1) The 9th annual Sackville Christmas Tree Lighting happens on Friday at 6:30 and there will be live music, free hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. So light up Sack Vegas, baby, at Acadia Park! And the best part… It’s free! 2) Halifax Central offers a Prelude to The Nutcracker on Sunday at 2. It’s interactive, includes performances from dancers from the cast and puppets from the Mermaid Theatre, and excerpts from a locally produced picture book—an event sure to get everyone primed to see the play at Alderney Landing the following weekend. And the best part… Library events are FREE! 3) Pond-ering some live theatre? The Frog Prince – a Webbed Pantomime is playing Friday and Saturday at 8, and 2 on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $18, $15 for TAG members, students, and seniors. The best part… This play about a frog is performed in the Pond Theatre in Jollimore. Get it? 4) Can you imagine how Queen Victoria’s soldiers celebrated Christmas with their families? Well now you have the chance to experience an antique Christmas at the Halifax Citadel on Saturday or Sunday between 12 and 4. Enjoy the festive air in the historic fort with Victorian carols, crafts, games, Father Christmas, and the Victorian photo booth. The best part… Admission is by donation to Feed Nova Scotia! 5) Oh Christmas Tree! Saturday evening from 6-7 the Christmas tree will become illuminated in Grand Parade Square. Santa will be there to light the tree; there will be fireworks, carols to sing, and the best part…arguably the best part of this entire weekend…the Octonauts will take to the stage! So bring your donation to Feed Nova Scotia and “Explore, Rescue, Protect” with Captain Barnacles, Kwazzi, Tweak, and the gang.