Go: Ideas for your weekend — Tree lighting, ballet, music

1. Trees all aglow

This week, communities will celebrate the start of the holidays with community tree lightings. Vancouver’s community tree lighting will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28. The event features food vendors and train rides. The Vancouver Community Concert Band will perform at 4 p.m. and the Vancouver Pops Orchestra will perform at 6:20 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St. The tree will be lit at 6 p.m., with an appearance by Santa Claus, at Esther Short Park, Columbia and West Eighth streets, Vancouver. Call 360-487-8600 or visit www.cityofvancouver.us.

The 30th annual Portland Tree Lighting Ceremony will feature a holiday sing-along with Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini, performances by Oregon’s Own 234th Army Band and NW Community Gospel Choir at 5 p.m. Nov. 28 at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland. Call 503-223-1613 or visit www.thesquarepdx.org.

The Uptown Village Tree Lighting will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 29. Activities include a performance by the Hough Community Choir, audience sing-alongs, hot drinks, live music and train rides. The tree will be lit at 6 p.m. outside Compass Church, 1812 Main St., Vancouver. Call 360-513-4828.

The city of Washougal will host its own community celebration with a Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 4. The annual parade is open to all participants, with each entry glowing with lights. The parade will be followed by the community tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. with Santa, pianist Barbara Curry and the Washougal High School X-Tet Chorus at the Reflection Plaza, 201 Pendleton Way, Washougal. Admission is free. Call 360-835-8501 or visit www.cityofwashougal.us.

2. Toys and tales

The Portland Ballet presents two of John Clifford’s storybook ballets — “Tales from Mother Goose” and “The Enchanted Toyshop” — with live music provided by the Portland State University Orchestra. Familiar characters of Beauty and the Beast, Tom Thumb and Sleeping Beauty will appear in “Mother Goose,” while “Toyshop” centers on the love story between two dancing dolls. Performances are 1 and 5 p.m. Nov. 28 through 30 at Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave., Portland. Tickets are $35, $15 for youth and students, $90 for a family of four and just $5 for the 1 p.m. Nov. 28 performance. Call 503-725-3307 or visit www.theportlandballet.org.

3. Operatic talent

Music Director Donald Appert will celebrate his 25th year at Clark College with a fall concert featuring Australian opera singer David Wakeham. The Clark College Orchestra will perform pieces from Brahms, Wagner, Sibelius and more at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Royal Durst Theatre, Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, 3101 Main St., Vancouver.

The Clark College Chorale and Women’s Choral Ensemble will present “Bounteous Feast of British Holiday Masterpieces” featuring a range of carols and holiday songs. Led by director April Duvic, the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Both concerts are free, with donations encouraged. Call 360-992-2662 or visit www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/music-concerts/index.php.

4. Smile like a crocodile

The ZooLights tour returns with many old and new displays, as more than 1.5 million lights will illuminate the zoo. The zoo’s train, fresh from refurbishment, will run on a route showing new views of the zoo. Visitors also can take part in a butterfly scavenger hunt, with six butterfly silhouettes hidden around the zoo. ZooLights will run Nov. 28 through Jan. 4, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Admission is $10, $8.50 for seniors, $7 for children and free for ages 2 and younger. The tour is closed Dec. 10, 24-25. The Oregon Zoo is at 4001 S.W. Canyon Road, Portland. Call 503-226-1561 or visit www.oregonzoo.org.

5. Books from locals

Local writers will share their favorite books while helping customers at the cash register during Small Business Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29, Temple Lentz, Kate Dyer-Seeley, Lisa Jackson, Hilary T. Smith and Valerie Geary will be on hand to sign copies of their work and make book recommendations at Vintage Books, 6613 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Call 360-694-9519 or visit www.vintage-books.com.