November-December to-do list: 8 in-person, virtual events to attend in Sugar Land, Missouri City

NOV. 14: NANOWRIMO WRITING WORKSHOP

November is National Novel Writing Month, during which writers attempt to write a draft of novel in a single month. To help writers meet the standard "NaNoWriMo" goal of 50,000 words, Fort Bend County Libraries will offer an online composition workshop, featuring writing exercises and expert advice. 3-4:30 p.m. Free (registration required). Virtual event. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us

NOV. 21: MISSOURI CITY FIRE/POLICE DEPARTMENT FOOD DRIVE

As part of the 12th annual Operation Thanksgiving “Stuff the Squad Car and Fire Truck” food drive, the Missouri City police and fire departments will collect canned food and nonperishable food items for Bethel Ministry and the Fort Bend Women’s Center. The departments are aiming to fill 11 squad cars and two fire trucks with food. 9 a.m.-noon. Free. 3849 Cartwright Road, Missouri City. 281-403-5819. www.missouricitytx.gov

NOV. 22-26: PECAN HARVEST FESTIVAL ONLINE

This year, the Pecan Harvest Festival, which is held annually in downtown Richmond, will be all-online for the first time. The virtual festival will include various events, such as a Virtual Car Show on Facebook Live, musician-built playlists on the festival’s YouTube channel and artisan “spotlights” on the PHF Instagram page. There will also be a number of community raffles. Nov. 22 (car show); details on other events TBD. Free. Virtual event. https://www.facebook.com/PecanHarvestFestivalTX

WORTH THE TRIP: NOV. 27-29: VITACCA DANCE’S ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

Take part in a holiday tradition by attending Vitacca Dance’s presentation of Tchaikovsky’s Christmas ballet, “The Nutcracker.” The show will feature dancers from the Greater Houston area as well as guest artists. The theater is taking coronavirus-related precautions to ensure guests’ safety: All attendees will be seated at socially distanced, family-specific tables, which are available from two to eight seats. $50-$185; $17 (additional charge for Sugar Plum Fairy VIP experience on Sat. and Sun. matinees only). 7 p.m. (Fri.); 1 p.m., 6 p.m. (Sat.); 1 p.m., 6 p.m. (Sun.). The Woodlands Resort, 2301 N. Millbend Drive, The Woodlands. 281-367-7185. www.vitaccadance.com

DEC. 2: FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SHADOW PLAY

Fort Bend Christian Academy will perform Susan Zeder’s “The Taste of Sunrise” as a shadow play for the school and for the deaf community. The production, a collaboration between the school’s drama and American Sign Language departments, centers on the story of a young deaf boy. 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. Free (ticket must be reserved in advance). Fort Bend Christian Academy North Campus Gym, 1250 Seventh St., Sugar Land. 281-263-9175. www.fortbendchristian.org/the-taste-of-sunrise

DEC. 4: SUGAR LAND TREE LIGHTING

As of press time, the city of Sugar Land still plans to hold its annual tree lighting event Dec. 4, although city officials said the event will look different this year in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. More details have yet to be announced. Sugar Land Town Square, 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land. 281-275-2825. https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/918/christmas-tree-lighting