Planner: Artisan crafts at Duck the Malls, Hawaiian Christmas, choral concerts, lighted tractor parade and other happenings in the next week

Avoid the “mall stress” and support local artists and artisans at the annual Duck the Malls craft market at Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. In its 13th year, the fair will feature more than 50 artists and there will be a bake sale that benefits the Olympia Film Society. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, admission is free.

Go “island style” for the holidays at the Aloha Christmas event at the Tumwater Timberland Regional Library, 7023 New Market St., Tumwater. The Friends of the Tumwater Timberland Library bring the spirit of Hawaii with songs performed by Olympia Aloha Ukulele Pu’ukani and stories of Christmas luaus, decorating palm trees and Santa arriving on a surf board. Put on your Hawaiian garb and join the fun from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, call 360-943-7790.

Listen to the sounds of the Olympia Choral Society at its annual Happy Holidays concert at Koval Center for the Performing Arts, 600 Sleater Kinney Road NE, Lacey. The free community performance is directed by Terrance Robert Bernard Shaw and will feature the Chinook String Quartet. Concert times are 7:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 11), 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Sharing the stories behind the classic holiday songs, the SOGO Brass Choir will perform in a 2 p.m. concert Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian, 1700 Kempton St. SE, Olympia. Joining them on stage will be the Olympia Youth Chorus. Tickets are $19, $5 student, and $25 family. Call 360-352-1438 for more information.

Put your creative skills to the test and join in the Lacey Timberland Regional Library’s Literary Gingerbread House Contest. Create a gingerbread version of a scene from your favorite book; join others at a crafting session from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday or make yours at home. The entry deadline is 7 p.m. Dec. 16. Plan to come out for the contest awards ceremony from 2-3 p.m. Jan. 2 to find out which house wins. For more information on the contest, call 360-491-3860.

Get jazzy this holiday season when Phil Lawson’s OlyJazz Combo performs in a concert at noon Friday. Head out to First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St. SE, Olympia, to take in the performance featuring Dennis Hastings and Steve Lucerno, bass, and Steve Bentley, drums. Go to facebook.com/events/656290557807165 for more information.

It’s not your typical holiday parade, but it suits Centralia just fine when the streets of downtown are ablaze with the annual Lighted Tractor Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday. The family favorite is hosted by the Centralia Downtown Association, and showcases vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks and construction equipment all decked out in lights. Stake out your place on the parade route for a fun night celebrating the city’s agricultural heritage. For more information, go to downtowncentralia.org.

Celebrating the Nativity, the Harstine Island Community Choir will perform its annual family Christmas concert, “Come They Told Me.” The free concert includes music from the Christmas Nativity story as well as classics like “White Christmas” and “Up on the Housetop.” The concerts will be held at 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 11) at Belfair Methodist Church, 25140 NE State Route 3; 3 p.m. Saturday at Shelton High School Performing Arts Center, North Shelton Springs Road; and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road N.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Planner: Artisan crafts at Duck the Malls, Hawaiian Christmas, choral concerts, lighted tractor parade and other happenings in the next week."