Community events

Toys-for-Tots Toy Drive
Dec. 2-3, Drop off a new unwrapped toy to one of this year’s locations: Concours Elite, Deer Creek Broadcasting, Two Men & a Truck, Wittmeier Auto Center, Chico Marketplace, or Express Employment Professionals. Call (530) 966-7184 for info or visit v9eubnoh.paperform.co to make an online donation.

Santa at the Marketplace
Dec. 2-24, St. Nick will be in his chair waiting for your Christmas wishes and photo ops throughout the holidays. Special pet pic nights and Sensory Santa sessions available for children within every spectrum of special needs (registration required). Chico Marketplace, 1950 E. 20th St. shopchicomarketplace.com

Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza
Dec. 2-Jan. 9, Mon.-Thurs., 3-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., noon- 10 p.m. (hours fluctuate on holidays). Ice skating in downtown Chico. Lessons and private party events also offered. $12. Chico City Plaza, downtown Chico. downtownchico.com

Paradise Ice Rink
Dec. 2-Jan. 17, Mon.-Thurs., 2:30pm-8:30 p.m.; Fri., noon-8 p.m. (teen skate 9-11 p.m.); Sat., noon-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-8 p.m. (adult skate 10-11:30 a.m.). An outdoor ice rink for the holiday season. $12 day pass; $5 for teen skate nights. Terry Ashe Recreation Center, 6626 Skyway. (530) 872-6393. paradiseprpd.com/ice_rink

Community Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 3, 6 p.m. Festive music, an appearance by Santa and a countdown to light the 2,000-plus LED tree in the plaza. Chico City Plaza, downtown Chico.

Oroville Tree Lighting
Dec. 3, 4 p.m. Tree-lighting and small-business holiday event featuring caroling, carriage rides, and treats. Downtown Oroville.

Stansbury Home Victorian Christmas
Dec. 3-5, Fri., 6-9 p.m.; Sat., noon-6 p.m.; Sun., 1-4 p.m. Santa, entertainment, spiced cider, homemade cookies, holiday raffle and a Victorian decorations. Donations: $2-$6. Stansbury Home, 207 W. Fifth St. (530) 895-3848.

Butte County Toy Run
Dec. 4, 9:30 a.m-2:30 p.m. All motorcyclists welcome for annual toy drive/run. Call for info. Start location: 2357 Fair St., Chico. (530) 893-1918.

Bizarre Bazaar
Dec. 4-5, Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Chikoko design/artist collective hosts its annual alternative holiday craft faire, featuring the handmade clothing, jewelry and utilitarian art of local artists. This year at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair St.

Parade of Lights – Oroville
Dec. 11, 6 p.m. A hometown Christmas in historic downtown Oroville with floats, vehicles, horses, music and Santa riding a fire truck. Free. Downtown Oroville.

Santa Shuffle
Dec. 11, 8:30 a.m. Five kilometer, one mile fun run/walk, or virtual 5K, with proceeds benefiting Chico’s Salvation Army. Lower Bidwell Park. Register online at runsignup.com.

Elf Screening
Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. Family movie night featuring the classic holiday comedy starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf. Sponsored by Chico County Day School. Chico Marketplace (near Dick’s Sporting Goods), 1950 E. 20th St. shopchicomarketplace.com

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
Dec. 18, 4:30-9 p.m. A downtown pub crawl with drink and food specials and contests, games and prizes. $12-$20 and available at dothecrawl.com/Chico/Ugly-Sweater

Gingerbread House Decorating
Dec. 22, 3-5:30 p.m. Build your own gingerbread house for the holidays. Registration $15. Chico Marketplace, 1950 E. 20th St. shopchicomarketplace.com

Entertainment

The Winter Wonderettes
Dec. 2-19, Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. A family-friendly holiday musical featuring classics like “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Winter Wonderland” and more. Chico Theater Company, 166 Eaton Road, Ste. F., (530) 894-3282, chicotheater.com

The Yule Logs
Dec. 2-18. The hardest working band in snow biz is back for another run of rockin’ holiday parties. Local shows include: Chico Women’s Club (Dec. 2, 4 p.m.); Duffy’s Tavern (Dec. 4, 9 p.m.); Argus Bar + Patio (Dec. 8, 8:30 p.m.); and Paradise Ice Rink (two shows: Dec. 11 and 18, 6:30 p.m.). Go to yulelogsmusic.com for info.

A Very Chico Nutcracker
Dec. 3-5, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 1 p.m. & 6 p.m., Sun. 1:00 p.m. Traditional Nutcracker ballet with an infusion of rich Chico history presented by the Chico Community Ballet. $17-$30. Laxson Auditorium, Chico State. (530) 898-6333, chicoperformances.com

Winter Showcase
Dec. 3-4, Fri., 6 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. Uptown Dance Arts holiday showcase. Call (530) 399-0436 for ticket information. Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunneley Road, Paradise.
paradiseperformingarts.com

Holiday in Paradise
Dec. 5, 3 p.m. A holiday music and performance fest with Paradise Community Chorus, Paradise Symphony Orchestra, Big Mo, the Oroville Community Chorus, Northern California Ballet and various local artists. $15. Call (530) 588-4959 for info.Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunneley Road, Paradise. paradisesymphony.org

Believe
Dec. 10-12, Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. An original production inspired by the children’s classic book The Polar Express. Created, produced and directed by Chico brother-and-sister musician-and-dancer team Jeff Schneeweis and Sarah Blakley. A family-friendly journey to the North Pole with performances by local community members. $17-$30. Laxson Auditorium, Chico State. (530) 898-6333. chicoperformances.com

North State Symphony: Holiday Concert
Dec. 10-12, Fri., 7:30 p.m. (Chico), Sat., 7:30 p.m. (Red Bluff), Sun., 2 p.m. (Redding). Celebrate the season with a festive performance of a variety of sacred and popular holiday music. $15-$30. First Baptist Church, 850 Palmetto Ave.; Red Bluff State Theatre, 333 Oak St. 898-5984; All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 2150 Benton Dr., Redding.

Merry Standish Comedy Christmas
Dec. 11, 8 p.m. Christmas spoofery and topical, local and political satire wrapped up in a seasonal holiday package by North State comedy duo Aaron “Snowflake” Standish and Liz “Virgin” Merry. The show will also feature longtime players John “Jingle Balls” Bertoli, Stevie “Chestnuts” Cook and piano man/brewmaster Roland “Angel of God” Allen. $10 advance tickets, $15 at the door. Mulberry Station Brewing Company, 175 E. 20th Street. (530) 228-7347.
merrystandish.com

A Very Kiry Christmas Comedy Showcase
Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m. A holiday stand-up party headlined by Kiry Shabazz (who has appeared on the The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central’s Standup Comedians, and more). Also featuring Josh Means, Logan Farr and Tina San Lucas. $15. Tackle Box, 379 E. Park Ave.
tackleboxchico.com

Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico
Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Two Los Angeles dance and music ensembles—Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuélla—celebrate the holiday traditions of Mexico. $24-$42. Laxson Auditorium, Chico State. (530) 898-6333, chicoperformances.com

The Nutcracker – Paradise
Dec. 17-19, Fri. & Sat., 7:15 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 2 p.m. Northern California Ballet’s production of the traditional holiday ballet that follows Clara through the Land of Sweets to the tune of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. $12-$20. Paradise PerformingArts Center, 777 Nunneley Road, Paradise. northerncaliforniaballet.com

A Rockin’ Christmas
Dec. 18, 7 p.m. A spirited seasonal showcase featuring locals Hot Flash, the Chuck Epperson Band and singer-songwriter Kyle Williams. $10. El Rey Theater, 230 W. Second St. elreychico.com

Dyrk & Laurel Holiday Show
Dec. 18, 1 p.m. Local singer-songwriter duo. The Allies Pub, 426 Broadway Ste. 130.

Charity

Chico Housing Action Team needs donations and volunteers for the community group’s efforts at meeting the needs of the unhoused. Donation checks can be made out to CHAT and mailed to PO Box 4868, Chico, 95927. Visit chicohousingactionteam.net or call (530) 399-3965 for more info.

Far Northern Regional Center is accepting donations for its efforts in providing services and support for persons with developmental disabilities. Also, contributions can be made to the Holidays Are For Caring Fund to provide gifts for those who may not otherwise receive any during the holiday season. (530) 222-4791, farnorthernrc.org

Jesus Center needs food and clothing donations along with volunteers. Call (530) 345-2640 or visit
jesuscenter.org for info.

North Valley Community Foundation is accepting donations for various wildfire and COVID relief efforts. Visit nvcf.org or call (530) 891-1150 to donate and for more information.

Safe Space facilitates shelter and provides outreach to the homeless community. Visit the group online at safespacechico.org and follow on Facebook for donation needs and updates on volunteer signups.

Salvation Army’s red donation kettles are popping up for the holidays. Donate to support programs online at chico.salvationarmy.org. Salvation Army community center, 567 E. 16th Street. Info: 800-SAL-ARMY.

6th Street Center for Youth needs donations of personal-care items, first-aid supplies, undergarments, coats, backpacks, sleeping bags, blankets and more. Donations accepted Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 130 W. Sixth St. (530) 894-8008. 6thstreetcenter.org

Torres Shelter needs donations and volunteers. Torres Community Shelter, 101 Silver Dollar Way. Info: (530) 891-9048, torresshelter.org

Youth for Change is accepting donations and volunteers for its community collaborations supporting the healing of children and families (including those displaced by the Camp Fire). (530) 877-1965, youth4change.org