Hear this Christmas tree sing
A POLAR CHRISTMAS
Polar bears cannot wander around the Muttart Conservatory, but staff have devised a creative way to combine the beautiful white bears, plants and Christmas. Hundreds of red and white poinsettias have been arranged to represent a giant, flowery bear, surrounded by illuminated icebergs. They’re calling their creation Fleur de Neige, and it’ll be the featured centrepiece of the Polar Christmas pyramid this winter. If the display gets you interested in seeing the real thing, make sure to enter the draw for a trip to see polar bears living on the shore of Hudson’s Bay. When: Until Jan. 5, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Muttart Conservatory, 9626 96A St. Admission: $12, adult; $10.60, senior and youth; $6.50, child. Info: edmonton.ca/attractions
S INGING CHR ISTMAS TREE
Now in its sixth year at the Jubilee Auditorium, the Singing Christmas Tree is a festive tradition for thousands of Edmontonians. Boasting a 35-foot-high Christmas tree bedecked with singers and lights, plus live orchestra and special musical guests, the event raises money for various local causes. This year, they’ll be turning the proceeds over to Santas Anonymous and the Christmas Bureau. When: Thursday, Dec. 18, Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.; with matinees on Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. Where: Jubilee Auditorium
Admission: $39 to $76.15, available at Ticketmaster, 780-451-8000 Info: edmontonsingingchristmastree.com
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Frank Capra’s holiday classic gets the live radio treatment at the Capitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park. Watch as local actors re-enact the story of George Bailey, his guardian angel Clarence, and the citizens of Bedford Falls, New York, in full period costume, with accompanying live music and sound effects. Dana Andersen directs, with a cast that includes Tom Edwards, Cathy Derkatch, Jason Hardwick and Davina Stewart. When: Thursday, Dec. 18 to Tuesday, Dec. 23, various times. Where: Capitol Theatre, Fort Edmonton Park Admission: $18, available at the gate or from the Fort Edmonton website Info: fortedmontonpark.ca
HARRY POTTER
Movie marathons are an unacknowledged tradition over the holiday season. While some like to cue up the Star Wars or Lord of the Rings films in chronological order, others have been turning to Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter for their fun. The folks at Metro Cinema have very kindly collected all eight of the Potter films for viewing over a five-day period, so you can catch them on the big screen where they need to be seen. Those who don’t have the intestinal fortitude to go the distance can buy tickets for single films, but keep in mind that the Metro is also selling passes for the entire series. When: Saturday, Dec. 20, to Friday, Dec. 26 Where: Metro Cinema, 8712 109th St. Admission: $10, adult; $6, children, student and senior citizen. Available at the door or from the Metro website. Festival passes also available. Info: metrocinema.org
P ENG U IN S OF MADAGASCAR
They might not be particularly fleet of foot, but if there’s anything the series of Madagascar animated films have proven it’s that penguins make great spies. So great, in fact, that they’ve spun off Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private into their own film, Penguins of Madagascar, where the foursome join forces with The North Wind on a mission to save the world from Dr. Octavius Brine. The family-friendly film is currently playing multiple theatres across the city in both regular and 3-D format. When: Various times Where: Various theatres Admission: $13.25 to $16.25, depending on format. Info: cineplex.com/Showtimes Family Five is compiled and written by Tom Murray. If you have ideas for the column, email livingwell@ edmontonjournal.com with Family Five in the subject line.