For the second year in a row, the hillside behind Trollers Lodge in Depoe Bay has been transformed into a visual extravaganza by some very committed neighbors.

The holiday season will be in full swing in Lincoln City this weekend when the Festival of Trees opens for public viewing at Chinook Winds Casino Resort.

If you are one of the few who has not yet made it to Ginger Roots, one of the newest and loveliest additions to the Lincoln City Outlets, then this holiday season is the perfect time to do so. Some advice: run, don’t walk.

In a two-week Spotlight Pedestal Show starting this Saturday, Dec. 3, the Yaquina Art Association will be featuring the artwork of Sarah Hawklyn and Gloria Romanelli.

Pacific City’s Kiawanda Community Center will magically transform into the North Pole for the annual Holiday Bazaar this Saturday, Dec. 3.

The Sea of Lights is back, illuminating Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium designs inspired by coastal flora and fauna, like joyous jellies, caroling crabs and sparkling starfish every Friday and Saturday evening from Dec. 2 through Dec. 17.

Explore the “Painted Stories” of Maria Esther Sund at the Newport Visual Arts Center, opening with an artist’s talk in the Upstairs Gallery this Saturday, Dec. 3.

Follow the bouncing ball to the Newport Performing Arts Center for a lyric assisted sing-along with members of the Central Coast Chorale during Holly Jolly — A Festive Family Affair, this Friday, Dec. 2.

‘Twas the month before winter term, when all through the county
Every creature was waiting for non-credit bounty.
The non-credit classes had been planned with great care
And mailboxes knew the ‘Catch’ soon would be there.

Winter in Toledo has an inspired quality to it — lights and decorations shine from the streets, while the soft glow of lights from the mill seems to take on a holiday spirit of its own.

Even during the roughest parts of the pandemic, holiday lights created a bright spot, giving people the opportunity to celebrate the season, while still socially isolating, with self-designed driving tours.

If the potpourri of objects had voices, they would narrate a colorful anthology of stories around the various arts and artists featured at Local Faire, the handmade crafts and gifts shop tucked away among the mega-brand stores at Lincoln City Outlets.

When it comes to Christmas trees, you want to get your hands on a prime specimen. That’s where members of the Prime Cuts Ranchers 4-H Club can help.

Weave your way to the Newport Performing Arts Center for the exhibit “Fabric of Nature,” by Sue Friesz, on display in the Olive Street Gallery through Dec. 31.

Lincoln City’s Theatre West is presenting A Trio of Christmas Tales in a readers theater format this Thanksgiving weekend.

Toledo has celebrations to kick off the Christmas holiday well and truly covered.

Arts and crafts of all kinds will be up for grabs this weekend, accompanied by a slate of live music, as the inaugural Lincoln City Winter Art Festival gets underway.

The December show at Manzanita’s Hoffman Center for the Arts will feature paintings by Dennis Worrel and Melissa Young along with a special exhibit of teapots made by local artists.

The green-cross cannabis flag is visible to Highway 101 traffic towards the north end of Depoe Bay. Just beside it, on the front wall’s wood and stone façade, is Pete’s Farm Dispensary’s distinctively folksy red barn logo.

This week’s column is an impassioned plea for Brussels sprouts.