ZooLights, zoobright

Every December, the Oregon Zoo transforms into a spectacular exhibition of animal-centric light displays known as ZooLights. Attendees can also enjoy nightly performances from local bands, snacks from food carts and the popular winter-themed train ride. ZooLights continue until Jan. 3, except for Dec. 24- 25. The show runs 5-9 p.m., and the zoo advises you show up later in the evening to avoid the crowd. Tickets are $14.95 for people ages 12-64, and $9.95 on value nights.

Amen to the Book of Mormon

    The Book of Mormon is one of the most successful Broadway productions of the 21st Century. South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone created this satirical masterpiece in 2011. It has won nine Tony Awards (including best musical). Nearly 2,000 performances of the play have been showcased worldwide. Now, it’s in Portland with 16 performances at the Keller Auditorium, Jan. 12-24. Seats are in high demand, so if you don’t get your Portland tickets soon enough, you can try for the performances in Eugene,  Feb. 2- 7. The performance isn’t available online, so reserve your seats soon.

The Nutcracker: a tradition that never gets old

The Oregon Ballet Theatre’s twist on the classic holiday tale, this annual tradition features elaborately costumed dancers flying across the stage to the music of Tchaikovsky. At select performances, a live orchestra will perform. The show, a George Balanchine production, plays at Keller Auditorium Dec. 12-26. Tickets start at $23 on www.obt.com.

Dream all you want, El Niño isn’t seeing white Christmas

Portland will likely not see a white Christmas this year as the weather event known as El Niño dominates the West Coast. A particularly strong El Niño is predicted, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, meaning warmer temperatures and less rain. This could mean trouble for ski resorts, who already suffered a lack of snow last season with a widespread drought. So if you want to hit the slopes over the holiday, check the weather report first. El Niño has already begun and is likely to continue through late spring, the experts say.

Life’s a holiday on Peacock Lane

Looking for a fun (read: free) way to enjoy the holiday spirit? Take a stroll along Peacock Lane, Portland’s unofficial Christmas Street. Residents of the street, which runs from Southeast Belmont to Stark, decorate their house with extravagantly colorful lights and festive decorations. Blow up Snoopys, life-size gingerbread houses and an C-3PO-turned-Santa are all hallmarks of this yearly event. For the full experience, go on foot. Pedestrian-only nights are Dec. 18-20, and allow viewers to better appreciate the holiday cheer. Hot cocoa and cider are offered free from a booth, though donations are welcome. The 15 Line bus from Lincoln will take students within a two-minute walk of the holiday light extravaganza, which runs from Dec. 15-31, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A Procrastinator’s Holiday Heaven

Every year the Portland Saturday Market makes its triumphant return in December for the annual Festival of the Last Minute, the holy grail for all last-minute Christmas shoppers who want to give a handmade gift, but don’t want to actually make it. As always, the marketplace will feature handcrafted items made by local artists and vendors, with 40 different categories of arts and crafts. The event will also include daily holiday festivities, seasonal decorations, carolers, a booth for Santa and warming stations all around. True to its name, Festival of the Last Minute begins for one day Dec. 18, resumes Dec. 21 and lasts all the way to Christmas Eve. Come to Waterfront Park between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to catch it.

The Grotto. Yes, that Grotto.

The Lincoln choir and other singers from Portland Public Schools won’t be performing at The Grotto  this year, but its Festival of Lights is something to behold. Unwind and rejoice there during your winter break. The festival continues at the Catholic shrine in Northeast Portland until Dec. 30, save Christmas day, 5-9:30 p.m. Non-PPS school and church choirs will sing 160 holiday concerts. Entertainment also includes caroling, puppetry and a petting zoo. Tickets top out at $10 for ages 12-65 and go lower depending on age. Parking is free.

Twist Your Dickens: A Reborn Classic

Many read Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”. A bunch enjoyed it- some disliked it. But, clear your schedules somewhere between now and Dec. 31. Masses of people are bound to fancy the the play “Twist Your Dickens”  at the Portland Center Stage. The play’s personality changes from Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”, adding more adult material to top it off with more wit and assured satisfaction. Above all, known local actors will drop-in and beckon impromptu audience participation. Evening showings will be available everyday save Monday, but special showings will occur on Dec. 12 and Dec. 24 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively. Overall, the play runs nearly two hours. And  bear in mind, it’s recommended for ages 14 and up.

Put on a game face: Blazers vs. Cavs     

On the day after Christmas, gear up as the Portland Trail Blazers take on the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers at the Moda Center. Buy tickets now as Blazer games are almost always sellouts. The Blazers will be bringing their shooting star Damian Lillard and their upcoming scorer C.J. McCollum to face former MVP LeBron James and all-star point guard Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers are looking to defend their 2014 Eastern Conference Championship; the Blazers are fighting for a playoff spot after their loss in the first-round last year to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Moda Center, along Portland’s Eastbank Esplanade, is accessible by bike, car, bus and MAX.