COLUMBIA BASIN — The holiday season is in full swing with community festivals, bazaars, performances and more. Ignore your inner Grinch, get out and celebrate with your neighbors. Here are some of the festivities happening in your community: 

Dec. 5 

30th Moses Lake Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party  

Music and food, as well as photos with Santa, followed by a parade with trucks and farm equipment decked out in bright lights. Street party begins at 5 p.m., parade at 7 p.m. at Sinkiuse Square, Moses Lake. Info: www.downtownmoseslake.org.  

Dec. 5-6 

Ritzville Winterfest 

Ritzville welcomes the holiday season with a two-day celebration. Friday, the town Christmas tree will be lit in front of the Ritzville Public Library at 5:30 p.m., with carols led by the Chamber of Commerce and a visit from Santa. Saturday will see the Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ritzville Grade School with vendors from across the region and lunch available from Rollin’ Coal BBQ, hosted by Emmanuel Lutheran Church. The Ritzville Train Depot Museum will also be open with decorations made by local children. At 2 p.m., the Ritz Theater will host a free matinee of “The Polar Express,” followed by treat bags for everybody from the Ritzville Volunteer Firefighters. Info: www.ritzvillechamber.com. 

Dec. 6 

Winter Holiday Bazaar 

Find Christmas treasures for yourself or as gifts. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Community Church of Ephrata, 54 K St. SE. Info: 509-754-6130. 

Merry Market and Tree Festival 

The Moses Lake Farmers Market and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake combine Habitat’s Festival of Trees with a holiday market.  Stroll through decorated trees and have photos with Santa, while exploring the market’s gifts and goodies. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-237-2100. 

Handmade & Vintage Christmas Market at CCS 

Handcrafted items from students and vintage finds from Pieces by Parrott, plus holiday-themed treats from the Associated Student Body. Proceeds go toward the school’s greenhouse fund. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Covenant Christian School, 1001 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake. Info: 509-431-1879.

Winterfest  

Holiday bazaar, library book sale, turkey bingo, hot coffee and cocoa. The fun starts at 10 a.m., and Santa will make his appearance at 4 p.m. in downtown Soap Lake. Info: www.soaplakecoc.com.  

A Christmas Miracle on Main Street  

This year’s theme is “Christmas in the Country,” so grab your cowboy boots and get ready for a festive, family-friendly celebration. Food vendors, craft vendors, petting zoo, reindeer experience and more, followed by a parade and tree lighting. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. at Othello City Hall, 500 E. Main St. Info: 509-331-6768.  

Lake City Blues 

Live unplugged music from the iconic Moses Lake blues band. Bring a friend or two and a pair of dancing shoes. Snacks, beer and wine available. 6:30 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 S. Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: 509-750-4193. 

Dec. 6 and 13 

‘The Nutcracker’ 

The Ballet Academy presents the classic telling of a little girl’s Christmas dream. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/MLNutcracker25. 1 and 6 p.m. at Moses Lake High School Theater, 803 Sharon Ave. E. Info: www.balletacademyml.com. 

Dec. 7 

Community Christmas Concert 

Quincy Valley Allied Arts Community Choir and Orchestra present favorites of the season. Free admission with an item for the Quincy Food Bank. 6 p.m. at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. Info: quincy-valley-allied-arts.org. 

Dec. 9 

Ceramic Winter Tree 

Create an heirloom piece to add to your holiday décor year after year. This hand-built project will transform a lump of clay into a whimsical ceramic tree. Trees will be glazed on Dec. 16. Cost is $21. Ages 16 and up. Must have at least five students registered by Dec. 8. 1-3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info and registration: www.moseslakemuseum.com. 

Engagement Activity to Address Community Needs 

This fun and interactive group activity is your chance to influence future policy and budgeting decisions in Grant County. 6-8 p.m. at Soap Lake Public Library, 32 Main Ave. Register at ncwlibraries.org/soaplake. Info: 509-246-1313.  

Town Hall Meeting 

Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and his administrative staff will discuss crime issues, present facts and numbers, and listen to public concerns about unincorporated Mattawa and Desert Aire, beginning at 6 p.m. at Wahluke High School. Sponsored by the Wahluke School District and South Grant County Chamber of Commerce. Info: www.facebook.com/GrantCoSheriff. 

Dec. 11 

Grant County Health District Mobile Outreach 

Resources to help individuals in the community by offering education, resources, preventative care, and other types of support to those who may be in high-risk settings. Hygiene materials, CPR face shields, free Narcan, sharps containers, wound care, hand sanitizer, emergency blankets, seasonal warming materials, socks, condoms and feminine products, as well as information on housing, behavioral health and other services that are available. 1:30-3 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: www.granthealth.org. 

Kids Hope Bingo Night 

Support Kids Hope with a basket raffle and bingo. Tickets $5. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road.

Info: 509-707-0052. 

Dec. 12 

H.E. Gritman Senior Center Fundraising Breakfast 

Enjoy a homemade breakfast of pancakes and sausage or biscuits and gravy and sausage. Cost is $7 and all ages are welcome. All proceeds go to support the activities at the Senior Center. 7-10 a.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.   

Readers Theatre: ‘The Gift of the Magi’ 

Wahluke High School Drama presents the classic Christmas story by O. Henry. 6 p.m. at the Wahluke High School Library, 505 North Boundary Road, Mattawa. Info: 509-932-4477. 

‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’ 

The children of Mars are watching too much Earthling TV, so their elders kidnap Santa Claus in this 1964 campy classic film. Pre-film activities include a graham cracker house building station, cosmic iceball toss and more. Ugly sweaters encouraged. Free for the whole family. Presented by Columbia Basin Allied Arts. Activities begin at 6 p.m., movie begins at 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.cba-arts.org. 

Celtic Christmas Celebration  

Violinist Geoffrey Castle’s “Celtic Christmas” program will feature the Geoffrey Castle Celtic Band, Irish tenor Dan Connolly, singer Emily McIntosh, bagpiper Don Scobie and the Seattle Irish Dance Company. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-514-3849. 7 p.m. at the Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, on the Big Bend Community College campus. Info: www.ChristmasInWashington.com.  

Dec. 13 

Bells on Basin 

Ephrata pulls out the stops for this community holiday celebration, starting with breakfast with Santa and finishing with a lighted Christmas parade. Activities for children and adults throughout the day. Sponsored by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. 509-717-0050. 

Santa Paws Van-tastic Howliday 

Luncheon and silent auction with food, drinks, foor prizes and good company. Proceeds go toward Hands ‘N Paws shelter. 1-4 p.m. at Phoenix Family Farms, 2672 W. Kuhn Road, Othello. Info: handsnpawswa.org. 

This weekend at the movies:  

Fairchild Cinemas: Eternity (PG-13); Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (PG-13); Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution (R, English dubbed or Japanese with English subtitles); Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (PG-13); Predator Badlands (PG-13); Wicked: For Good (PG); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.  

The Showhouse: Home Alone (PG, free admission); Zootopia 2 (PG); Wicked: For Good (PG); Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times. 

Ritz Theater: The Polar Express (PG, free admission). 2 p.m. Saturday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates. 

    Othello’s Miracle on Main Street will take place this Saturday.