional music of the season. Free. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Hollins University duPont Chapel. 362-6511.

Moravian Love Feast

A service of lessons and carols featuring the Brass 5, Memorial Handbells and Sanctuary and Youth Choirs. 3 p.m. Sunday. Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3911 Greenland Ave., Roanoke. 366-8155.

FRIDAY + SATURDAY Virginia Professional Bull Riders Challenge

8 p.m. Virginia Horse Center, Lexington. 464-2953.

SATURDAY VHSL Football

Virginia High School League Group A championship games. Noon and 4:15 p.m. Salem Football Stadium. 375-3004, salemciviccenter.com.

SUNDAY Blessed Blades Public Skate

Public ice skating to spiritual music by SpiritFM. $5, admission; $2, skate rental. 2 to 5 p.m. Roanoke Civic Center. 853-5483, roanokeciviccenter.com.

TUESDAY Best of the Grandin Theatre Open Projection Night

See the 12 best short films of 2008 as voted by the public and celebrate a year of amateur filmmaking. $5.50. 7 to 9 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art Theatre, downtown Roanoke. taubmanmuseum.org.

WEDNESDAY >>> DEC. 20 "Reckless"

Following their summer debut with "Pinter," theater newcomer Gamut presents the mad-cap, dark comedy by Craig Lucas. $12. 7:30 p.m. Jefferson Center. 345-2550, jeffcenter.org.

SATURDAY Bill Gaither and the Homecoming Friends Lovin' Life Tour 2008

With inspirational music and message, gospel songs and more. $23 to $43. 6 p.m. 853-5483, roanokeciviccenter.com. (See page 10 for parking details.)

Hidden Valley Band Concert

Dec. 11. Jefferson Center. 345-2550, jeffcenter.org.

Dickens of a Christmas

Dec. 12. With the Christmas Parade. 6 p.m. Downtown Roanoke.

Chuck Brown

Dec. 12. Jefferson Center. 345-2550, jeffcenter.org.

Free Friday Afternoons

Dec. 12. At the History (history-museum.org) and Science (smwv.org) museums of Western Virginia.

Holiday Pops Concert

Dec. 12. Salem Civic Center. 375-3004, salem civiccenter.com.

Jinglebell Run

Dec. 13. For arthritis. 9 a.m. Downtown Roanoke. jinglebellrunroanoke.kintera.org.

"The Nutcracker"

Dec. 13 and 14. Southwest Virginia Ballet. Roanoke Civic Center. 853-5483, roanoke civiccenter.com.

"Christmas Joy"

Dec. 14. Roanoke College Children's Choir. Jefferson Center. 345-2550, jeffcenter.org.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Dec. 15 and 16. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Roanoke Civic Center. 366-6111, roanoke civiccenter.com.

"Madeline's Christmas"

Dec. 15 to 23. Roanoke Children's Theatre. Taubman Museum of Art. roanokechildrenstheatre.org.

TONIGHT Richie Havens

A concert by one of the most recognizable voices in popular music with soulful and ageless singing style. $32, advance; $35 at the door. 7:30 p.m. 745-7880.

SATURDAY Down Home and Outback First Saturday Concert Series

Featuring David Doucet, Scott Fore, the Snyder Family Band and others in an intimate "house concert" style of performance in which the audience will be able to interact with performers. $20. 7 to 9 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art. taubmanmuseum.org.

SATURDAY Lenny Marcus CD Release Concert

Lenny Marcus with Tom Artwick, Dylan Locke, Larry Scott, Cyrus Pace, Roboert McCullough and Kerry Hurley. Lenny will perform two sets of music featuring music from the new CD, "Water Drops," a contemporary record with lots of jazz and horn lines. $15 includes CD. 8 p.m. Jefferson Center. 345-2550, jeffecenter.org.

FOR MORE OF THIS WEEK'S HOLIDAY EVENTS, SEE PAGE 9.