Christmas carols New Life Christian Church invites all to a special afternoon of Christmas carols on Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at Vedder elementary, 45850 Promontory Rd. Sing-along accompanied by the New Life Orchestra conducted by Dale Warr. Prelude at 1: 45 p.m. with piano and organ duet featuring Joan Hack and Ivan Pettigrew. Refreshments afterwards. For more information call Dennis Pederson at 604-792-6532.

Seasonal closure The Chilliwack Cultural Centre's art gallery will be closed from Dec. 21 until Jan. 3.

Singalong Come enjoy a carol sing-along and more on Dec. 24 at Cultus Lake Memorial Church (corner of Sunnyside and Fir) at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

These Kids in town Chilliwack pop/rock sensations These Kids Wear Crowns are in town to play a BC Children's Hospital benefit show at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Dec. 28. In addition to These Kids, bands performing include Cruel Young Heart and Little Wild (formerly Rags to Radio). Before the show at 5 p.m., hot cocoa and hot dogs will be sold by donation and the band will be accepting (and expecting) donations of canned food and Christmas presents for patients at BC Children's Hospital. Show is Dec. 28 at 7 p.m., tickets are $20. For tickets call the centre box office at 604-391-SHOW (7469) or visit in-person Monday to Friday, 9: 30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9: 30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are also available online at www. chilliwackculturalcentre.ca.

December at Branch 4 Branch 4 of the Royal Canadian Legion has special events scheduled this month: Dec. 28 ladies auxiliary cake walk during the fun and games; New Year's celebration, tickets are $25 on sale at the bar.

Country New Year's Celebrate New Year's Eve in Harrison Hot Springs with dinner, dance, champagne, party favours and live music by Todd Richard and the TR Band. Show is at Harrison Memorial Hall Dec. 31. Doors open at 6: 30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Proceeds to the Journey On Cancer Foundation (www. journeyonfoundation.ca). Tickets are $75 and available at 604-793-8824.

Elvis arrives Randy Elvis Friskie comes to Chilliwack Jan. 5 with his Las Vegas Show Band in The Real Tribute To The King of Rock and Roll-Elvis Presley. Shows are at 2: 30 and 7: 30 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Tickets are $39.50 including tax and service charge. For tickets call the centre box office at 604-391SHOW (7469), visit in person or purchase online at www. chilliwackculturalcentre.ca.

UFV theatre The second production of the University of the Fraser Valley theatre department's 2012/13 season will be the bittersweet tragicomedy Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout, by award-winning First Nations playwright Tomson Highway. Play opens Jan. 11 at 7: 30 p.m. in the theatre on the old Chilliwack north campus at Yale and Airport roads. There are two half-price previews Jan. 9 and 10 and regular performances Jan. 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 7: 30 p.m., with matinees Jan. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. and Jan. 21 at noon. Ticket prices range between $10 to $22. The Jan. 20 matinee is a special pay-what-you-can performance with a recommended minimum price of only $10. For more information and reservations call Rick Mawson at 604-795-2814, email theatre@ufv.ca or visit www.ufv.ca/theatre.

Winter Landscapes The annual seasonal show assembled by Chilliwack Visual Artists Association members is on at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre Gallery until Jan. 12, 2013 (gallery closed from Dec 21 to Jan. 3). CVAA members will present a holiday mood-setting exhibit based on a winter season theme that promises to be an exciting collection of artwork in a variety of media. Many items will be for sale and can be picked up by request prior to the Christmas holiday. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon until 5 p.m. and 6: 30 to 7: 30 p.m. on show nights.

Dickens animated Christmas Dickens 14th annual Animated Christmas Village (45945 Alexander Ave.) is indoors, wheelchair-friendly, and admission is free. Donations will be accepted towards the purchase of wheelchairs or food to be donated to the Salvation Army Food Bank. For opening times and the dates of Santa's visits please go to www.dickenssweets. com or call 604-793-1981.

Photography club The Chilliwack Photography Club meets the first and third Wednesday (next meeting Jan. 2) of each month at the Chilliwack Museum at 45820 Spadina Ave. All levels of photography welcomed. Meetings start at 7 p.m.

Quilters meet Chilliwack PieceMakers Quilting Guild meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (next meeting Jan. 16) at Cooke's Presbyterian Church 45825 Wellington Ave. For more information call Lyn 604-858-6070.

Knitting circle The Chilliwack Common Threads knitting circle welcomes new and experienced knitters to join them Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. at Heritage Room at Carman United Church, 7258 Vedder Rd. Come out for knitting help, ideas and community. For more information email loriangela@telus.net or see the group on Facebook.

To include your event, contact by e-mail reporter Paul J. Henderson at phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com, fax to 604-792-9300 or phone 604-792-9117.