'Behold,' digitally enhanced original photograph by Brandon Sawaya, on display at Shanahan Gallery.

The night of Saturday, Dec. 9, promises to be a festive one as downtown Astoria galleries and merchants host art events and stay open until 8 p.m., serving up holiday treats along with specials and an opportunity to complete your shopping, local style.

At the Shanahan Gallery, Santa will be making an appearance. Children can get their picture taken with Santa and get prints made.

RiverSea Gallery features its “Gifts from the Studio” exhibit opening with works from regional artists. There will be good cheer and retro jazz holiday tunes by keyboardist Stan Miller, with vocal sets by Dinah Urell.

Lunar Boy Gallery opens its winter exhibit, “The Effulgent Gloaming,” featuring the fantastical works of Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley. Enjoy hot buttered rum, yummy eats, door prizes and a personal appearance by the artist.

Holly McHone Jewelry will be featuring new jewelry designs by Holly McHone and line of jewelry by designer Caroline Ballou. There will be champagne tasting hosted by The Cellars on 10th and acoustic guitar music by David Drury.

The Shanahan Gallery, 1296 Commercial St., opens its holiday show with a gala from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Featured is the photo-art of Brandon Sawaya, the photography and wit of Don Frank, Astoria photography by Elleda Wilson, watercolors by Philip Mancill and hand-fused glass ornaments by Linda Fowler.

Children of all ages are invited to have their photo taken with Santa by photographer James Olson of Alderbrook Imaging. Santa will be visiting the gallery from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 21 and 22. For $8, you will receive a 5″ x 7″ print in a holiday display folder. Larger prints and other photo packages will also be available.

RiverSea Gallery celebrates the opening of its December show, “Gifts from the Studio,” with a gala holiday party from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

While exploring the plethora of art on display, meet up with neighbors and friends and enjoy sweet treats, good cheer and retro jazz holiday tunes by keyboardist Stan Miller, with vocal sets by Dinah Urell.

“Gifts from the Studio” features an array of art for giving, including small works, unusual finds and seasonal items from the studios of regional artists. Discover new selections of designer jewelry, handmade ornaments, art glass, ceramics, woodworking, sculpture, notecards and books, along with paintings, photography and prints.

RiverSea Gallery is located at 1160 Commercial St. The gallery features contemporary North Coast and Northwest artists, with original fine art and fine craft in all media and distinctive designer jewelry. Regular business hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, with extended holiday hours to 7 p.m. Fridays until Christmas. For more information, call the gallery at (503) 325-1270.

Holly McHone Jewelry, 1150 Commercial St., features several new pieces on display by McHone, a local jewelry artist who will have several new pieces on display. “The gemstones themselves inspired these new pieces,” she says. The exhibit includes a ring set with a fabulous Spessartite (orange) garnet accented with sparkling diamonds.

There will also be a new line of creative silver jewelry by Caroline Ballou. Since 1886, four generations of the Ballou family have made their company one of Rhode Island’s most important manufacturers of fine jewelry. As a young designer, Caroline took a different course. After receiving her MFA, she opened her own studio, producing art jewelry for galleries. She hosts private shows with limited edition pieces and has received several design awards.

The evening also includes champagne tasting hosted by The Cellar on 10th, music by David Drury and in-store promotions.

Art and holidays go hand in hand at Lunar Boy Gallery, 1133 Commercial St.. Make it an evening out on the town Saturday, as Lunar Boy opens its winter exhibit, “The Effulgent Gloaming,” featuring the fantastical works of Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley.

Dolphin-Kingsley’s paintings have been a favorite of many patrons over the past two years, with individual pieces making strong impressions in the gallery’s group shows. This is her first solo show at Lunar Boy, and the work is as magical as the title is intriguing, said owner Deborah Starr. Her paintings are executed in watercolor and ink and are often hand embellished with sequins and glitter.

“When I was a child,” Dolphin-Kingsley writes, “it wasn’t the slick, jolly images of Christmas that captivated me – the candy canes, red-cheeked Santas, shopping and shiny bows. The magic was in what occurred outside the dark windows in the night, in the quiet snow, in my imagination – unseen, under twinkly stars.”

From 6 to 9 p.m., Lunar Boy Gallery will be serving up beverages, treats and a slew of new and imaginative merchandise perfect for stockings. Door prizes will abound and the artist will be making a personal appearance.