'MISTLETOE MELTDOWN
Groove to pop and alternative tunes beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., and at the same time help raise funds for children whose lives were affected by the events of Sept. 11. Taking the stage at the "Mistletoe Meltdown" benefit concert will be Alanis Morrissette, Train, Better Than Ezra, the Cranberries, American Hi-Fi and Five for Fighting. Tickets are $25-$45. Call 410-481-SEAT.
Tennis tournament
Cheer on international tennis stars Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick when they face off Wednesday in the featured match of the annual "Chevy Chase Bank Tennis Challenge" at the Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Founded by former tennis star Pam Shriver, the tournament also features Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna, who will team with Champion Tour superstar Tim Wilkison to battle Olympic gold medalist Zina Garrison and Davis Cup star Richey Reneberg in the Salomon Smith Barney Legends Match. An Orioles Challenge Match features six-time defending champion Brady Anderson. Matches start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-$90. Call 410-481-SEAT.
'Homes for the Holidays'
Here's your chance to peek into the homes of Baltimore's legendary and lauded. Eleven museums and historic sites -- all decked out for the holidays -- will open their doors to visitors from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Refreshments, presentations, holiday music and shopping opportunities are included at each stop on the self-guided driving tour. Featured in the "Homes for the Holidays" are the Babe Ruth House and Museum, 216 Emory St.; the Edgar Allan Poe House, 203 N. Amity St.; Evergreen House, 4545 N. Charles St.; Homewood House Museum, 3400 N. Charles St.; Mother Seton House and Chapel, 600 N. Paca St.; Mount Clare Museum House, 1500 Washington Blvd.; 9 N. Front St.; Robert Long House, 812 S. Ann St.; Captain John Steele House, 931 Fell St.; the Pratt House, 201 W. Monument St.; and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, 844 E. Pratt St. Admission is free at some sites, $1 at others. Call 410-516-0341.
'Christmas Cookie Tour'
Sample homemade cookies created from favorite family recipes while touring 15 Victorian homes -- all decorated for the holidays -- from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The homes are all along Union Square, in the 1500 block of W. Lombard St. The 16th annual "Christmas Cookie Tour" is sponsored by the Union Square Association. The admission price of $12 includes the tour, cookies, a guide booklet with house descriptions and cookie recipes. Tickets are available by phone in advance or can be purchased the day of the tour at the "Old No. 2" branch of the Enoch Pratt Library, 1401 Hollins St. Call 410-945-1497.
'Latkes and Lights'
Celebrate the start of Hanukkah Sunday with an afternoon of family activities at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills Jewish Community Center, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. From 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can play mini Maccabi games, participate in dreidel- and candle-making workshops, sample latkes (potato pancakes), have your face painted and listen to music. At 3:30 p.m., the first Hanukkah candle will be lighted by an Israeli Maccabi teen athlete, using a torch from Modin, Israel -- the home of the Maccabees, the heroes of the original Hanukkah story. Admission to "Latkes and Lights" is $3, $12 for a family of four. Call 410-356-5200, Ext. 371.
'Jingle Bell Run'
Tie bells to your running shoes and move your feet to a jingling beat Sunday as you race in the annual "Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis." The 5-kilometer event for runners and walkers starts and ends at Bohager's, 701 S. Eden St. in Fells Point. Enjoy a pasta party and awards ceremony after the race. Registration time is 7:30 a.m.; the race starts at 9 a.m. The fee is $25 in advance, $30 the day of the race. Call 410-602-0160, Ext. 229.
Monument lighting
It'll be "A Monumental Occasion" tonight at 7 when the holiday lights are turned on at Baltimore's Washington Monument, North Charles Street and Mount Vernon Place. The free ceremony takes place at the base of the monument and will be preceded and followed by a number of events, including performances by choirs, entertainment by strolling musicians, celebrity appearances and a fireworks finale. Pre-lighting events begin at 6 p.m. The public also is invited to take part in First Thursday offerings along Charles Street, including free admission to Mount Vernon attractions and restaurant specials. Admission is free. Call 410-244-1030.
Pearl Harbor remembered
Survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack will share their experiences tomorrow during ceremonies to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the event. The memorial service starts at 11:30 a.m. aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Taney, docked at the Inner Harbor's Pier 5. Of the 101 naval vessels present during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack, the Taney is the only warship still afloat. The John W. Brown, a World War II Liberty ship, will also be docked at Pier 5 to participate in the commemoration, which includes a bell-ringing memorial dedication, a 21-gun salute and an aerial wreath drop. Anniversary events continue throughout the weekend at both vessels and other attractions of the National Historic Seaport of Baltimore. Admission to tomorrow's service is free; admission to the vessels and attractions throughout the weekend is $3-$6. Call 410-685-0295.
