Ahoy! Landlubbers and sea lovers alike splash into the holiday season at the annual Parade of Lighted Ships, beginning at Olympia’s Percival Landing on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Return for an encore on Saturday, Dec. 8 and see which boats will win the award for best decorated. (This year’s theme is “An Old-Fashioned Country Christmas.”) The best public viewing is at Port Plaza! Dec. 5 and 8, 6 p.m. Free. Port Plaza, 701 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia. 360-352-7628, www.olympiayachtclub.org
Dust off your tennis shoes for Kent’s 25th Annual Christmas Rush Fun Run. Walk or run the 5K or 10K course, which takes you along the Green River. Holiday spirit required! $20, $25 with T-shirt, kids 13 and younger are free. Saturday, Dec. 8; registration begins at 8 a.m., 5K walk/run beings at 9:50 a.m., 10K run begins at 10 a.m. Russell Road Park, 2440 Russell Road, Kent. 253-856-5050, www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts/christmasrush
Prefer singing to running? Tune up your vocal chords and head the family over to the Sleigh Bells Caroling Competition in downtown Poulsbo. Listen to caroling teams belt out holiday classics as they compete to raise funds for the North Kitsap Fishline Foodbank. But don’t just leave the singing to the experts — join in the mass sing-along at 4 p.m. and cheer for the winners at the 4:30 p.m. awards ceremony. Come early or stay late to do some holiday shopping in downtown Poulsbo. Saturday, Dec. 8, 3-5:30 p.m., on Front Street in downtown Poulsbo. 360-779-7219, http://caroling4food.com
Choo-choo on over to the Washington State History Museum during the last week of the year to view the 12th Annual Modern Train Festival. The festival features the permanent 1,800-square-foot display of model trains traveling through a miniature 1950s-era North Tacoma and an interactive Lego layout that will have the kids shouting “All aboard!” before the day is over. Free admission on Dec. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 1, Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Adults $8, seniors $7, students $6, 5 and younger free. 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 253-372-WSHS, www.washingtonhistory.org
