Our community is filled with holiday spirit and events. Be sure your event is included by e-mailing aclose@ourtribune.com

12th Annual Nativity and Music Festival

View hundreds of Nativities from around the world and hear beautiful Christmas concerts at the 12th Annual Nativity and Music Festival Dec. 4-5 from 1 - 9 p.m., hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 4021 Deerbrook Drive in Kingwood. With activities for the entire family, the event is a great way to feel the spirit of the season. Admission is free.

Advent at Good Shepherd

Ring the bell with Salvation Army and Kingwood Rotary

On Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.., the Salvation Army will partner with Kingwood Rotary Club for the sixth year at Atascocita Wal-Mart. Look for the red kettles and bell ringers and join us in the magic of Christmas by helping The Salvation Army of Greater Houston provide for local needy children, adults, and seniors. This is an especially critical time for The Salvation Army because donations are running very low.

Music of the Holidays

LSC-Kingwood's own Symphonic Community Band and Chamber Singers unite to preform music for the holidays on Dec. 3 at 7:30p.m. in the SFA Performing Arts Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-312-1532.

Santa's Farm

Come see Santa Claus and all of his farm animal friends on Dec. 4 from 5-9p.m. at the Kingwood/Kingwood Park Ag Facility. The FFA members will be showcasing their animals that will be attending the Humble Livestock Show and Houston Livestock Show that evening. There are hay rides, candy canes, cookies, and hot chocolate. The event is free of charge, but donations are welcome. There will also be pizza available for a small fee.

Christmas In The Park - Pictures with Santa benefit local rescue organizations

Personal Touch Pet Sitting, Pet Ranch, and the Town Center Events Committee, will be sponsoring pictures with Santa, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. This year digital photos will be taken for your donation of $8.00. Bring the kids, bring the pets and bring grandma and grandpa. Your additional cash or food donations will help us make this holiday season an extra special one for homeless pets in our area. For more information please call: 281-441-7387 or 281-361-4300

2009 Winter Wonderland Open House

Start the season right as you experience the magic and merriment at the Crosby Community Center on Dec. 4, 5, and 11 from 6:30-8:30p.m. Create holiday crafts, snuggle up for a hayride, and visit Santa Claus. Pictures with Santa are available for a $2 per photo suggested donation, which will help with the cost of printing. Also, enjoy decorated trees, holiday entertainment, music, and refreshments. For more information, visit www.hcp4.net/ccenters.

2009 Holiday Open House

Start the holidays early this year at the May Community Center on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, and on Friday, Dec. 11 at 6:30p.m. Spend your evening enjoying beautiful decorations, live entertainment, refreshment, and more at the annual celebration. Bring the children to have their photos taken with Santa for a $2 suggested donation.

Ring the Yuletide Carols

Strikepoint of Texas' two handbell teams join together for their nineteenth annual Christmas concerts on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:30p.m. and Dec. 5 at 6p.m. at the Kingwood First baptist Church. They will present favorite carols of the season, which will be arranged for handbells, organ, piano, percussion instruments, and vocal accompaniment. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more information and for tickets, call 281-360-4743 or 281-358-1464.

Kingwood Pops Orchestra

The Kingwood Pops Orchestra is preforming for the holidays on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at 7:30p.m. at the Nathaniel Center. General admission seating is free and table seating may be reserved for $20. For more information, call 281-312-7677 or visit www.kingwoodpops.org.

Cookies & Tea Under the Tree

Help benefit Family Time on Dec. 5, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Kingwood's Town Center Park. Join them for a cookie exchange, cookie sampling, hot drinks, cookie decorating demonstrations by Finale's Glenna Artipe, and a hands-on kid's cookie decorating tent. There is a donation of $5 and 2 dozen cookies per family or a $10 donation if you do not bring cookies. For each donation, participating families will be given an empty cookie box to fill with 1 dozen different cookies. For more information or sponsorship information, contact Cherrie Ledoux at 832-527-2237 or at agrandaffair@gmail.com.

Harbor Holiday Hike with the Hounds

Benefiting the AABY foundation. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 – 5 p.m. at Kings Harbor. Join AABY and Kings Harbor for the annual Hike with the Hounds and Christmas tree lighting celebration. Post walk celebration includes: doggie bags, Santa pictures, special guest Clifford the Big Red Dog, Kingwood Big Band and Chorale, contests and a beautiful tree lighting. Register on-line at www.aaby.org for $10 per human and dog team, or at the door at 2 p.m. for $15 per human and dog team.

An Old-Fashioned Christmas

Take a trip to the 19th-century with Jesse Jones on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 4-7p.m. The homestead comes to life with its holiday customs for one night only. There will be music, a craft, tree lighting, wassail and cookies, and an early visit from Saint Nicholas. Reservations are required for Harris County residents beginning Nov. 16 and non-Harris County residents can make reservations beginning Nov. 23. This event is for all ages.

Holiday at the Harbor

Kings Harbor will be filled with cheerful holiday music on Dec. 5 at 4:30p.m. The Kingwood Big Band will preform with the Kingwood Chorale in concert this season. They will feature seasonal music favorites and more at this free event. For more information, contact the Kingwood Musical Arts Society at 281-310-1250 or www.kingwoodmusicalarts.org.

HESI Annual Christmas Party

Dance the night away with your special someone and spend time with your friends at the HESI Annual Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 8p.m.-midnight. Raffle and door prizes will be given out, but the grand presentation is the Hispanic Man and Woman Awards for 2009. It is $50 per couple for this event, but it includes Individual Annual Membership to HESI. Space is limited so get your tickets early. For more information, contact Victoria Ramirez at (281) 361-4548 or visit www.hispanicexecutivesociety.org

Children's Holiday Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9-10a.m. Children will create a holiday craft and visit with Santa. After breakfast, there will be a performance of Rudolph by Express Children's Theatre at 10:30a.m. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Center or call 281-462-0543 to make reservations. Children of all ages are welcome, but an adult must accompany children under the age of 18. A $3 per person suggested donation will help with the cost of breakfast. For more information, visit www.hcp4.net/ccenters.

Second Saturday Settlers: Christmas Cheer

Jesse Jones invites everyone of all ages for some yuletide fun at the homestead on Dec. 12 from 1-3p.m. Enjoy a cup of wassail, old-fashioned treats, and get your picture taken with jolly old Saint Nicholas.

Holiday Family Photo Event

Yearly, Humble's largest Santa, 35 ft. tall, is put up and yearly, crowds come to see this festive sight at 18818 Pine Trace Court. This year, Dec. 12 from 5 p.m. - 8p.m., you can get your free color digital 4x6 photo with this massive Santa. The photos will be developed on site so everyone there can bring home their photos. For more information, contact John Franks at 281-852-9361 or at johnf@businesseventadvisors.com.

Kingwood Park Carolers

Kingwood Park High School and Kingwood Middle School carolers bring the sounds of the season right to the doorstep. From 5:30-8:30p.m. on Dec. 12, you can send a small group of these carolers right to the doorstep of a friend or family member. They are also offering a phone a friend program, which allows carols to be sent to friend and relative who live out of town. Reservations will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, contact KPHS choir director, James Park by email James.Park@humble.k12.tx.us

"The Nutcracker" Ballet

The Kingwood Dance Theatre is preforming their annual "Nutcracker" ballet. Performances this year will be on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1:30p.m. and 7:30p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2:30p.m. and 6:30p.m. in the Atascocita High School Theatre. Tickets are on sale at the Rowland/Ballard School for $18. For more information, call 281-358-4616.

The Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir Performance

On December 14 at 7p.m. the Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir is preforming for the Village Learning & Achievement Center at the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood. In addition to the concert, "Villager" Shane Hetherington is providing entertainment by playing some songs on the piano and the Village Choir will preform a few selections. There is a reception with light refreshments following the performance.

Good Shepherd Live Nativity

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church presents its 24th annual Live Nativity complete with shepherds, angels, wise men and live stable animals on Dec. 17, 18 and 19 at 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m. This outdoor re-enactment of Christ’s birth is complete with traditional Christmas carols and readings of the beautiful Christmas story. Parishioners of all ages play the parts of the holy family, shepherds, angels and wise men. St. Nicholas delivers chocolate coins at the conclusion of each presentation and refreshments are served in the narthex. For more information, visit www.goodshepherdkingwood.org or call 281-358-3154.

Atascocita High School presents Carols of Christmas

Come enjoy a wonderful holiday evening featuring the Atascocita High School Madrigal Singers and Forte choir at the annual Carols of Christmas concert at the Atascocita Presbyterian Church on Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 and will sell out quickly. You can purchase your tickets by contacting the chior director, Joseph Weir at Joseph.Weir@humble.k12 or call 281-641-7606.

Carols and Cookies at Good Shepherd

People of all ages are invited to come together to sing traditional Christmas carols and enjoy delectable Christmas goodies at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. A break in singing will be provided by the Good Shepherd adult choir to sing special arrangements of some less familiar carols. After the carol singing, the entire group will enjoy cookies and other Christmas goodies. Bring your neighbors and show up early to get a seat. For more information, visit www.goodshepherdkingwood.org or call 281-358-3154.