Special events

Christmas Festival of Lights, through Jan. 4, Fri. 5 to 9 p.m., Sat.and Sun. 2 to 9 p.m., Edavilla USA, 5 Pine St., Carver. Fireworks Fri. and Sat. only weather permitting. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. $18 anyone 2 and older, includes train ride and unlimited rides. www.edaville.com/

Abraham Lincoln Was Here?: Stories of Taunton and the U.S. Presidency, through Feb. 12, Old Colony Historical Society, 66 Church Green, Taunton. 508-822-1622 or oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org.

Old Sturbridge Village Vacation week, through Jan. 4, Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge. Puppet shows, hands-on crafts, and much more are part of the creative activities at Old Sturbridge. Visitors can dip candles, spilt fence rails, learn how to use a two-man saw, enjoy games, songs, and stories of long ago. osv.org or 1-800-SEE-1830.

Festival of Music, Jan. 2, 3, 7:45 p.m., National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette, Route 118, Attleboro. Dixie Diehards Jazz Band, Jan. 2; Bedford Big Band, Jan 3. Both concerts are free. Last weekend to few the Christmas illuminations, ends Jan. 4 Christmas, Jan. 4, 4 p.m., Second Stage Studio, 1 Angell Rd., Cumberland, RI. Music and readings performed by the vocal students of Second Stage. Proceeds benefit The Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center. $10. 401-334-4800 or secondstagestudio.com.

Hot Stove Cool Music, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.,Paradise Rock Club, Boston. Includes Red Sox Executive Vice President Theo Epstein, ESPN's Peter Gammons and rockers Letters to Cleo, American Hi-Fi. Raises money for the Foundation To Be Named Later. $40. Doors open at 6:30. HotStoveCoolMusic.org.

Open casting call for Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman, Jan. 10, 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., WGBH, Brighton. Looking for kids 10 to 14 to join TV's top dog in a new season of hijinks, adventures, and fun. By appointment only. mauratighe.com or 617-424-6805

Blood from a Turnip, Jan. 16, 10 p.m., Perishable Theatre 95 Empire St., down town Providence. Handpuppet Improv sand the new play Puppet Kafka will be performed. $5, no reservations. perishable.org.

The Divorce Recovery Series, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. to 8:30, First Congregational Church. corner of Rte. 1A and Winter St., Norwood. An eight-week program covering the emotional stages of divorce and offering healing and support to those who are divorced or separated. The group is led by a professional counselor. Participants are welcome regardless of religious affiliation. $90. Preregistration is requested. 781-762-3320.

Annual Luncheon, Jan. 18, 1:15 p.m, Temple Beth Emunah, 479 Torrey St., corner of Pearl St., Brockton. Honors the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Ride Motorcade follows luncheon. Free. 508-583-5810 or templebethenunah.org.

Annual Fundraising Breakfast, Jan. 22, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Cafe' Porto Bello, 6 North Washington St., North Attleboro. Speakers include Jeremy Kapstein, Boston Red Sox Senior Advisor for baseball projects. $30 donation. Downtown Associates of North Attleborough. 508-695-4814.

Jazzed About Wine, Jan. 23, 7 to 10 p.m., Seaport Hotel, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston. Feturing premium wines, hors d'oeuvers, live jazz. Portion of proceeds benefit The Anthony Spinazzola Culinary Apprenticeship Program. $195 before Jan. 16, $215 after. 650 tickets available. 1-877-946-3976 or wineexpoboston.com.

Boston Wine Expo, Jan. 24, 25, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Boston. Seminars for all level of wine-lovers with wine experts Wine Spectator's Gloria Maroti Frazee. Seminars throughout each day range from $25 to $60. Grand tasting, showcasing over 450 international and domestic wineries from 13 countries pouring over 1,800 different wines: $85/before Jan. 17, $95 after for Sat., $75 before Jan. 17, $85 after for Sun., $140 before Jan. 17 for both, $160 after. Grand Cru Wine Lounge, $175. 1-877-946-3976 or wineexpoboston.com.

Out of South Africa, Jan. 29, 6 p.m., Sebastians Interactive Kitchen, Seaport District, Boston. Cooking demonstration by Sebastians Chef Dave Guinane, followed by a hands-on cooking class and authentic, gourmet South African dinner. Chef Guinane will show guests how to make traditional, gourmet South African meals including grilled ostrich fillet and bobotie, a baked beef curry with custard topping. South African wines will also be featured. Include a question and answer session on traveling in South Africa with explorer and president of ImaginExpeditions, Magi Guinane. $65 per person. 888.563.8334 or email interactivekitchen@sebastians.com or www.sebastians.com On the Edge, March 14, 3 p.m., Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence. Headlined by Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen and special guest Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle. Hosted by Smuckers on Ice. start at $25, starsonice.com or 401-331-2211. Portion of each ticket benefits the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Chuck Klosterman, March 25, 7 p.m. doors, The Cavern Club at Hard Rock Cafe, 22 Clinton St., Boston. An evening of Spoken Word, Music, and Q&A. Peace, love, and rock. rockonconcerts.com or 1-866-468-7619.

Organic Harvest Festival, Sept. 23, 2009, Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. expoeast.com

Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo-BioFach America, Sept. 23-26, 2009, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston. expoeast.com

Craft fairs/festivals

CraftBoston Spring 2009, March 27-29, The World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. Featuring 175 contemporary craft artists. 617-266-1810 or craftboston.org.

Outdoor/gardens

Winter Explorations, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Brook Wildlife Refude, Exeter, RI. Join Audubon naturalist on a quiet winter exploration of woods and fields of Fisherville Brooke. $8 adults, $4 child for members, $12 adult, $6 child for non-members. Ages 8+. 401-949-5454 x. 3041 or programs@asri.org.

Weasels, Jan. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Audubon Powder Mill, Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI. $8 member, $12 non-member. For adults. 401-949-5454 x. 3041.

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Activities, Jan. 19, Rhode Island Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, RI. Nature craft table till 2 p.m, animal interview 10:30 a.m., nature story 11 a.m., winter walk 1:30 p.m. weather permitting, nature story 2:30 p.m. 401-245-7500.

Winter Beach Walk, Jan. 31, 2:30 to 5 p.m., Moonstone Beach, South Kingstown, RI. $8 adult, $4 child for members, $12 adult, $6 child for non members. 401- 949-5454 x. 3041 or programs@asri.org.

Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., Easton/Sharon line. 508-238-6566 or www.mass.gov/dcr/events.htm.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk, 8 to 10:30 a.m., every Tues. Meet at the Charlestown Mini-Super on Route 1-A. Led by Phil Budlong. Free.

Arts & crafts

Rag and Bone Bindery Studio Open House, 1088 Main St., Pawtucket. 401-728-0762 or ragandbone.com.

Community Quilting, every Thurs., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell. 978-452-4207 x19.