Family calendar

Today

USTA Tennis Quick Start - Ages 5-8. Introduce your little ones to the game of tennis through a modified, kid-friendly method utilizing specialized equipment and activities that are age and skill specific. Held at Hamblen Elementary School. From 6:30-7:15 p.m. 2121 E. Thurston Ave. $49/person. (509) 625-6200.

Holiday Performances at River Park Square - 10:30-11:30 a.m., Centennial Middle School; 6:30-7:30 p.m., Cooper Elementary. River Park Square, in the Nordstrom corridor, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 321-1184.

“Little Mermaid” - Presented by Theater Arts for Children. Shows at 7 p.m. Spokane Valley Partners, 10814 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. $10/general, $5/age 12 and younger. (509) 768-3235.

Play and Learn Storytime (Otis Orchards) - For ages 2-5. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Parents and caregivers are asked to join in for the entire 60 minutes. 10:30 a.m. Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards. Free. (509) 893-8390.

Toddler Play and Learn Storytime (Valley) - For ages 18 months-3. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Parents and caregivers are asked to join in for the entire 60 minutes. 10:30 a.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.

St. Patrick’s St. Nicholas Pageant - “The St. Nicholas Pageant,” an original play by Deborah Dresser, presented by St. Patrick Catholic School. 7 p.m. St. Patrick Catholic School, 2706 E. Queen Ave. (509) 638-2527.

Ongoing

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - Through Feb. 27. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays and nights before a holiday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays. Special events: Tuesdays: skating 7-8:30 p.m., $2; Wednesdays: skating 7-8:30 p.m., $1; Thursdays: free admission, coupon required from The Inlander; Weekdays: skating, including rental from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for $4.50 or $3.50 for 1/2 hour session, School’s Out is weekdays from 2-5 p.m. for $4.50, includes rental. Riverfront Park Pavilion. $4.50/adults and teens, $3.50/children, seniors and military w/ID; $3.25/skate rental (not included with admission). Day passes are $13.75; season passes are $41.99. (509) 625-6601.

Santa Express - Through Dec. 23. With the help of Santa’s elves (volunteers), young shoppers choose inexpensive gifts priced from 50 cents to $8 for everyone on their list and wrap each gift so it’s ready to go under the tree. Vanessa’s Village, located in the entry of Santa Express, welcomes shoppers of all ages. Fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, a safe shelter for kids who are at risk of neglect or abuse. Open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Downtown on the skywalk level of Crescent building, 707 W. Main Ave. (509) 448-2900.

Christmas tree sale - Through Sunday. Children living at the Hutton Settlement Children’s Home have been growing Christmas trees for years. This is the first year they will be harvesting their own trees for sale and offering u-cut trees as well as pre-cut trees. Proceeds will benefit Hutton’s community service club. Hours are from 1-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The settlement driveway is a mile east of Argonne on Upriver Drive. Hutton Settlement, 9907 E. Wellesley Ave. (509) 926-1027.

Friday

“Season’s Greetings” - Blue Door Theatre Players will perform a show spinning holiday tales. All ages welcome. Shows Fridays at 8 p.m. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. $9/general admission, $7/children, seniors and students with valid ID. (509) 747-7045.

“The Nutcracker” - Featuring nationally acclaimed Ballet Memphis. 7:30 p.m. INB Performing Arts Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $22-39/adults, $14/children. (509) 624-1200.

Free Horse and Carriage Rides - Through Dec. 24. Travels through downtown Spokane. Sponsored by the Spokane Teachers Credit Union and the Downtown Spokane. First come, first served. No reservations. Fridays, 3-8 pm.; Saturdays-Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Christmas Eve, noon-3 p.m. corner of Wall Street at Main Avenue. Free. (509) 456-0580, ext. 102.

Saturday

Breakfast with Santa - Participants will enjoy a festive and entertaining morning complete with a delicious hot catered breakfast, holiday entertainment, and a memorable visit with Santa Claus. Photos with Santa will be taken and given to all participants. 9 a.m. Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W. 9th Ave. $15/person, $25/two people. (509) 953-5731.

Auntie Violet’s Holiday Storytime - Our favorite storyteller is back in all her purple splendor to help us get ready for Christmas! Hear some great Christmas tales. 11 a.m. Auntie’s Bookstore auditorium, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

KPBX Kids’ Concert - “Countdown to the Holidays,” with the choirs of the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus. 1-2 p.m. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Free. (509) 327-5729.

Sunday

Monday

Last Chance Drop ’n Shop! - Get your last-minute shopping done while your kids have a blast with icy science, creative crafts, fun games, and a snack. 9-11:30 a.m. Mobius Kids, River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave., Lower Level. $15/child. (509) 624-KIDS x0.

Toddler Storytime (Valley) - For ages 18 months-3. 10:30 a.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Tuesday

Holiday Performances at River Park Square - Noon-1 p.m., pianist Kendall Watson. River Park Square, in the Nordstrom corridor, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 321-1184.