Event Menu

Both locations of Opal Divine's (700 W. Sixth, 477-3308; 3601 S. Congress, 707-0237) are in the spirit of the season tonight! Kacy Crowley headlines a musical fundraiser for the Miracle Foundation (www.themiracle-foundation.com) beginning at 6pm at the original. At Penn Field at 7pm, tickets to the fourth annual Whisky Festival are $45, and the evening will include samples of some of the finest malt whiskies from all over Scotland, paired with a lavish holiday menu. Proceeds from that party benefit Meals on Wheels & More; Thursday, Dec. 7.

Have a green, green Christmas at Austin's first ever Green Holiday Festival at the December edition of the Sustainable Shopper's Ball (www.sustain-a-ball.org) this weekend. Twang Twang Shock-a-Boom will provide the solar-powered musical entertainment, while more than 60 green-living vendors and educators sell their wares and share their knowledge. There will be plenty of family fun. This event is hosted by the Sunset Valley Farmers Market (Toney Burger Center parking lot); 9am-2pm, Saturday, Dec. 9.

If you've been inspired by the gingerbread challenges on the Food Network recently, here's an outlet for your talent: The Texas Culinary Academy (11400 Burnet Rd., 837-2665; www.tca.edu) hosts their fourth annual Gingerbread House Competition & Open House this weekend. Entries from all ages of amateurs and professionals are encouraged, and judging will be based on appearance, creativity, difficulty, execution, and consistency of theme. Awards will be announced during the Open House, which will also include cake- and cookie-decorating workshops, refreshments, caroling by the Austin Girls' Choir, and the opportunity to have photos taken with "Chef Santa"; noon-3pm, Saturday, Dec. 9.