Good causes

“THE HUNGER GAMES.” Sunday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m., Spotlight Tavern, 208 Rantoul St., Beverly. The Poor Sports, a hip-hop group, will perform to benefit Beverly Bootstraps. Food will be collected at the show, then donated to Beverly Bootstraps. $2 cover with food donation, $5 cover without.

WICKED FROSTY FOUR MILE ROAD RACE. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m., Tavern in the Square, Salem. Wicked Running Club presents the sixth annual race. The event raises funds for four scholarships that are awarded annually to local high school runners. The race begins in front of Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, with day-of registration and post-race party at Tavern in the Square. The first 400 applicants receive free technical shirts commemorating the event. $25 entry fee. For more information, email alphelan2@gmail.com or info@wickedrunningclub.com, or register at www.northshoretimingonline.com/reglivecb.aspx?eventyear_id=48.

Nature

VACATION WEEK FAMILY FUN DAYS: PREDATOR PARTY. Thursday, Dec. 27, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield. Learn about the different predators in Massachusetts, including how they hunt and how they stay warm to survive the cold winter months. Take a walk to look for fishers, river otters, foxes, hawks and owls. Adults, $7/members, $9/nonmembers; children, $6/members, $7/nonmembers. Registration required at 978-887-9264.

VACATION WEEK FAMILY FUN DAYS: PARENT/CHILD BUILD A BIRD FEEDER. Friday, Dec. 28, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield. Parents and children can make a feeder using a kit that contains all the necessary parts to attract chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, cardinals and many other birds. Following a short slide presentation, which will highlight the birds that commonly come to feeders, observe the sanctuary feeders to see which birds are looking for food. $18/adult members, $20/adult nonmembers and free for children. Registration required at 978-887-9264.

VACATION WEEK FAMILY FUN DAYS: SURVIVOR. Saturday, Dec. 29, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield. Attendees will explore the woodlands of the sanctuary, then imagine they’re stranded in the wilderness. In order to survive, they need to build shelters, collect firewood, and find food and a water source. Adults, $7/members, $9/nonmembers; children, $6/members, $7/nonmembers. Registration required at 978-887-9264.

FIRST DAY HIKE. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m., Bradley Palmer State Park, meet at headquarters, Asbury Street, Topsfield. The Department of Conservation and Recreation offers a free and guided brisk hike through Bradley Palmer State Park. Following the hike, Willowdale Estates will host a reception for hikers. www.mass.gov/dcr.

Film

HERITAGE FILMS. Thursday, Dec. 27, Hollywood Hits Theatre, 7 Hutchinson Drive, Danvers, 11:30 a.m., “Gloucestermen”; 12:15 p.m., “Civil War Life and Medicine.” Also, at 7 p.m., “Puritans Arrival in New England” playing at the Peabody Institute Library, 15 Sylvan St., Danvers. Free screening at the library; $5/admission, $4/seniors at Hollywood Hits. Presented by producer Dan Tremblay. 978-777-2711.

MOVIE AND POPCORN. Thursday, Dec. 27, 1 to 3 p.m., Topsfield Town Library, Meeting Room, 1 S. Common St. Enjoy a children’s movie on the big screen. Popcorn and soda will be served. jjohnson@mvlc.org.

Activities for

children, teens

and families

LEGO CLUB FOR KIDS. Friday, Dec. 28, 3:30 p.m., Boxford Town Library, 10 Elm St. Kids in kindergarten and older are invited to the library’s monthly club. The building theme is snow. Legos are provided. Creations will be displayed for one week. Free. 978-887-7323.

NEW YEAR’S EVE EARLY COUNTDOWN TO MIDNIGHT. Monday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wenham Museum, 132 Main St. Kids of all ages and their families are invited to kick off the new year with silly songs and mesmerizing magic tricks performed by Awesome Robb, and comical antics of Lindsay and her Puppet Pals. Event also includes a countdown to midnight with noisemakers, party hats, balloon art and a ginger ale toast. Come early and enjoy the museum galleries. $8/members, $12/nonmembers, $40/family of four. First-come, first-serve. Registration recommended. 978-468-2377 or info@wenhammuseum.org.

BEVERLY’S NEW YEAR. Monday, Dec. 31, 3 to 7:30 p.m., downtown Cabot Street, Beverly. Outdoor events are free. Indoor performances are $5 per button, free/kids 4 and under. Grand Procession at 6 p.m.; Kid’s Countdown and beach ball drop at 7 p.m. Train rides, fire spinners, Curious Creatures, balloons, storytelling, magic, drum circle, arts and crafts, and more. www.beverlymainstreets.org/beverlys-new-year-62.html.

Art exhibits

“RACHEL ROME HOUPES: A CELEBRATION OF ART.” Solo show on view through Jan. 4, in the ArcWorks Community Art Center Gallery, 22 Foster St., Peabody. Exhibit features oil paintings, acrylics and mixed-media abstract art work by Rome Houpes. Free. Street and public-lot parking available. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. arcworksart.org or www.facebook.com/ArcWorksCommunityArtCenter.

Food

COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST. Saturday, Dec. 29, 8 to 11 a.m., Masonic Hall, 20 Washington St., Beverly. Includes all-you-can-eat blueberry and plain pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and all the fixings. Proceeds support the Masons’ various charitable programs. $5/adults, $3/kids. 978-807-4150.

Clubs

FINZ SEAFOOD AND GRILL. Dec. 28, 9 p.m. to midnight, 80’s Reunion Band. 76 Wharf St., Pickering Wharf, Salem. 978-774-8485.

GULU-GULU. Dec. 27, Fax Holiday; Dec. 28, Force of Will & Friends; Dec. 29, Calamus; Dec. 31, Black Dog Brother. All events begin at 8 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 247 Essex St., Salem. 978-740-8882.

HARDCOVER CAFE. Dec. 28, Julie Dougherty. 15A Newbury St. (Route 1 north), Danvers. 978-774-1223.

HOWLING WOLF TAQUERIA. Dec. 27, System Soul; Dec. 28, Release the Hounds; Dec. 29, Vein; Dec. 30, 6 to 8 p.m., Steve Spungin. All shows are 10 p.m. to midnight unless otherwise noted. 76 Lafayette St., Salem. 978-774-9653 or www.feedyourwolf.com.

IN A PIG’S EYE. Dec. 28, 4 to 7 p.m., Blues Jam, Peter Fedele and Matt Pert from 9 to 11:30 p.m.; Dec. 29, Cannibal Ramblers; Dec. 30, 7 to 10 p.m., Eric Reardon and Friends. 148 Derby St., Salem. 978-741-4436.