Whatcom County will serve up a cornucopia of holiday events today and this weekend, including figure skating shows, lighted boat parades, and Christmas carols performed by tuba players.

Here's a list of what's happening.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

• Festival of Trees: Sixteen decorated Christmas trees will be on public display from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Leopold's Crystal Ballroom, 1224 Cornwall Ave. The trees also will be on display 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Donations are welcome. A gala with string music, beer, wine and auctions (for desserts, trees and more) begins 6:30 p.m. Saturday. For gala tickets, call the Health Support Center, 360-733-6714.

• Bellingham Bay Lighted Boat Parade: Lighted boats depart Squalicum Harbor at 5:30 p.m. and rendezvous at Bellingham Cruise Terminal at 6 p.m., with two laps past Taylor Street dock and Boulevard Park. There will be another parade the same time Saturday. All boaters welcome. To register, see byc.org.

• The Firs Noel: A festive holiday dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at The Firs, 4605 Cable St., features traditional and original Celtic-inspired music by Janet Drew. Details: thefirs.org.

• Handel's "Messiah:" Lynden Choral Society performs two benefit concerts, including portions of Handel's "Messiah," at 7 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday, both at 1010 Front St. Proceeds support Whatcom County Pregnancy Center. Details: Ethan at 360-410-8537, or Crystal at smylesrme@aol.com.

• Happy Holidays concert: Mount Baker High School choir presents two evenings of holiday songs and stories about the songs' origins at Bellingham Covenant Church, 1530 E. Bakerview Road, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission, $5, includes coffee and dessert donated by a local restaurant. One hundred seats are available for each performance; for reservations, contact choir director Linda Moore at 360-383-2033 or lmoore@mtbaker.wednet.edu.

• "The Christmas Toy Shop:" Michele Vacca's Christmas-theme play will be staged by the Lynden Performing Arts Guild at 7:30 p.m. at Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 655 Front St., with a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday. The show runs through Dec. 17, with several other weekend performances. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, and $8 children. For a schedule and details, see clairevgtheatre.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

• Christmas Train Ride: Santa Claus will be aboard Lake Whatcom Railway's old passenger train as it heads through the woods west of Wickersham to visit children and hear their Christmas wishes. Train times are 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. Price is $20 adults; $10 children, free for tots 1 year and younger. Tickets must be requested by mail, addressed to Lake Whatcom Railway, P.O. Box 91, Acme, WA 98220. The train also will run Dec. 10 and 17. Details: lakewhatcomrailway.com.

• Holiday Harbor Lights: Festivities start at 10 a.m. in Blaine, including a boat parade, caroling, a visit from Santa Claus, a downtown art walk, wine tasting and free horse-drawn carriage rides. A performance of "A Children's Nutcracker Fantasy" will start at 2 p.m. at Blaine Performing Arts Center, 975 H St. Proceeds support the Boys & Girls Club. For tickets, call 360-332-8929. A tree-lighting ceremony is at 5 p.m. at Harborview Plaza, and the boat parade starts about the same time in Drayton Harbor. Details: blainechamber.com.

• Holiday Faire: A festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Whatcom Hills Waldorf School, 941 Austin St., features activities for kids, including a visit to the Snow Queen in her castle, digging for crystals in Gnome Village, and a puppet play. Tickets are required for each activity, to benefit the school. There also will be live music, food and craft workshops.

• The Children's Shop: A special holiday craft bazaar for kids will run 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bloedel Donovan Community Building, with handmade gifts priced at $8 or less. Shopping is limited to kids, but adults can accompany them.

• Fairhaven Holiday Festival: A Victorian-style celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Fairhaven Historic District includes photos with the Grinch at Village Books, sidewalk carolers, and horse-drawn wagon rides from noon to 3 p.m.

• "Tuba Christmas:" The Bellingham edition of "Merry Tuba Christmas" - holiday carols for brass instruments - will start at 11:30 a.m. in Bellis Fair mall's food court. Rehearsal is at 10 a.m. in the JC Penny community room at the mall. The event is free for the audience and $5 for participants, who should dress colorfully and bring a music stand. Details: 360-734-2604.

• Holiday Port Festival: The free event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bellingham Cruise Terminal features local choirs, a gingerbread house contest, horse-drawn wagons, firetruck rides, art activities and an appearance by Santa Claus. Details: portofbellingham.com.

• Sinterklass in Lynden: Enjoy traditional Dutch holiday cheer with Sinterklass and his helper, Zwarte Pieten, from noon to 2 p.m. at Lynden Pioneer Museum, 217 Front St.

• Live reindeer: From noon to 6 p.m., a small herd of reindeer will visit Sofie's Goldmine, 930 N. State St. Visitors can feed, pet and take pictures with the animals.

• Ferndale Olde Fashioned Christmas: Celebrate Christmas like an early pioneer of Whatcom County at the festival from 1 to 9 p.m. in Pioneer Park. Events include a tour of log cabins, games, treats and horse-drawn wagon rides. Santa will be available for photos.

• Laud to the Nativity: Bellingham Chamber Chorale will perform holiday concerts at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The concerts include choral works from the Renaissance and modern times. Tickets are $15 adults, $12 seniors and students, and $5 for youths 18 and younger. Details: bellinghamchamberchorale.org.

• Bellingham Figure Skating Club: "Home for the Holidays," the skating club's 14th annual winter show, will start at 4 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, both at Bellingham Sportsplex, 1225 Civic Field Way. Tickets are $7 advance, $9 at the door. Bring a new toy for Toys for Tots and get a free raffle ticket. Kids 5 and younger get in free. Details: bfsc.info or 360-676-1919.

• Lighted Christmas Parade: A procession of lighted cars, floats, wagons and farm equipment starts at 6 p.m. at Fairway Shopping Center and proceeds along Front Street.