This Saturday you can revel in everything Victorian as the Dickens Fest returns to Tacoma’s Stadium District. Expect horse-and-carriage rides, a costume contest (that includes yourself!), a beard contest and performances on two stages that include magic and puppet shows, singers, storytellers, youth actors in “A Christmas Carol,” instrumentalists and spoken word artists.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 8; Ball 6-9:30 p.m. Free. King’s Stage, 218 St. Helens Ave; Queen’s Stage, Titus Will showroom, 633 Division Ave, Tacoma. dickensfestival.net

The Pierce County AIDS Foundation has been supporting Pierce County people living with HIV for 25 years now, and to celebrate the anniversary the foundation is holding

its 2012 World AIDS Day event at Tacoma Art Museum, with a chance to bid on and buy local art made for the event and representing the iconic red AID-awareness ribbon.

The 10 works of art were made by local artists, and are displayed at Corina Bakery (602 S.

…

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Saturday-Sunday
Start a new family tradition by creating your own cookie house at the annual Gingerbread Jamboree at the Hotel Murano Bicentennial Pavilion, 1320 Broadway, Tacoma. Sessions are 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $40 for up to four people. The event is in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Tacoma. Call 253-627-6031 or go to playtacoma.org.

Today-Dec. 22
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry is inspired by the classic American film. The Spotlight Players production comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast …

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Tacoma’s newest brewery and wine bar not only are across the street from one another, both opened this month as extensions of already established food businesses in the St. Helens neighborhood in Tacoma. The wine bar is STINK Tank, a sibling business to STINK Cheese-Meat. The brewery is Tacoma Brewing Co., an extension of the coffee cafe Amocat. Today, I’ve got a Q & A with Blondin of STINK. Check back Friday for a Q & A with Alexander. Read more »

Legendary comedian and actor Bill Cosby will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Memorial Fieldhouse at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. The show is part of the university’s 125th anniversary celebration.

Cosby, 75, rose to fame in the 1960s with his stand-up comedy and the TV series “I Spy.” He went on to produce and star in other television programs, including the NBC hit “The Cosby Show.” He’s been a pitchman for Jell-O Pudding Pops, and he’s written several books. Cosby has won seven Grammy Awards and four Emmys.

Cosby’s contributions to American culture were recognized with …

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Usually you take in Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park from the warmth of your car.

But not today.

Visitors can preview the 18th annual Fantasy Lights during a walking preview from 5 to 7 p.m. today (Sunday, Nov. 18). It starts in the parking lot at Sprinker Recreation Center, where crowds will gather and then walk to the Spanaway Park entrance. Sprinker Recreation Center is at 14824 S. C St.

Coffee, cocoa and snacks will be available for purchase, organizers said.

About 3,500 people participate each year in the 2.5-mile walk, Pierce County recreation supervisor Cara Cross …

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Community Events
Check out the latest and best in the auto industry at the annual Seattle Auto Show 1-9 p.m. Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 17 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 18, Century Link Event Center, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle. $10-$12, ages 12 and younger get in free. seattleautoshow.com.

Historic Fort Steilacoom presents: You Are There, a interactive, historical presentation with renactors, 2 p.m. Nov. 18, Historic Fort Steilacoom, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood. Free. 253-582-5838, historicfortsteilacoom.org.

Watch gamers in action at the Yu-Gi-OH Championship Series 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 17-18, Greater Tacoma Convention and …

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Sunday
Performing since the 1960s, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper still rocks the stage. See him at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Emerald Queen Casino, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma. Tickets are $35-$70 through Ticketmaster.

Saturday
Discover the ingenuity and design of local “pilots” at the 2012 Rocket Race at 1 p.m. Saturday. The rubber band/propeller-driven balsa rockets are shaped, painted and decorated in advance for the competition at the Olympic Flight Museum, 7637 Old Highway 99 SE, Olympia. Admission is $10-$15. Call 360-705-3925.

Thursday–Jan. 1
In its 18th year, Fantasy Lights, …

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