Dayton-Area calendar

Saturday

Holiday Open House weekends, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Custom Gardens, 3701 Elm St., Silver Springs. Includes educational show-and-tell mini tours. Non-perishable food items and cash donations accepted for local Christmas food baskets; market open during open house. Call 577-2069.

Father Christmas in Historic Virginia City, noon-4 p.m., Father Christmas will be available for photos at the visitor's center every Saturday and Sunday through December 21st. Refreshments will be provided. Visitor's Center in the Old Crystal Bar, 86 South C St., Virginia City

All-Chamber Mixer, 6 p.m. 4th Ward School, Virginia City. $10 per person

"The 12 Gifts of Christmas" by Misfits Theater Group to benefit Lyon County Shop with a Sheriff program, 4 p.m. Chucks Old West Grill at 65 Pike St. in Old Town Dayton, $12, children under free.

Sunday

Spaghetti Dinner benefit for James Patterson, 4 p.m. Dayton Elementary School, Old Dayton Valley Road.

"Peanut Cracker," 2:30 p.m., Piper's Opera House, Virginia City. Presented by the Sierra Nevada Ballet. Tickets $10. Call 847-7500.

Father Christmas in Historic Virginia City, noon to 4 p.m. Father Christmas will be available for photos at the visitor's center every Saturday and Sunday through December 21st. Refreshments will be provided. Visitor's Center in the Old Crystal Bar, 86 South C St., Virginia City.

Annual Gingerbread Social and Charity Auction, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Historic Fourth Ward School and Museum, 537 S. C St., Virginia City. Bid on creations; refreshments available. Call 847-7500.

Tuesday

"A Christmas Calamity," 8 p.m. Dec. 16. Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 Main St., Gold Hill. Show only $10; dinner available with show, $28. Presented by Gold Hill Theater Troupe. Call 847-0111.

River Vista Fitness Ribbon Cutting with the Dayton- Area Chamber of Commerce, 5:30 p.m. 230 Dayton Valley Drive. Tour the fitness center and meet the staff.

Wednesday

"Toys Take Over Christmas" play, 7:30- 9 p.m., Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 Main St., Gold Hill. Local children perform with the Gold Hill Theater Troupe. Adult dinner special with play $13; children up to grade 8 dinner with play $8. Play only adults $10; children up to grade 8 free with parent. Call 775-847-0111.

Thursday

Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Gala, 6 p.m. at 1st & 10 Bar and Grill, Dayton $15 per person. RSVP to 246-7909.

Saturday, Dec. 20

A Cowboy Holiday, 1- 3 p.m., 209 Dayton Valley Road, Dayton. A free community performance featuring cowboy poetry, stories, music, songs, sing-a-longs with Harold Miller, Tom Zachry, Larry McPherson, Willis Lamm and Carole Thompson. Call 775-246-4600.

Holiday Festival of Lights, 4 - 9 p.m., Dayton Valley Golf and Country Club, 101 Palmer Drive, Dayton. Entertainment features Carson Valley Christian Dayton Christmas Choir, Dayton High School Jazz Band. Santa, Santa pictures, kid's crafts, hay ride, caroling, hot chocolate and coffee provided by Makin' Coffee, holiday cookies and treats, cash bar and a variety of dinner choices available. Donate new fire retardant children's pajamas for "The Children's Cabinet." Call 246-7888, ext 708.

Holiday Kids Party, Piper's Opera House, Union and B St., Virginia City. Watch the movie, "Polar Express," and visit with Santa. $5. Call 775-847-0433.

Father Christmas in Historic Virginia City, Noon-4 p.m. Visitor's Center in the Old Crystal Bar, 86 South C St.