Thanks to Lise Thivierge for the photo from Seacrest showing this morning’s high tide at the West Seattle Water Taxi dock. You could say the holiday tide is rising – with lots happening this weekend, starting tonight! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (which we’re continuing to update daily!) and WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (updated daily year-round):

SANTA PHOTOS: Today “Santa Al” will be available for photos – free with your camera, or have a photo taken for $5 – at Small Clothes today (and tomorrow), 10:30 am-1:30 pm, first of several appearances in West Seattle. Westwood Village’s Santa photos continue daily too. And check the Holiday Guide for lots MORE Santa this weekend – “Ex-Westwood Santa” starts his rounds tomorrow, and the Junction Santa will be at City Mouse on Sunday – this first time is BRING YOUR OWN CAMERA, though. All the details here (scroll to the Santa Photos section).

FIREFLY CAFE AND CREPERIE’S OPENING DAY: The new eatery at California and Genesee has a sign on its door saying it’s opening no later than 11 am.

SAMPLER TOUR OF ARTISTS’ GALLERIES “Sampler” tour of local artists’ galleries, 4-9 pm tonight (and continuing this weekend) – full details here.

HOLY ROSARY LOT ‘FESTIVAL OF TREES’: As previewed here yesterday, the Holy Rosary School Tree Lot (WSB sponsor) will celebrate the first big weekend of the season with the first “Festival of Trees” 6-9 pm tonight at the lot, north of the school at 41st and Dakota. You don’t have to wait till then to get your tree, though – it’s open 3-9 pm on Fridays (and 9 am-9 pm Saturdays/Sundays, 4-8 pm Mondays-Thursdays).

HUSKY DELI OPEN HOUSE: The famous, tasty holiday open house at Husky Deli in The Junction is scheduled for 6-9 pm tonight.

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s venues featured in the regular calendar – follow that link to see the individual listings – include Sid Law @ C & P, Barbie Anaka @ Salty’s (those first two venues are WSB sponsors), BOWI @ A Terrible Beauty, three acts at Skylark, The Slags and more @ Benbow Room.

‘THE WINTER WONDERETTES’: At ArtsWest, it’s the “new ’60s Christmas musical,” continuing at 7:30 tonight. Details and ticket sales are on the ArtsWest website.

Preview this weekend’s HUGE holiday happenings (including the West Seattle Junction Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday night at 5) by going here!