Five Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 16

1. Film festival. The will host the International Pancake Film Festival today for The doors open tonight at 7 p.m. and the video program will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by fun until 10 p.m. Complimentary pancakes will be served during the free event!

2. Sing! The will host a Community Messiah Sing event tonight with the Christmas section of Handel's Messiah and the Hallelujah Chorus. All voices are welcome at the free event, which starts at 7:30 p.m. 

3. Big: The Musical. Have you checked out the latest performance at the ? The theatre group is currently performing Big: The Musical Thursday-Sunday. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m. (Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.) and the show runs until Dec. 30. Tickets are $27-$32 and are available online. 

4. Win $100,000 for Newton schools! Patch's Deck the House contest can help you to win $100,000 for Newton Public Schools! To enter, just decorate your house, submit a photo here and get your friends to vote for you! If you are one of 24 Patch-wide finalists, you will receive $500 toward your December electric bill. If you are the overall, grand prize winner, Newton Public Schools will receive $100,000!

5. Toys for Tots. The Massachusetts State Police announced via Twitter yesterday that because of a shortage of toys in their Toys for Tots collection, they've extended the donation deadline to Monday (Dec. 19). New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any State Police barracks.