The SJCC’s annual Hanukkah celebration will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the center. This year’s theme is Hanukkah Under the Stars. Admission is free with a donation of oil to the JFS Food Bank. The event will feature The Not Its, PJ Library and The Sababas. Dinner is available from Stopsky’s Deli, Island Crust Pizza or Kosher Chinese. Register online at www.sjcc.org.

Thursday | 15

Mercer Island Radio Operators Meeting: 7 p.m., Dec. 15, Mercer Island Fire Station, 3030 78th Ave. S.E. Learn about amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness. www.mirohams.org.

Friday | 16

Christmas Ships: 7:50-8:10 p.m., Dec. 16, Luther Burbank Park. The event, put on by Argosy, has been a tradition in the Northwest for 62 years. The group of ships travels to a different waterfront community each night through Dec. 23. The boats feature choirs that will sing a 20-minute performance during the visit. To learn more, visit www.argosycruises.com.

Saturday | 17

SJCC Annual Hanukkah Celebration – Hanukkah under the Stars: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 17, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Free admission with donation of oil for the JFS Food Bank. Features The Not Its, PJ Library and The Sababas. Purchase dinner from Stopsky’s Delicatessen, Island Crust Pizza or Kosher Chinese. Register at www.SJCC.org.

Sunday | 18

Carol Sing-A-Long: 8:15 a.m., Dec. 18, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Family Christmas Carol sing-a-long during service. www.mipc.org.

Three Wisemen Concert: 5-6 p.m., Dec. 18, MI Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave. S.E. Brian Fennell, Timothy James Meaney and friends will present an evening of acoustic worship and Christmas songs including acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin and piano music. A fresh take on MIPC’s past beloved tradition of Acoustic Christmas. www.mipc.org.

Monday | 19

Congregation Shevet Achim Hanukkah – The Body and the Soul, Spiritual Dimensions of Hanukkah: 7-7:45 p.m., Dec. 19, Island Crust Cafe, 7525 S.E. 24th Street. Dinner available: 6:30-7 p.m. Q&A: 7:45-8 p.m. The community is welcome. www.shevetachim.com.

Saturday | 24

Herzl-Ner Tamid Annual Chanukah Party: 6 p.m., Dec. 24, 3700 East Mercer Way. The night will start with havdallah and bring-your-own chanukiah lighting, followed by a Chinese dinner prepared by C&E Catering, featuring sufganiot (fried donuts). HNT Theatre will show the movie “The Princess Bride.” Adults (ages 13 and older): $10. Kids ages 3-12: $7. Kids 2 and younger: free. www.h-nt.org.

Events | Ongoing

“Excerpts from the Nutcracker”: 7 p.m., Dec. 16 and 18; 2 p.m., Dec. 17-18, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th Street. Presented by Mercer Island Youth Ballet and Children’s Dance Conservatory. Tickets: www.IYBNutcracker.com.

“Free to Be… You and Me”: 7 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, ongoing through Dec. 18, Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th Street. Tickets: $10. www.youththeatre.org.

SJCC Winter Break Camp: Dec. 19-30, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way. Register at www.SJCC.org.

Christmas Services

Congregational Church of Mercer Island: Family Christmas Eve Service, 4 p.m.; Traditional Family Candlelight Service with Choir, 9 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas Day Service, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Dec. 25. 4545 Island Crest Way. www.ucc-ccmi.org.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church: Christmas Eve Services, 1, 5 and 11 p.m., Dec. 24. 1 p.m. service for families with exceptional needs. Holy Eucharist: 10 a.m., Dec. 25. 4400 86th Ave. S.E. www.emmanuelmi.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church: Worship, 2-3:30 p.m.; Special Christmas Music, 3:30-4 p.m.; Worship, 4-5 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas Service: 9-10:30 a.m., Dec. 25. 8501 S.E. 40th Street. www.htlcmi.org.

Mercer Island Covenant Church: Christmas Eve Family Service and Kids Pageant, 5 p.m.; Candlelight and Carols Service, 11 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas Day Worship Celebration: 11 a.m., Dec. 25. 3200 78th Ave. S.E. www.micc.org.

Mercer Island Presbyterian Church: Christmas Children’s Pageant: 4 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: 6, 9 and 11 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas Day Family Service: 10:10-11:05 a.m., Dec. 25. 3605 84th Ave. S.E. www.mipc.org.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 5:30 p.m., Dec. 24. Family worship time with carol singing. Christmas Service: 11 a.m., Dec. 25. 7070 S.E. 24th Street. www.gbgm-umc.org/miumc.

New Hope International Church: Celebrate Christmas with Christ, Christmas Eve Service, 8 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas Service: 10 a.m., Dec. 25. 9170 S.E. 64th Street. www.newhic.org.

Redeemer Lutheran Church: Candlelight Service: 7 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas: 10 a.m., Dec. 25. 6001 Island Crest Way. www.redeemerlutheranmi.org.

St. Monica Catholic Church: Christmas Eve Mass, 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m., Dec. 24. Christmas Mass: 10 a.m., Dec. 25. Christmas Day Masses: 8, 10 a.m., 12 p.m., Dec. 25. 4301 88th Ave. S.E. www.stmonica.cc.

Library

“Reindeer and the Dreidel” Puppet Show for Kids: 11 a.m., Dec. 15. Presented by Dragon Theatre Puppets.

Teen Advisory Board: 7 p.m., Dec. 20. Earn one volunteer credit hour. Light refreshments served.