Winter solstice celebration Cannon Beach

Thursday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p. m. If you find yourself on the northwest Oregon coast on the shortest day of the year, this might be a good way to mark the observance. The Coaster Theatre, 108 N. Hemlock St., features musicians Hanz Araki (flute, whistle, vocals), Kathryn Clair (fiddle, guitar, vocals) and other musicians for a night of ancient carols, storytelling and Celtic winter songs. Information: www.cannonbeach.org

‘Christmas in the Northwest,’ with the Mike Strickland Quartet and Greta Matassa Astoria

Dec. 22, 7:30 p. m.

Northwest pianist Mike Strickland and his quartet are joined by jazz vocalist Greta Matassa for a show of classic Christmas songs in Astoria’s historic Liberty Theater, 1203 Commercial St. Information: www.liberty-theater.org/events

Portland Saturday Market Old Town at foot of Burnside Bridge

Every day, through Christmas Eve Billed as “Festival of the Last Minute,” Portland’s sprawling medina of crafts, clothes, art and gimcracks runs every day until 4:30 p. m. on Christmas Eve. A gift-giving, procrastinator’s paradise. Information: www.PortlandSaturdayMarket.com

‘A Christmas Carol’ Cannon Beach Through Dec. 29

If you can’t make ACT’s classic production of the Dickens play (or maybe you already have), you can make it up on the Oregon Coast, where Coaster Theatre in Cannon Beach is staging the musical version of the Christmas classic about Scrooge getting a second chance in life. Information: (503) 436-1242 or www.coastertheatre.com