The inaugural First Sunday Arts Festival Holiday Edition will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7.

The first block of West Street will be closed to traffic for this event featuring more than 60 fine artists and crafters who will be lining the roadway, with restaurants and bars offering sidewalk dining.

There also will be music and entertainment and face-painting for the kids. Leashed dogs are welcome, too. Admission is free.

For more information, visit http://www.firstsundayarts.com.

There's still time to catch...

See the lights — The 20th annual Lights on the Bay continues nightly through Jan. 1 at Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. daily, including holidays. The tour features a two-mile scenic drive along the Chesapeake Bay with 70 animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway. New themes this year: North Pole Village and Enchanted Fairy Tales. $14 (per car). Proceeds benefit Anne Arundel Medical Center. 443-481-3161.

It's grand! — The Grand Illumination, the lighting of Annapolis Christmas tree, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Hopkins Plaza next to the Market House downtown. Various choral groups will sing holiday songs and look for an appearance by Santa. The event, sponsored by the Annapolis Jaycees, is free.

"Wonderful Life" — The Pasadena Theatre Company will stage "It's a Wonderful Life" from Friday through Dec. 6 at the Humanities Recital Hall at Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway in Arnold. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 5, with matinees at 3 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 6. $12-$15. http://www.ptcshows.com.

Sing-along — You're invited to join the congregation St. James' Episcopal Church in Lothian for the annual "Messiah" community sing-along at 4 p.m. Sunday. The sing-along, directed by Michael S. Ryan, is un-rehearsed and includes a chamber ensemble, soloists, organ and trumpet. Singers in this come-as-you-are walk-in chorus are encouraged to bring a snack or dessert and a score. Some scores will be available to borrow or purchase for $10. A candlelight reception will follow the sing-along in the parish hall next to the church at 5757 Solomons Island Road. Admission is free; a free will offering will be taken to benefit the Salvation Army. http://www.stjameslothian.com.

"Cats" in town — The Compass Rose Theatre is staging Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats, the second longest running play in Broadway history, through Dec. 21 at 49 Spa Road (across from the Westin Annapolis Hotel). Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Thursdays and at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Matinees are at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $20-$30-$35. 410-980-6662 or http://www.compassrosetheater.org.

'Carol' continues — The Colonial Players are again presenting "A Christmas Carol" at 108 East St. in Annapolis through Dec. 14, with performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, at 2, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 and 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets, at $10, are sold out, but stand-by tickets are often available. Just show up at the box office at 108 East St. 30 minutes before any show and buy your ticket. For showtimes, visit thecolonialplayer.org.

And make plans now for...

Dec. 5-20 — The "Hack and Slash: 2014 Christmas Special" will be held from Dec. 5 though Dec. 20 at Studio 194 at the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Booklyn Park. $35-$55. http://www.chesapeakearts.org.

Dec. 6 — The annual State House By Candlelight will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 at 100 State Circle. Experience the beauty of the most famous building in Annapolis with the sounds of musicians and choruses by the glow of the state's official Christmas tree. Free; ID required. http://www.msa.maryland.gov.

Dec. 6-7, 13-21 — Catch one of the best Christmas parties of all time, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," presented by the Maryland Ballet Theatre of Maryland at two venues. Performances at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 7. Then at Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20, with matinees at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21 (matinees include free Sugar Plum Fairy Party prior to the show). Tickets at Bowie range from $13 to $31; at Annapolis, $22 to $47. http://www.balletmaryland.org or 410-280-5640.

Dec. 6-7 — The Naval Academy's 68th annual "Messiah" concerts, featuring the combined glee clubs, will be performed at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the academy chapel. 410-293-8497.

Dec. 7 — The annual ALS Artisan Boutique will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel, 173 Jennifer Road. This event features more than 55 regional artists offering handcrafted jewelry, original children's clothing, accessories, pottery and paintings. There will also be door prizes, raffles, a silent auction, refreshments more. http://www.alsinfo.org.

Dec. 12 — A Celebration of Christmas with the Annapolis Chorale will be held at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St. $12-$32. http://www.liveartsmaryland or 410-280-5640.

Dec. 14 — The Annapolis Opera will perform "Mostly Mozart," featuring arias and ensembles drawn from Mozart and his peers, at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis. $17-$37. http://www.annapolisopera.org or 410-267-8135.

Dec. 19 — "Holiday Pops: A Broadway Holiday" with vocal duo Will and Anthony Nunziata and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, at 8 p.m. Dec. 19, at Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St. $10-$42-$60. http://www.annapolissymphony.org or 410-269-1132.

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Dec. 4, 11 — Annapolis' annual Midnight Madness celebration will be held Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. Stores in the downtown and in the State Circle, Maryland Avenue shopping district will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight for holiday shopping. Look for live music on the streets and a visit from Santa. Many merchants will offer complimentary refreshments both nights. In addition, an 11th-hour shopping event will be held Dec. 18, and stores will be open until 11 p.m. http://www.annapolisbusinessassoc.com.

Dec. 7 — Inaugural First Sunday Arts Festival Holiday Edition, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. The first block of West Street will be closed to traffic for this event featuring more than 60 fine artists and crafters who will be lining the roadway, with restaurants and bars offering sidewalk dining. There also will be music and entertainment and face-painting for the kids. Leashed dogs are welcome, too. Admission is free. http://www.firstsundayarts.com.