“It is the season of the heart, a special time of caring, the ways of love made clear.”

“The world is at her best, you know, when people love and care.”

— From “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” with words and music by Paul Williams

Don your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and grab your family and friends — Red Octopus Theatre Company’s “The Christmas Show” will return to the Newport Performing Arts Center for four performances this weekend.

Prepare to have your bells jingled as Strut Cabaret brings a very merry dose of season's teasin's to the annual Holiday Burlesque Show at Newport’s Primaltones Community Venue this Saturday, Dec. 20.

Jillian’s Hair Salon’s Giving Tree fund-raiser is back in Lincoln City through Wednesday, Dec. 24 collecting food, toys and other non-cash donations to support local animal rescue groups.

I was raised by a mother who absolutely loves Christmas. Our home was always decked out for the holidays with a beautiful tree with almost too many lights on it.

Find Your “Elf” in Waldport, a shop-local holiday scavenger hunt, is back at the town’s businesses through Sunday, Jan. 4.

This Christmas, Santa is trading in his reindeer for a steam engine. Come along for a train ride with the man in the red suit aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad’s Candy Cane Express.

Don’t blow your chance to enjoy bright music and holiday warmth as the Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble presents “Sounds of the Season” at the Yachats Commons this Saturday, Dec. 13.

Explore a century of coastal history as Jim Affolter presents “Neskowin: A Book of Found Photos 1880-1980” at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum in Lincoln City this Saturday, Dec. 13.

Experience the sweep of love and revolution as the Metropolitan Opera’s “Andrea Chénier” streams live to the Newport Performing Arts Center this Saturday, Dec. 13.

Step back into the golden age of radio as Theatre West brings “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” to the Lincoln City Cultural Center stage this Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13.

Kick up your heels with Celtic folk, sea shanties and foot-stomping originals as Adams & Linahon bring their high-energy sound to the Lincoln City Cultural Center this Sunday, Dec. 14.

Planted on the pinnacle of Heceta Head, a beacon of prismatic light simultaneously warns vessels and welcomes visitors to the Victorian Christmas Open House at the Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Light up your holiday season as the Lighted Boat Parade once again brings a festive glow to Newport’s Yaquina Bay this Saturday, Dec. 6.

One of Lincoln County’s most enduring and accessible community art traditions, the PushPin Show, will return for its 35th year this Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Newport Visual Arts Center.

You’ll have plenty of chances to enjoy the stirring choral harmonies of Coastal Voices when the chorus presents “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” in four performances this weekend and next.

The December exhibit at Manzanita’s Hoffman Center for the Arts will feature work by Daniela Naomi Molnar, julie moore and a group ceramic show.

Celebrate local creativity at Newport’s Pacific Maritime Heritage Center this Saturday, Dec. 6, as the museum hosts its Holiday Artisan Market, a festive showcase of handmade work by coastal artists.

Take refuge in beautiful music when Oasis Ensemble offers two opportunities to enjoy its “Classical Holiday Concert,” a radiant program featuring flute, cello and piano at the Lincoln City Cultural Center this Sunday, Dec. 7, and Newport’s Atonement Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Twin Rocks Friends Camp will host its second annual Gingerbread House Party this Saturday, Dec. 6, offering a crumb-licious day of holiday fun for families from across the North Oregon Coast.